A new Lancet series warns of the rapid rise in ultra-processed food consumption in India, linking it to surging obesity and diabetes rates. Sales of these foods have increased 40-fold since 2006, coinciding with doubled obesity prevalence. Experts urge immediate policy reforms to curb marketing and improve labeling.
An 18-year-old named Ravi weighs 165 kg and struggles with obesity since childhood, compounded by high blood sugar and borderline cholesterol. His daily diet includes pancakes with syrup, ice cream, chips, 200 ml of sugary beverages, burgers, and frozen pizza—all ultra-processed foods containing high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, preservatives, and excessive sugar, salt, and fat. These foods have altered his brain's reward-seeking behavior, making him addicted.
The Lancet's latest three-paper series, authored by 43 global experts, highlights how ultra-processed foods are overtaking traditional diets worldwide, including in India. Dr. Arun Gupta, co-author and convenor of Nutrition Advocacy for Public Interest, states: “This worrisome shift is fuelling obesity and other non-communicable diseases. India must act immediately to take action and cut the consumption of ultra-processed foods to halt obesity and diabetes in the coming years.”
Ultra-processed foods undergo multiple industrial processes with manufactured ingredients for convenience and long shelf life. Examples include soft drinks, chips, chocolate, ice cream, sweetened cereals, packaged soups, chicken nuggets, hotdogs, fries, and ready-to-heat meals.
In India, retail sales of these foods surged from $0.9 billion in 2006 to nearly $38 billion in 2019, a 40-fold increase, as obesity rates doubled. According to 2023 ICMR-INDIAB data, 28.6% of Indians have obesity, 11.4% diabetes, 15.3% prediabetes, and 39.5% abdominal obesity. Childhood obesity rose from 2.1% in 2016 to 3.4% in 2019-21, per National Family Health Survey data.
These foods are linked to 12 health conditions, including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and premature death. Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker notes: “People consuming ultra-processed foods generally end up having at least 500 calories more per day... converted to fat around the abdomen.”
Aggressive marketing and celebrity endorsements dominate shelves with namkeens, noodles, biscuits, and sugary drinks, affecting urban and rural youth. Prof. K. Srinath Reddy explains that ultra-processed foods displace fiber-rich natural foods, altering gut microbes, inflammation, and hormones like GLP-1, which regulates satiety and insulin.
Experts call for stronger regulations on production, marketing, and disclosure, including front-of-pack warning labels, traffic light systems, and star ratings to inform consumers about salt, sugar, and fat levels. Dr. Gupta emphasizes distinguishing processed from ultra-processed foods in education and policy.