Processed food is a common dietary item, often containing additives like sugar, salt, and fat. Ultra-processed food, however, goes a notch higher with five or more extra ingredients added to the original product. These ingredients – which include emulsifiers, colours, flavour enhancers – are designed to extend the shelf life and taste of the food, as well as make it easier to consume. An example of ultra-processed food takes shape when atta is used to make cookies with several other ingredients, moving it from its original raw form.
The Hazards of Ultra-Processed Food
Ultra-processed foods pose health risks making them unsuitable for regular or substantial consumption. High levels of salt, sugar and fat in these processed foods can cause obesity, hypertension, cardiac issues and lifestyle diseases. More so, the artificial chemicals incorporated into these foods can negatively impact gut health with imbalances potentially causing neurological issues, stress, mood swings and obesity. The fast absorption of these ultra-processed foods by the body, coupled with their addictive qualities due to taste enhancers, makes them detrimental to overall health.
Growth and Trends in Ultra-Processed Food Sector
Recent reports have shown that India’s Ultra-Processed Food Sector has been growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.37 % in retail sales value, from 2011 to 2021. The Covid-19 pandemic did cause a temporary drop in the annual growth rate in 2019 from 12.65% to 5.50% in 2020 but the sector rebounded remarkably with an 11.29% growth recorded in 2020-2021. The most popular ultra-processed food categories were chocolate and sugar confectionery, salty snacks, beverages, ready-made and convenient foods, and breakfast cereals. Particularly, beverages held the highest share in retail sales volume.
Shifting Consumption Patterns
Though health-conscious consumers shifted from carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages to fruit and vegetable juices during the pandemic, this shift does not guarantee healthier consumption as these alternative beverages may also contain high levels of free sugars.
Recommendations for Better Dietary Choices
Stricter advertising and marketing regulations, clearer definitions of High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) foods and linking tax structures with HFSS food definitions are some of the proposed recommendations to mitigate the health risks posed by ultra-processed foods. Alongside, a comprehensive national nutrition policy that addresses both under- and over-nutrition is needed. The report also stresses the importance of reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods and increasing the intake of whole grains.
Promoting Healthy Lifestyle: Government Initiatives
The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, PM-POSHAN Scheme and Fit India Movement are some of the government initiatives aimed at promoting healthier lifestyles among the Indian population.
Mega Food Parks: A Catalyst for Agro-based Food Processing Industries
The concept of “Mega Food Parks” has been promoted by the Government of India to provide good infrastructure facilities for the food processing industry and to increase the processing of perishable items while reducing wastage. These parks link agricultural production to the market, maximizing value addition, minimizing wastage, and increasing farmers’ income.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Food Processing Sector
While aspartame, an artificial sweetener, offers a low-calorie alternative in food items, it’s several times sweeter than table sugar. Despite providing calories like other amino acids, food items made with a small amount of aspartame yield fewer calories upon oxidation. The challenge remains to encourage more extensive use of such alternatives, and in doing so, usher in income growth for farmers. The food processing sector offers immense potential for boosting farmers’ income if the hurdles are dealt with effectively.
