Comprehensive Coverage of Advocacy Efforts Against Unhealthy Packaged Foods

 The proliferation of packaged foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats has contributed to a rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) across various demographics. According to recent data from The National Family Health Survey (NFHS), NCDs account for a staggering 63% of deaths in India. To address this alarming trend, there's a growing call for Warning Label Front of Package Labeling (FOPL) regulations. FOPL aims to empower consumers by providing clear warnings about the nutritional content of packaged foods, enabling them to make informed choices. Advocates emphasize the urgency of implementing FOPL to mitigate the health risks associated with excessive consumption of unhealthy packaged foods and combat the escalating burden of NCDs.

Addressing Malnutrition and NCDs Among the Musahar Community in Varanasi Post-Covid"

The Musahar community in Annai village, Badagaon block of Varanasi faces grave challenges in the aftermath of Covid-19, notably in child health and nutrition. Economic and governmental breakdowns have left them vulnerable, with children increasingly turning to unhealthy packaged foods like Kurkure, chips, and cream biscuits. This dietary shift, high in salt, sugar, and fat, has resulted in a double burden of malnutrition, leaving them susceptible to non-communicable diseases. Mothers express concern as their children's consumption of these foods leads to severe health issues including liver ailments, cognitive dysfunction, and muteness. Social action groups have intervened, advocating for healthier dietary choices, but financial constraints persist. Urgent policy action is recommended, including Front of Packet Labelling (FOPL) regulations to empower consumers and promote healthier choices amidst a growing epidemic of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases in marginalized communities like the Musahars. Link of story : https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/13/21550/Double-Malnutrition-Worries-Young-Mothers-in-Musahar-Villages

Survey Reveals Alarming Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods Among Dalit Families in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Prompting Urgent Calls for FOPL Regulations

A recent survey conducted in seven blocks across Bihar's Gaya and Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi districts highlights that Dalit families are allocating a significant portion of their income—94%—towards food expenses, with approximately 10-15% of that expenditure going towards processed and packaged foods such as chocolates, carbonated drinks, jellies, biscuits, and chips. This study, encompassing 330 families, indicates a worrying trend of high consumption of ultra-processed foods among rural and marginalized communities, particularly among those with lower literacy levels. The survey, conducted by the Varanasi-based NGO Peoples’ Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and PIPAL (People’s Initiative for Participatory Action on Food Labeling), underscores the widespread prevalence of this issue across various social groups and income levels. The findings, released during a round-table meeting in New Delhi, emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions, such as Front of Package Labelling (FOPL) regulations, to empower consumers and combat the escalating diet-related non-communicable diseases (DR-NCDs) in India. Link of outlook story: https://www.outlookindia.com/national/rural-poor-in-up-bihar-consuming-high-quantities-of-ultra-processed-food-survey-news-272395

https://www.thestatesman.com/lifestyle/health/poor-vulnerable-battling-hunger-exposed-to-unhealthy-ultra-processed-food-study-1503165485.html

 

Three OPED of Shruti Nagvanshi as follows:

·       Advocating Nutritional Rights: Shruti Nagvanshi's Insightful OPED on Potassium and Magnesium in Custard Apple: https://healthofchidren.blogspot.com/2023/12/advocating-nutritional-rights-shruti.html

·       Unlocking Nutritional Rights: The Potassium and Magnesium Powerhouse in Custard Apples and Pomegranates: https://healthofchidren.blogspot.com/2024/01/unlocking-nutritional-rights-potassium.html

·       Cultivating Change: The Role of Kitchen Gardens in Empowering Musahar Communities (OPED): https://healthofchidren.blogspot.com/2023/12/cultivating-change-role-of-kitchen.html

Janjwar Media's Advocacy Against Packaged Food Hazards:

