Economic survey proposes ban on junk food ads to fight obesity

The Economic Survey 2026 has recommended a ban on advertisements of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) from 6 am to 11 pm across all media, including digital platforms, to curb rising obesity in India. The pre-Budget document flagged growing consumption of high-fat, salt, and sugar foods, noting alarming trends in obesity. Among children under five, excess weight rose from 2.1% in 2015-16 to 3.4% in 2019-21, and over 3.3 crore children were obese in 2020, a figure projected to reach 8.3 crore by 2035. Among adults, 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese, with 6.4% of women aged 15-49 obese and 4% of men overweight.

The survey identified ultra-processed foods as a major contributor to these rising obesity rates and associated chronic diseases. It also called for front-of-pack nutrition labeling, restrictions on marketing of infant and toddler milk, and policies ensuring trade agreements do not compromise public health measures. International examples such as the UK, Chile, and Norway, where advertising restrictions have successfully reduced exposure to unhealthy foods, were cited.

Experts say the proposed measures could reduce children’s exposure to junk food marketing, encourage healthier eating habits, raise public awareness through clear nutrition labels, slow the rise of obesity and related diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions, and pressure manufacturers to reformulate products to meet health standards.

The survey emphasized a multi-pronged approach , combining regulation, education, and promotion of healthier foods, to tackle the growing burden of obesity and non-communicable diseases in India.