New Delhi [India], July 15 : After some media reports claimed that Indian snacks like Samosa, Jalebis, etc will carry health warnings, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Tuesday issued a fact check stating that display of 'Sugar' and 'Oil' boards is general advisory to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product.
It further clarified that the advisory of the Union Health Ministry has not been "selective" towards Indian snacks and does not "target" India's rich street food culture.
In a social media post on X, the PIB Fact Check wrote, "Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo. This claim is fake. The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks."
https://x.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1945080930554552534
Another social media posts reads, "The general advisory is a behavioural nudge to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product."
https://x.com/PIBFactCheck/status/1945080933675360706
The PIB called it an initiative to urge people to make healthier choices to cut down on excess oil and sugar towards healthy eating and living.
"The advisory is for healthier options and initiatives at workplaces and urges people to make healthier choices to cut down on excess oil and sugar towards healthy eating and living. It does not target India's rich street food culture," it added.
In a major push to promote healthier lifestyles and combat the rise of obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases like diabetes and heart disease among others, the Union Health Ministry has proposed to prominently display boards indicating the amount of oil and sugar content in popular food items, such as pizzas and burgers as well as samosas, vada paav, kachori among others, in schools, offices, institutions in various Departments/Offices/autonomous bodies and organisations.