With an ongoing epidemic of misinformation, it is easy to get lost in the sea of clickbait news cycle, feeding off of our collective health anxiety! The latest victim? Your favourite samosas and jalebis! This week, the internet has collectively decided that samosas and jalebis are public enemy no. 1, deeming them as dangerous as cigarettes! But where did this brouhaha originate, and is there some truth to this advisory? Let’s find out!
So, what does the public advisory say?
The Union Health Ministry's official health advice constituted the foundation of this outrageous allegation. The purpose of the advice was straightforward: to bring attention to the link between the use of ultra-processed foods and the alarming increase in the prevalence of non-communicable illnesses like diabetes and obesity. However, the paper failed to make any reference to particular dishes, like as samosas or jalebis. Despite this, a number of news outlets and social media users cherry-picked and reshaped the message. Indian street cuisine was supposedly in danger before the story quickly veered off course. Posts warning about potential cigarette-style branding on holiday sweets went viral, adding momentum to an already partially true story.
Politicians react to the latest advisory on Indian snacks
Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal, entered Monday's controversy by declaring that her state's administration will not follow the federal government's recommendation advising against fatty and sugary meals. There was a social media frenzy when news broke that the Union health ministry was going after street food in India, prompting her to make her comments.
“Some media have reported that apparently samosas/jalebis cannot be consumed from now on, based on instructions from the Health Ministry. This is not a notification from the Government of West Bengal. We are not interfering in every matter. We shall not implement this,” the chief minister opined via X. “I think samosas and jalebis are popular in other states also. People in those states also love these food items. Let us not interfere with people’s food habits.” Banerjee continued.
PIB shuts down the claims
The PIB clearly stated that the advisory was 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". PIB's description of the government's broad warning was that the advice encourages individuals to adopt better food and lifestyle choices, such as reducing their intake of sugar and oil, and promotes healthier alternatives and efforts in the workplace. It doesn't want to undermine India's vibrant street food culture, the PIB said.
They also expanded on the advice and offered further clarification. The health ministry has issued an order requiring the posting of warnings for certain items in cafeterias and public locations; the first city to comply with this order is Nagpur, and several stories have indicated that this would soon happen. In addition, the ministry allegedly directed the installation of "oil and sugar boards"—colourful placards that reveal the amount of concealed sugar and fat in common snacks—at all central institutions, including AIIMS Nagpur. As a first phase, it addresses junk food similarly to cigarette addiction. The administration at AIIMS Nagpur has also verified receipt of the circular and is getting ready to post these notices in various public areas and cafeterias. Worrying statistics were also referenced in the official government letter: India can become the second-biggest obesity hotspot in the world by 2050, with over 44.9 crore people being overweight or obese.
Beyond the clickbait, does India have an obesity problem?
Yes, there has been a dramatic increase in lifestyle-related disorders in India. Yes, dietary restrictions are becoming increasingly widespread over the world. However, these recommendations are meant to encourage thoughtful eating and not force someone to give up their favourite foods, such as chai-time samosas or Diwali mithais. Discouragement of packaged junk food is one thing, and labelling Grandma's laddoos as a public health danger is another. Overindulgence and the rise of ultra-processed alternatives to home-cooked meals are the real problems, not tradition. You may feel at ease knowing that you no longer need to hide your jalebis in brown paper bags. According to the Health Ministry's advisory, your cherished Indian delicacies are not officially associated with smoking. The Health Ministry's warning does not officially link your beloved Indian delicacies to smoking.