NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the government's fact-checking wing, on Tuesday said that the Union health ministry did not advise vendors to carry warning labels on relished Indian snacks and desserts like samosas, jalebi, and laddoo.
"The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks. Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo," the PIB posted on X.
The PIB called the government's issue a general advisory a "behavioural nudge to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product".
"The advisory is for healthier options and initiatives at workplaces and urges people to make healthier choices to cut down on excess oil and sugar towards healthy eating and living. It does not target India's rich street food culture," the PIB added.
The PIB clarification comes after several reports claimed that Cafeterias and public areas will soon display warnings for these foods, after an order from the health ministry, with Nagpur being the first to follow this directive.
The reports further claimed that the ministry ordered all central institutions, including AIIMS Nagpur, to install "oil and sugar boards" - vivid posters spelling out how much hidden fat and sugar lurk in everyday snacks. It's a first step toward treating junk food like tobacco.
Even officials at AIIMS Nagpur confirmed they received the circular and are preparing to roll out these boards across cafeterias and public spaces.
The government letter also pointed to alarming numbers: Over 44.9 crore Indians could be overweight or obese by 2050, making India the world's second-largest hub of obesity.
In cities, already one in five adults is overweight. The rising tide of childhood obesity, fuelled by poor diets and sedentary lifestyles is adding to the worry.
"The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by vendors, and has not been selective towards Indian snacks. Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo," the PIB posted on X.
Some media reports claim that the @MoHFW_INDIA has issued a health warning on food products such as samosas, jalebi, and laddoo.#PIBFactCheck
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) July 15, 2025
✅This claim is #fake
✅The advisory of the Union Health Ministry does not carry any warning labels on food products sold by vendors,… pic.twitter.com/brZBGeAgzs
The PIB called the government's issue a general advisory a "behavioural nudge to make people aware of hidden fats and excess sugar in all food products, and not specifically to any particular food product".
"The advisory is for healthier options and initiatives at workplaces and urges people to make healthier choices to cut down on excess oil and sugar towards healthy eating and living. It does not target India's rich street food culture," the PIB added.
The PIB clarification comes after several reports claimed that Cafeterias and public areas will soon display warnings for these foods, after an order from the health ministry, with Nagpur being the first to follow this directive.
The reports further claimed that the ministry ordered all central institutions, including AIIMS Nagpur, to install "oil and sugar boards" - vivid posters spelling out how much hidden fat and sugar lurk in everyday snacks. It's a first step toward treating junk food like tobacco.
Even officials at AIIMS Nagpur confirmed they received the circular and are preparing to roll out these boards across cafeterias and public spaces.
The government letter also pointed to alarming numbers: Over 44.9 crore Indians could be overweight or obese by 2050, making India the world's second-largest hub of obesity.
In cities, already one in five adults is overweight. The rising tide of childhood obesity, fuelled by poor diets and sedentary lifestyles is adding to the worry.
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