Samosas, jalebis join cigarettes on health alert list, to carry warnings soon: Report
Nagpur: In a bid to combat rising obesity, the health ministry has ordered that popular deep-fried snacks like samosas and jalebis soon carry health warnings, much like cigarette packs, to alert consumers about their hidden fat and sugar content, The Times of India reported on Monday.
Central health institutions like AIIMS Nagpur have reportedly been directed to install “oil and sugar boards” in public spaces, including cafeterias, to display visual warnings on the calorie, sugar, and trans fat content of popular snacks. AIIMS Nagpur officials confirmed receiving the directive, noting that implementation will begin shortly.
"It's the beginning of food labelling becoming as serious as cigarette warnings. Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco. People deserve to know what they're eating," TOI quoted Amar Amale, president of Cardiological Society of India's Nagpur chapter, as saying.
The move comes amid growing alarm over lifestyle diseases in India. Health experts point to sugar and trans fats as major contributors to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
"This is not about banning food. But if people knew that one gulab jamun might contain five teaspoons of sugar, they might think twice before going for seconds," TOI quoted senior diabetologist Sunil Gupta as saying.
An internal government note underscores the urgency of the campaign, with projections suggesting that over 44.9 crore Indians could be overweight or obese by 2050, potentially making India the world’s second-most obese nation.
Nagpur will be among the first cities to implement the visual advisory system. Near every tempting snack, a colourful sign will watch over: "Eat wisely. Your future self will thank you," added the report.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