In the realm of JanMitra Nyas, Janjwar Media, with an impressive subscriber base of 130K, recently unveiled a powerful documentary titled "Packaged Food के जहर के खिलाफ देहात की महिलाओं ने उठायी जबर्दस्त आवाज" ("Powerful Voice of Rural Women Against the Poison of Packaged Food") on their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlpMGr9-DYo). Alongside, they have actively disseminated short videos elucidating the adverse effects of packaged food, as seen in their recent upload (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_ExGHsQP9I). Their advocacy transcends platforms, evident in their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/janjwar), which boasts a substantial following of 506K users. Verified profiles of key figures like Lenin Raghuvanshi, Shirin Shabana Khan, and Shruti Nagvanshi on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, in addition to the PIPLA Facebook page of PVCHR, PIPAL, and staff members, consistently share posts advocating for warning labels on unregulated packaged foods to combat the surge in deaths due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This message resonates across various social media channels, including the verified Twitter and Instagram accounts of PVCHR, as well as those of Lenin and Abhimanyu. Furthermore, Mr. Rakesh Ranjan Tripathi's Facebook page and the Brahmin Mahasabha's platform serve as additional avenues for dissemination, complemented by the continual publication and resharing of pertinent content on the PVCHR and PIPAL blogs.

NHRC Directive on Packaged Food Labeling and Failure of Response from Union Health Ministry and FSSAI

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised concerns over the health impacts of packaged foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, urging a response from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) regarding front-of-pack labels. This call to action stemmed from a complaint filed by Shruti Nagvanshi and Shirin Shabana Khan on behalf of the Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR) and the Savitri Bai Phule Mahila Panchayat of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Despite NHRC's directives, the Union Health Ministry and FSSAI failed to respond promptly, prompting NHRC's formation of a full commission to address the issue. Advocates stress the necessity of clear warning labels to combat rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and protect consumers' right to health. Concerns have been raised over FSSAI's proposed India Nutrition Rating (INR), which some argue may mislead consumers. The journey to advocate for healthier food labeling has been met with challenges, including a lack of response from relevant authorities to NHRC's directives. Link: https://www.counterview.net/2023/11/union-health-ministry-fssai-fail-to.html

Link for order: https://counterviewfiles.files.wordpress.com/2023/11/nhrc-order-fopl.pdf

Triumph in Media Engagement: Unveiling the Success of a Comprehensive Campaign on Unhealthy Packaged Foods

We executed a highly successful media engagement strategy, securing coverage from a diverse array of outlets—17 print,1 OPED and 26 digital platforms, to be precise. Our outreach extended far and wide, encompassing renowned national publications such as Kanwhizz Times, Hindustan Times, Jagran, TOI, The Statesman, Outlook India, Sanmarg, Counterview, YKA, NewsClick, and The Hindu Business Line.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) lent significant credence to our press conference by emphasizing its coverage in various news articles, prominently featured in The Statesman, Amit Vichar, and Hindustan Times, both in print and on their respective websites, on November 25th and 26th.

For further validation, the NHRC's official documents on the matter can be accessed via the following links:

• November 25th: Link
• November 26th: Link

MSN, a widely-read platform, also contributed to the dissemination of our message. The news article on NHRC's notice to FSSAI can be found here: Link

Our media outreach left no region untouched, achieving comprehensive coverage across diverse areas, including Uttar Pradesh (UP), Lucknow, Meerut, Bareilly, Delhi, Bihar, Varanasi, Merath, and Bareilly.

Crucially, strategic partnerships with influential media outlets, notably Outlook India, played a pivotal role in amplifying the campaign's reach and impact on a national scale.

The adept utilization of online platforms, encompassing social media, news websites, and YouTube, facilitated the seamless dissemination of information and fostered engagement with a tech-savvy audience.

Noteworthy was the campaign's resonance in eliciting the government's response, prominently featuring warnings from FSSAI and actions taken against spurious products, as extensively covered by Outlook India. Further, Lenin Raghuvanshi's op-ed on the issue provides insightful perspectives, accessible through this link: Link

In summary, our media engagement campaign stands out for its remarkable success in mobilizing a diverse range of outlets, reaching a broad audience, and making a significant impact in raising awareness about critical issues related to unhealthy packaged foods. Link: https://healthofchidren.blogspot.com/2023/12/media-triumph-unveiling-impactful-reach.html