Indian packaged foods are the least healthy among the 12 countries: survey



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Researchers at the George Institute for Global Health, Oxford University, have ranked India's healthiest packaged foods and beverages among the least healthy in the world.

Published in the journal Obesity Reviews, the study measured levels of calories and nutrients such as sugar, salt, saturated fat, calcium, protein and fiber using the Australian Health Star Rating System, with a score of 5 being the healthiest.

The UK comes first in the survey with a score of 2.83 for health. The United States and Australia rank second and third. India had the lowest score (2.27), followed by China (2.43) and Chile (2.44).

While packaged foods and beverages in India were the most energy dense with an average Kg / 100g kilojoule content, South African foods were the least energy dense at 1044 KJ / 100g. Packaged Indian beverages contained too much salt and sugar, with sugar being the highest in India and 56% higher than in Australia, the country with the lowest sugar level. Similarly, sodium levels in beverages were five times higher in India than in Australia. For bread and bakery products, Health Star scores were 32% lower in India compared to Australia.

"On a global scale, we are all consuming more and more processed foods. This is a matter of concern because the shelves of our supermarkets are full of products rich in bad fats, sugar and salt, which can make us sick. Our results show that some countries are doing a better job than others, "said Dr. Elizabeth Dunford, lead author of the study. "Unfortunately, it is the poorest countries that are least able to cope with the adverse health consequences of the most unhealthy foods."

The study concluded that Chinese and Indian packaged foods had the highest levels of saturated fat, sugar, and energy density – a finding that is consistent with previous research in 2017 that highlighted the unhealthy nature of packaged foods sold by consumers. 11 major Indian food companies. He also noted that India and China are experiencing a "nutrition transition": national nutrition surveys over the last few decades have shown that consumption patterns shift from traditional diets based on fruits, vegetables, from unprocessed grains and legumes to increasingly dominant diets. processed packaged foods and beverages ".

Prof. Vivekanand Jha, executive director of the George Institute for Global Health, India, said the results of this research had sounded the alarm for countries like India, including the packaged food industry was in full swing. "Policymakers and the food industry must work together to reformulate their products to reduce the growing risk of obesity and its consequences," he said.

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