New Delhi, Jul 20: The Union Health Ministry has issued a strong clarification dismissing recent media reports claiming that traditional Indian snacks like samosa, jalebi, and laddoo would require warning labels. Terming such claims “misleading, incorrect, and baseless,” the Ministry emphasized that no directives have been issued targeting specific food products sold by vendors or relating to India’s vibrant street food culture.

The confusion stemmed from a workplace-focused advisory issued as part of the Ministry’s efforts under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD).

The advisory encourages organizations to display informative boards in common areas like lobbies, canteens, and meeting rooms to raise awareness about hidden fats and excess sugar consumption, especially in ultra-processed and packaged foods. It aims to nudge healthier choices and tackle the rising burden of obesity, diabetes, and hypertension in India.

The Ministry underscored that this advisory is not a regulatory instruction but a behavioural intervention. It includes suggestions like promoting fruits, vegetables, and low-fat meals, as well as encouraging physical activity by using stairs, organizing short exercise breaks, and facilitating walking routes at work.

The clarification serves to quell concerns among food lovers and vendors who feared unnecessary scrutiny on culturally significant snacks. The initiative, officials say, is a broad public health campaign — not an attack on tradition — and aims to promote balanced choices through gentle awareness.

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