WEBINAR ON 

Sharing Findings of a New Study Published from India and Updates on the FOPL Policy 

Dated: 16th September 2022 Time: 4:00 pm-5:30 pm (IST)

 

 

Organised by:    

Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest - India (NAPi)

Background

The evidence is mounting on the harms on human health caused by the increased consumption of ultra-processed food products (UPFs), which are mostly high in sugar, salt or saturated fats. It makes a compelling case for a policy to reduce consumption of such products and minimize diet related non-communicable diseases. (NCDs)

 Several studies and reviews confirm that intake of UPFs leads to over consumption, high versus low consumption of ultra-processed diets has been found to be associated with chronic diseases like overweight, type-2 diabetes, cancers, hypertension, heart disease and all cause mortality. People who consumed 10% increased UPFs in their diet had a 15% greater chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

In addition, a recent review published in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology describes the mechanistic association between the consumption of UPF and chronic medical conditions, especially those involving the gut microbiome. A Cohort study (UK Bio bank) shows association of UPF intake and Covid-19 disease. Studies also reveal the link of consumption of ultra-processed food with dementia, anxiety and depression. Latest among the evidence is from a new cohort study that shows after controlling for a broad range of potential confounders and the intake of critical nutrients, a higher intake of UPF was associated with a higher risk of CVD and all-cause mortality.

As the country is moving towards developing a policy for front of pack labelling on unhealthy food products, a new peer reviewed study has been published on this subject. The study is titled “Front-of-Package Labels on Unhealthy Packaged Foods in India: Evidence from a Randomized Field Experiment”.( Nutrients 2022, 14, 3128.) The study has been conducted under the leadership of Dr. SK Singh, Professor and Head, Department of Survey Research and Data Analytics, International Institute for Population Sciences, an autonomous organisation of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.The objective was to test whether FOPLs helped Indian consumers identify “high-in” packaged foods and reduce intentions to purchase them.

With this background, the Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi is pleased to organise a presentation of the study by the lead author of the study, which will be followed by comments and questions.