In a major health-focused initiative, the Indian government is set to roll out cigarette-style health warnings for some of the country’s most beloved snacks — including samosas, jalebis, pakoras, vada pav, and chai-time biscuits. The Union Health Minister urged all ministries, department and autonomous bodies to display warnings on snacks like samosa, Kachodi, vadapav and jalebi.
This move aims to tackle India’s growing epidemic of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart conditions by highlighting the hidden dangers of frequently consumed deep-fried and sugary foods.
Pilot Project Launching in Nagpur
The campaign will launch first at AIIMS Nagpur, which has selected as the model site for the initiative. Bright, eye-catching “oil and sugar boards” will soon appear in cafeterias and public food zones across the campus. These posters will clearly display the levels of sugar, oil, and trans fats in common snacks, along with warnings about their long-term health risks — similar to those found on tobacco packaging.
The Urgent Health Context on Indian Snacks
India is currently facing a severe health crisis driven by poor dietary habits. Studies predict that by 2050, around 440 million Indians could be overweight or obese, according to global health journal The Lancet.
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) conducted between 2019 and 2021, over one in five adults living in urban areas in India are either overweight or obese. The data reveals that 24% of Indian women and 23% of Indian men fall into this category.
Alarmingly, there has also been a noticeable rise in childhood obesity — the percentage of children under the age of five who are overweight increased from 2.1% in the previous survey to 3.4%, indicating growing health concerns from an early age.
The frequent consumption of calorie-dense street food, often rich in hidden fats and sugars, is a major contributor to this alarming trend. The new warnings intended to push consumers toward better dietary choices through awareness rather than restriction.
In the 119th episode of Mann Ki Baat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the growing obesity crisis in India, emphasizing that obesity cases have doubled in recent years. He stressed the urgent need to address this rising health concern across the country.
As a simple yet impactful step, the Prime Minister urged citizens to reduce their cooking oil consumption by 10%, promoting healthier eating habits as a way to combat lifestyle-related diseases.
What’s Changing?
At locations like AIIMS Nagpur, you’ll soon see:
- Warning posters beside food stalls
- Nutritional breakdowns showing sugar, fat, and trans fat levels
- Messages about long-term health risks from excessive consumption
Not a Ban on Indian Snacks– Just Informed Eating
The government has made it clear: this is not a ban. Traditional Indian snacks will still be available — but now, people will know exactly what they’re eating.
The goal is to encourage moderation, not eliminate cultural favorites from the menu.
Looking Ahead
The initiative is expected to expand to other cities and institutions across India in the coming months. Officials hope this visual awareness campaign will spark a nationwide shift toward healthier food choices — one warning label at a time.
With a simple glance at a cafeteria wall, the government hopes to influence how India eats, and ultimately, how healthy the country becomes.
