Health Ministry rejects media reports of directing Warning Labels on street food products

The Health Ministry has rejected the media reports which claimed that the Ministry has directed to issue warning labels on food products such as samosa, jalebi and laddoo. In a statement, the Ministry said, These media reports are misleading, incorrect, and baseless. It said, the Ministry had separately issued an advisory which is an initiative towards making healthier choices at work places. It advises about display of Boards in various workplaces such as lobbies, canteens, cafeterias, meeting rooms to raise awareness on harmful consumption of hidden fats and excess sugar in various food items. These Boards are meant to serve as daily reminders on fighting obesity, the burden of which is sharply rising in the country. It said, the Health Ministry Advisory does not direct Warning Labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks. It does not target India’s rich street food culture.