The country’s predominant focus on staples like rice and wheat means most diets are high in carbohydrates but low in essential nutrients
India’s rich culinary diversity and deep-rooted agricultural traditions place the country in a unique position to champion the cause of healthy, affordable, and sustainable diets. Food systems aren’t just essential for human sustenance; they play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance. Their importance has, unfortunately, not been highlighted adequately. Given the multifaceted challenges facing our food systems, innovative and contemporary solutions will be the cornerstone of progress in the upcoming years. The large and complex challenges facing our food systems require fresh thinking, making it perhaps one of the most exciting areas to work in during the coming decades. To effectively address the prevailing nutritional challenges, India must direct its attention to several key areas, including:
Food Security vs. Nutrition Security
India, in recent years, has admirably addressed food security challenges, even assisting other nations grappling with the same. However, nutrition security remains elusive. The country’s predominant focus on staples like rice and wheat means most diets are high in carbohydrates but low in essential nutrients. This strategy doesn’t only impact health but has environmental repercussions, leading to overutilization of freshwater resources, soil degradation due to excessive fertilizer application, and dwindling biodiversity. The need of the hour is to diversify agricultural practices and promote a varied diet. It’s vital to aim for a holistic food system that addresses nutrition and environmental sustainability in tandem.
Self-regulation vs. State Regulation
India’s food market, with its fierce competition, often finds businesses at a crossroads between profitability and public health. While there are instances where companies have voluntarily chosen healthier production practices, the temptation to produce high-margin, ultra-processed foods is undeniable. It’s crucial that regulations walk the fine line between fostering a competitive business environment and safeguarding public health.
Root Causes of Nutritional Challenges
The main contributors to undernutrition include a lack of diverse diets, particularly among women and children, leading to intergenerational malnutrition. This isn’t just about calorie intake; it’s the “hidden hunger” caused by micronutrient deficiencies that exacerbates the problem.
Multinational Influence
Global conglomerates, armed with substantial financial clout and sophisticated marketing techniques, have significantly influenced the Indian food market. Their presence has inadvertently pushed local entities to prioritize profitability, sometimes at the cost of health. This intense competition often nudges Indian companies towards producing unhealthier options.
Changing Consumer Behaviour
The past two decades have seen a paradigm shift in Indian consumer preferences. The quest for convenience, driven by a fast-paced lifestyle, has often come at the expense of nutritional value. This trend has been exacerbated by the industry’s keenness to cater to these changing preferences without adequate emphasis on health implications.
Managing Lifestyle Diseases
Poor diets are a significant concern, whether in poverty or wealth; one is because of lack of food, the other due to lack of knowledge of food. While the availability of food has been addressed to an extent, there is a glaring gap in terms of knowledge of food and nutrition. Integrating food literacy in school education is the way forward so that children develop a positive relationship with food and can make informed choices for themselves as they grow up. Comprehensive campaigns, focusing on imparting knowledge about balanced diets, could be a game-changer.
Market Forces and Outcomes
An outright prohibition on certain foods may not be the solution. Instead, cultivating health-centric ecosystems, especially in educational and public spaces, might yield better results. Furthermore, incentivizing companies that prioritize health could drive positive change.
In conclusion, the journey towards healthier, sustainable, and affordable diets in India is complex and undoubtedly challenging. However, with a collective effort from all the stakeholders, this aspiration can certainly become a reality. Tools like the ATNI’s India Index can act as catalysts, propelling companies towards healthier offerings. Such endeavours, when supported and acknowledged by the government, can lead to widespread industry transformation.
(This article is authored by Pawan Agarwal, Head of the Food Future Foundation, former CEO of the FSSAI)
