It is that time of the year when a little indulgence from your side is justified, after all, festivals are times when you forget about your calorie count and make merry with food ( mostly junk) and beverages. So, perhaps this article may seem like a spoiler, but hey, it is always good to watch what you eat. And government has decided to help you in that. Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan is ‘Pushing for stricter food safety practice,he talked about a statutory warning ‘not healthy food’ on junk food packets like chips on the lines of cigarette packs. The Minister said he will write to the Health Minister on this issue. He says, “In some countries, it is written on the label of junk foods are healthy or not. We do not. We have received suggestions if cigarette pack can carry a warning ‘it is injurious to health’, then why not ‘not healthy food’ warning on junk foods,” Paswan said after announcing “antibiotics’ off the menu” as theme of this year’s World Consumer Rights Day. Many see it as a welcome step. Dietitians, parents, teachers and social activists see it as positive, and a future deterrent for consumers. ” This should have been implemented a few years ago, most western societies are fighting the menace called junk food, but better late than never,” says Moumita Chakraborty, a Dietitian. Echoing similar sentiments a parent adds, “Though many schools have started to discourage junk food by scraping them off their menu, but a statutory warning will always help,” says Krishna Das, mother of two.
A world view
A recent survey gives out shocking figures, making everyone think. The survey showed that 25 percent of Taiwanese children eat junk food every week. It showed that 25.2 percent of respondents on a weekly basis eat foods that are unsuitable for long-term consumption by children. While 68 percent drink sugary beverages at least once a week, 58.4 percent eat packaged snacks, such as crackers and cookies, at least once a week, the poll showed. n addition, 43.5 percent eat pastries, such as doughnuts, at least once a week, and 34.6 percent eat sausages or hot dogs at least once a week. It also reveals that the children are unaware of most vegetables that exist in the market, theydo not eat well, possibly due to a lack of food education.
Another country, known for high consumption of junk food, and also has the reputation of housing a sizeable obsese populace has announced a deterrent, as some would call it. George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced that the UK would start taxing sugary drinks. The tax will be introduced in two years and is expected to raise an estimated £520 million ($730 million) in its first year. Not only that, they are also thinking of banning of junk food advertisements from children’s content streamed online.
Scene closer home
Delhi government is also doing its bit against junk food, it has directed schools to sensitize students and parents about ill effects of foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) during morning assemblies, teacher interactive periods, school activities, parent teacher meetings, etc.
Pointing out the adverse effects of each of the constituents of HFSS, as advocated by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Directorate of Education here has suggested various measures that school heads can adopt to create awareness among students. Not only Delhi, Odisha has also joined hands to fight the common demon. Following a direction from the Centre, Odisha government has imposed ban on sale of junk foods in the vicinity of all schools including both government and private. The school and mass education department has issued a circular to all district education officers on the types of food to be available in school canteens and near the school premises. Action will be taken against headmasters of schools where the guidelines will be flouted. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had imposed similar ban in its affiliated schools too.
*Your valuable comments can be helpful to junk the junk food and make your life a bit more healthy.
by Dr. Arvind Kumar President India Water Foundation
