In a heartfelt letter addressed to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Ayurvedacharya Lenin Raghuvanshi commends the exemplary leadership demonstrated by the Prime Minister and underscores the transformative impact of his initiatives on public health and local food traditions.
The author expresses gratitude for the Prime Minister’s dedication during the challenging COVID-19 pandemic and shares a personal experience of battling the virus, which led to a deep realization of the critical role proper nutrition plays in building immunity and maintaining health.
Raghuvanshi highlights the detrimental effects of processed foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, underscoring their contribution to obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
The author stresses the need to address this issue to safeguard the health of India’s youth and children. India’s dual challenge of undernutrition and obesity is discussed, along with the distressing statistics of obese and stunted children in the country.
The author acknowledges the efforts of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) in proposing the ‘Indian Nutrition Rating’ (INR) system for front-of-package labeling (FOPL). However, Raghuvanshi advocates for a more transparent warning label system focusing on nutrients of concern—fat, sugar, and salt. This approach, the author argues, would effectively curb the consumption of harmful foods and improve public health outcomes.
Raghuvanshi emphasizes the potential of FOPL to reduce healthcare costs and enhance overall well-being, urging the FSSAI to make FOPL mandatory for all packaged food products.
The importance of tailoring the nutrient profile model to India’s unique health needs is highlighted, with an emphasis on implementing warning labels rather than health star ratings. The author contends that this approach would provide clear, easily interpretable information to consumers.
In closing, Raghuvanshi appeals to Prime Minister Modi to champion the cause of public health by supporting the implementation of a robust FOPL regulation with warning labels. This action, the author believes, will not only elevate India’s global standing in health and nutrition but also inspire other nations to follow suit.
The letter underscores the urgency of addressing India’s nutritional challenges and calls for decisive action to guide consumers toward healthier food choices, ultimately contributing to a healthier and fitter nation.
Feature image provided by author.