November 19, 2025 : A new study published in The Lancet has raised urgent concerns about India’s escalating consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs), linking their rapid rise to a steep increase in obesity, diabetes, and metabolic disorders across the country. The report comes at a time when lifestyle diseases are growing at an unprecedented pace, challenging India’s healthcare system and posing long-term economic and social risks.
According to the study, sales of ultra-processed foods—products high in refined sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, additives, flavour enhancers, and preservatives—have surged dramatically in the past decade. Items such as packaged snacks, instant noodles, sugary beverages, processed meats, frozen meals, flavoured cereals, and fast food have become daily staples for millions, especially urban youth.
The Lancet’s findings indicate that UPF sales in India have grown at a faster rate than in many developed countries, driven by increasing urbanization, aggressive marketing, and the rapid expansion of supermarkets and food delivery apps. The report highlights that the affordability and convenience of UPFs make them particularly attractive to working families and students, creating a silent but widespread dietary transformation.
Researchers warn that as these foods become central to everyday diets, India is witnessing a disturbing spike in non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Obesity rates have more than doubled in several states, and diabetes is now being diagnosed at younger ages than ever before. The study emphasizes that this wave of metabolic disorders is no longer confined to affluent households—rural regions, low-income families, and children are increasingly affected.
Experts from the study highlight that ultra-processed foods often bypass the body’s natural satiety signals. Their hyper-palatable nature—engineered to be irresistibly tasty—causes people to eat more than necessary. Combined with sedentary lifestyles, long working hours, and lack of physical activity, these foods create the perfect recipe for chronic health conditions.
The study noted that almost 1 in 4 Indian adults is either overweight or obese, while diabetes prevalence has touched alarming levels, making India one of the world’s top countries for diabetic patients. Particularly concerning is the rise of childhood obesity, which the Lancet labels a “public health time bomb.”
Another major concern highlighted by researchers is misleading food marketing. Companies often promote processed foods as “healthy,” “natural,” “fortified,” or “energy-boosting,” masking the risks hidden in high sugar and sodium content. Advertisements featuring celebrities and influencers have a significant impact on children and teenagers, making them vulnerable consumers of these harmful products.
The study calls for strong regulatory measures. Researchers recommend implementing front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) that clearly warns consumers about high sugar, salt, and fat levels. Many countries, including Chile, Mexico, and Brazil, have successfully adopted “black label warnings” on products considered risky. India, however, is still debating the final structure of its food labelling policy.
Public health experts argue that India must urgently adopt a law that makes it mandatory for companies to display clear warnings on unhealthy foods. Without this step, consumer awareness will remain low, and consumption will continue to rise.
The Lancet study also suggests taxing sugary drinks and heavily processed foods to discourage excess intake. Similar taxes in Mexico and the UK have significantly reduced consumption patterns. In India, such measures could help curb the ongoing rise in obesity, especially among young people.
Dieticians stress that the shift toward unhealthy, processed food consumption is not merely a lifestyle choice—it reflects broader economic and cultural changes. Busy schedules, long commutes, lack of home-cooked food options in urban areas, and the mushrooming of inexpensive fast-food outlets have reshaped India’s eating habits. Additionally, the growth of food aggregators like Swiggy and Zomato has made high-calorie meals accessible at any hour.
The Lancet warns that if India does not act soon, the country will face a massive healthcare burden in the coming decades. The number of people requiring lifelong treatment for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease could strain public hospitals and push millions into poverty due to medical expenses.
On the positive side, the study also highlights emerging grassroots efforts promoting healthy, local, and minimally processed foods. Nutrition campaigns in schools, community kitchens, millet-based meals, and yoga-fitness programs are gaining attention. However, experts insist that these initiatives must expand significantly to counter the influence of large food corporations.
The report concludes with a clear message: India is at a critical crossroads. Ultra-processed food consumption is soaring, and its health consequences are already visible. Only decisive policy intervention, public awareness campaigns, and dietary education can prevent the country from sliding deeper into an NCD crisis.
The Lancet’s findings act as a wake-up call for policymakers, consumers, and the food industry. If ignored, India may face one of the most severe lifestyle-related health crises in its history.
Summary
A Lancet study reveals a sharp rise in ultra-processed food sales in India, linking them to surging obesity and diabetes rates, while urging urgent policy action, warnings, taxes, and public health awareness.