Question : Increased Content of Salt in Fast Food

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether as per the study report of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) the content of salt and trans fat in fast foods/junk foods, chips/namkeen, burger, pizza, preserved foods etc. has been found 90 per cent more than specified standards and if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(b) whether junk food is responsible for heart diseases in the children and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the details of action taken by the Government for violation of FSSAI standards in fast food/junk food, chips /namkeen, burger, pizza, preserved foods including non-printing of warning labels on packets of such products?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has informed that Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) study has alleged that the quantity of salt and fat in the samples tested were higher than the threshold limits proposed in the draft Food Safety and Standards (Labelling & Display) Regulations.

Out of total 33 samples tested in the said study, 19 samples are of ‘prepared food’ where ‘Front- of- Pack’ Labelling is not applicable.As far as pre-packaged food items are concerned, the sample size (14 samples) is too small and cannot be considered as representative of pre-packaged food industry in the country.

(b): As informed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), development of obesity is multi-factorial and eating of junk food and processed food is one of them. Childhood obesity is a risk factor of developing heart diseases and diabetes in later life.
(c): Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has notified the draft of Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2019 on 25thJune, 2019.

Food Business Operator (FBOs) required to use ingredients standardised under various regulations notified by FSSAI. Violation of these attracts penal action. Separate data w.r.t. samples analysed; found non-conforming and action taken for fast food items like chips/namkeen, burger etc. is not available. However, the consolidated data for samples of all kinds of food analysed, found non-conforming and action taken during 2018-19 is as under:

No. of samples analysed No. of samples found non-confirming No. of Civil/
Criminal cases Launched Convictions No. of cases in which Penalties imposed /
Amount raised
1,06,459 30415 21363 701 12734/
32,57,78,087