India

Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsement of Misleading Advertisements, 2022

These Guidelines were introduced in June 2022 by the Central Consumer Protection Authority under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The guidelines prohibits the advertisements of junk foods during a program meant for children or on a channel meant exclusively for children. This applies to all forms, formats, and media however, no definition of junk food is given.

Trans-fat policy

Food Products in which edible oils and fats are used as an ingredient shall not contain industrial trans fatty acids more than 2% by mass of the total oils/fats present in the product, on and from 01st January, 2022.

Trans-fat policy: Food Safety and Standards

It is directed that the enforcement for the TFA limit of 3% by weight shall commence w.e.f. 01st April, 2021 and for such products manufactured on or after 01st April, 2021.

Eat Right Challenge

Interstate challenge. Through regulatory activities, social and behaviour change communication, food safety compliance and preventive healthcare can be ensured. This will assist in : Strengthening food safety through the food regulatory environment, providing safe and healthier food options to citizens and engaging citizens for adoption and demanding healthier diets through social and behaviour change.

Fit India Freedom Run

Fit India Movement is conducting Fit India Freedom Run from 15th August – 2nd October 2020 to encourage fitness and help us all to get freedom from obesity, laziness, stress, anxiety, diseases etc. The concept behind this run is that “It can be run anywhere, anytime!

Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and balanced diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020

Ten-point Charter for Food Supplied to School Children

Plans to introduce traffic light labelling scheme for foods sold in schools

The Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) wants to introduce a traffic light labelling scheme for foods sold in school canteens and vending machines, in a bid to curb consumption of sugary drinks, heavily processed foods and confectionery.

ICMR Guidelines for the management of Type 2 Diabetes

Goods and Service Tax on Sweetened beverages

Since 1 July 2017, there has been a 28% tax on all goods [including aerated waters] containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured. It came into force under the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act 2017.

Management of Obesity in Asian Indians

This review outlines outlines approaches to obesity management in ‘real life mode’ and in context to Asian Indian patients.

National Action Plan and Monitoring Framework for Prevention and Control of NCDs in India

The National Action Plan and Monitoring Framework was developed as a consequence of World Health Organization’s comprehensive Global Monitoring Framework for Prevention and Control of Non-communicable diseases (2013-2020) by setting 9 voluntary targets and 25 voluntary indicators for 2025. India, as a WHO member state, with all the national stakeholders, evaluated the existing NCD surveillance system leading to the establishment of an advisory group that developed National Action Plan and Monitoring Framework for Prevention of NCDs in 2013. This framework has resulted in setting of 10 targets and 21 indicators for 2025 to track the progress of actions designed to prevent and control NCDs in India.

National Nutrition Strategy

The National Nutrition Strategy is committed to ensuring that every child, adolescent girl and woman attains optimal nutritional status- especially those from the most vulnerable communities. The focus is on preventing and reducing undernutrition across the life cycle- as early as possible, especially in the first three years of life. One of the goals is to ensure that there is no increase in childhood overweight.

NCD Country Profiles 2018 (Obesity Targets)

The profiles also provide data on the key metabolic risk factors, namely raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and obesity and National Targets on Obesity (as of 2017)

Mother’s Absolute Affection: Programme for Promotion of Breastfeeding

"Mother’s Absolute Affection" is a nationwide programme of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in an attempt to bring undiluted focus on promotion of breastfeeding and provision of counselling services for supporting breastfeeding through health systems. The programme has been named ‘MAA’ to signify the support a lactating mother requires from family members and at health facilities to breastfeed successfully.

National Multisectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of NCD - India

This coordination mechanism was reported to the WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017

SANKALP: Disha swastha bharat ki (commitment to reduce the noncommunicable diseases in India)

The SANKALP document is a blueprint designed for the country to achieve its goals and targets under the National Action Plan and Monitoring Framework to prevent Non-Communicable Diseases. It defines an evidence based action plan that can be adopted by the government as well as the private sector by focusing on three key areas: Policy and Surveillance, Strengthening of Healthcare Systems and Healthcare Financing.

Consensus Physical Activity Guidelines for Asians Indians

The consensus physical activity guidelines for Asian Indians are a result of the absence of physical activity guidelines specifically for Asian Indians. The genesis of their development lies in the fact that the international physical activity guidelines have been developed based on the data available for the Caucasians. With Asian Indians predisposed to non-communicable diseases at a much early age compared to the Caucasians, the consensus group on physical activity across India formulated these guidelines. These focus on exercise prescription for Indian adults, adolescents and children.

Consensus dietary guidelines for healthy living and prevention of obesity, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and related disorders in Asian Indians.

The consensus dietary guidelines for healthy living and prevention of obesity and other related disorders were developed considering the emergence of diet related non-communicable diseases in the country. These guidelines are applicable to Asian Indians in any geographical setting but are most applicable to individuals residing in the urban and semi urban areas. They focus on reduction in the intake of carbohydrates, preferential intake of complex carbohydrates and low glycemic index foods, higher intake of fibre, lower intake of saturated fats, optimal ratio of essential fatty acids, reduction in trans fatty acids, slightly higher protein intake, lower intake of salt, and restricted intake of sugar.

India Pledge

The India Pledge is a commitment to change food and beverage advertising on TV, print, radio and internet to children under 12. The commitment allows companies to advertise to under-12s only when the promoted products meet "strict science-based nutrition criteria". The Pledge was expanded and extended in 2016. It is voluntary.

Alive & Thrive (Promoting Breastfeeding)

Alive and Thrive (A&T) is an initiative to save lives, prevent illness, and ensure healthy growth and development through optimal maternal nutrition, breastfeeding, and complementary feeding practices.

Consensus Statement for Diagnosis of Obesity, Abdominal Obesity and the Metabolic Syndrome for Asian Indians and Recommendations for Physical Activity, Medical and Surgical Management

This consensus statement was developed to revise the guidelines for diagnosis of obesity, abdominal obesity, the metabolic syndrome, physical activity, and drug therapy and bariatric surgery for obesity for Asian Indians. These revised guidelines were formulated as the existing cut offs for overweight and obesity among Asian Indians was not appropriate as they are predisposed to developing obesity and its co-morbidities at lower cut offs. These guidelines are an evidence based outcome to be used countrywide to control the ever increasing burden of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Nutrient content list: Prevention of Food Adulteration (5th Amendment) Rules

On September 19, 2008, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare implemented the Prevention of Food Adulteration (5th Amendment) Rules that mandate packaged food manufacturers to declare nutritional information on labels, even in the absence of a nutrition or health claim. The rules define which nutrients must be listed and on what basis (eg per 100g/per serving).

The Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security

Members of the Coalition include Government Ministers and senior Government officials, representatives from the Planning Commission, academia, NGOs, national and international development partners, private sector and media representatives. The Coalition serves as a unique platform bringing together key stakeholders to advocate for improved nutrition policies and programs in India.

Dietary guidelines for Indians – a manual.

The dietary guidelines were launched in 1998, with a revised version published in 2011. The guidelines are developed and written by the National Institute of Nutrition but are endorsed by the Ministry of Health.

GNPR 2016-17 (q7) Breastfeeeding promotion and/or counselling

WHO Global Nutrition Policy Review 2016-2017 reported the evidence of breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling (q7)

Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes: National Implementation of the International Code Status Report 2016 (Promotion of Breastfeeding)

The 2016 report provides information on the status of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions (“the Code”) in and by countries. The report also identifies in which countries they actively promote the benefits of breastfeeding.

Nutrition Coalition of India