Govt to roll out ‘Oil & Sugar’ warning boards for samosas, jalebis in central institutions

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has ordered all central government institutions—including AIIMS Nagpur—to install vividly designed “Oil & Sugar Boards” in cafeterias and public areas.

These posters will reveal how much hidden oil and sugar are present in widely consumed Indian snacks like samosas, jalebis, pakoras, laddoos, vada pav, and chai biscuits.

Officials describe the initiative as similar in intent to cigarette-style health warnings, aiming to raise awareness of diet-related health risks such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

The campaign is expected to catalyze behavior change by making nutritional information visible in places where snack consumption is routine.

Experts applaud the move. Dr. Amar Amale, President of the Cardiological Society of India’s Nagpur chapter, commented: “Sugar and trans fats are the new tobacco.

People deserve to know what they’re eating.” Senior diabetologist Dr. Sunil Gupta added: “This is not about banning food. But if people knew that one gulab jamun may contain five teaspoons of sugar, they might think twice.”

A government internal note highlights the urgency: by 2050, over 449 million Indians could be overweight or obese—making India one of the most affected countries in the world.

Currently, 1 in 5 urban adults is overweight, and childhood obesity is increasing rapidly due to poor diet and low physical activity.

The campaign is aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Fit India’ initiative, which calls for healthier lifestyles, including a recommended 10% reduction in cooking oil usage nationwide