The Nutrition Advocacy for Public Interest, a think tank of experts has urged the Secretary, Government of India seeking the urgent implementation of National Multisectoral Action Plan for Prevention and Control of common non communicable diseases at the earliest.

In a letter addressed to Punya Salina Shrivastava, Secretary, Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the forum of experts on child health, nutrition, epidemiology, community pediatrics, and public policy called for an accelerated implementation of the National Multi-sectoral Action Plan (NMAP) for the Prevention and Control of Common NCDs (2017–22). They had written to the ministry even in November 2024 seeing the same.

“We had emphasized the urgent need for key regulatory measures such as an objective definition of HFSS foods and mandatory interpretative front-of-pack labeling. We are encouraged to note the recently released Economic Survey 2024–25 that anchors the recommendations made in the NMAP. The survey recommends “The MoHFW should urgently define nutrient thresholds for sugars, salt, and saturated fats to regulate advertising, adopt warning front-of-pack labels (FOPL), and impose stricter marketing restrictions on unhealthy foods, especially targeting children under 18”,” the letter read.  

The plan was scheduled to be implemented in 2022, yet the centre has not issued directions for its implementation.

“In light of this strong and clear recommendation from the Economic Survey, we respectfully urge you to translate the Economic Survey 2024-25 recommendations into immediate regulatory action to safeguard public health, under the overall leadership of MOHFW in consultation with FSSAI and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. We also request you to set up a clear timeline for these measures and make them publicly available to foster transparency and accountability,” they said.

Experts urged that the same be considered on an immediate basis to halt obesity and diabetes in India, achieving India’s NCD targets.

Also read: Survey: 43% parents sent junk food in snack box, 88% unaware of nutritional value of foods