Consumption of foods high in fats, salt, and sugar in India: Prevalence, patterns, and policy imperatives

Avinash Kishore and Suman Chakrabarti

from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Abstract: Calorie-dense foods high in saturated fats, salt, and sugar (HFSS) now account for nearly one-fifth of household food budgets in India, with US$62 billion spent on these foods in 2023/24. This surpasses spending on fruits, vegetables, pulses, eggs, fish, and meat in both rural and urban India. • Consumption of HFSS foods is near universal: 96 percent of households consumed packaged ultraprocessed foods, 90 percent purchased paid meals, and 70 percent consumed sugary drinks. • Many widely consumed HFSS foods are home-cooked or bought from unregulated vendors, limiting the impact of regulations designed to reduce consumption, such as taxes or labeling. • Effective policy requires integrated tools, including front-of-package labeling, nutrition education, and engagement with informal vendors to curb rising HFSS demand and mitigate health risks including obesity and diabetes.

Keywords: food consumption; diet; fats; salts; sugar; policies; nutritive value; India; Asia; Southern Asia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-12
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