Affiliations 

  • 1 Independent Public Health Researcher, Jammu & Kashmir, India
  • 2 Professor(Assistant), Department of Community Medicine, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Electronic address: sudipbhattacharya@srhu.edu.in
  • 3 Consultant Nutrition and Dietetics Lakeside Medical Practice, 101 Shellharbour Road, Warilla, New South Wales, 2528, Australia; MSc (Nutrition & Dietetics) UOW, MSc (Honours Biology) University of Wollongong, Msc Zoology, Masters Dementia Care, University of Tasmania, 2020-2023, Australia
Diabetes Metab Syndr, 2022 Feb 03;16(2):102422.
PMID: 35150963 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2022.102422

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) had an inverse impact on the economic stability of many nations all over the globe. We describe and recommend food policy measures to improve food package labelling and global eating patterns for the population to measure secondary prevention and behavioural change.

METHODS: A Literature search was done on standard search engines using key terms like diabetes, food package labelling, labelling laws, etc. RESULTS: Consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods is on the rise because of variable choices at the supermarkets, restaurants, marts, and supermarkets. People who had a 10% increase of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in their diet had a 15% greater chance of developing T2D. This translates to roughly four portions of processed food per day. In India, the consumption of UPF is on the rise, and the related industry is mounting by 40% each year, placing India at 10th place in the fast-food per capita spending figures. Many labelling systems have been proposed and well-designed but with advantages. A trustworthy and helpful FOPL is one that most people will understand clearly and know what is in the food they are buying. It simply discourages the consumers from consuming high-energy, calorie-dense products as they can quickly and effectively identify products that are high in salt, sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, or total fats.

CONCLUSION: Many countries such as Chile, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore have initiated steps to include food labels, especially FOPL, on the food packets. It's the right opportunity for India to introduce an identical replica of the Chilean model.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.