A surge in obesity levels in India has raised concerns about the prominence of ultra-processed foods (UPF), which research has linked to a range of chronic diseases.
As well as contributing to obesity, overconsumption of UPFs is thought to increase the risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, some cancers and early mortality.
Around 70 million adults and 12.5 million under-19s were obese in India in 2022, according to research published in The Lancet earlier this year. Meanwhile the World Health Organisation's (WHO) 'The growth of ultra-processed foods in India' report found that, from 2005-2006 to 2019-2020, the occurrence of overweight and obesity grew by more than 10% to reach 29.8% among men and 33.2% among women in urban India and 19.3% and 19.7% in rural India, respectively.
Of these trends, Francis Gabriel Godad, consumer business development manager at GlobalData, commented: “The consumption of ultra-processed foods in India is fueling the alarming rise of chronic diseases. Hence, the rapid expansion of the demand for ultra-processed foods highlights the critical necessity for comprehensive policy measures.
“Urgent action is required to raise awareness, promote healthier eating habits, and implement effective policies to safeguard public health. Consumers should enhance their consumption of fresh and minimally processed foods to avoid negative health consequences.”
GlobalData is Pharmaceutical Technology’s parent company.
Defining UPFs
UPF products are widely consumed, but there is no universally accepted definition of the term. The NOVA classification is the most commonly used and refers to UPF foods as “formulations of ingredients, mostly of exclusive industrial use, typically created by a series of industrial techniques and processes”.
UPF products usually include trans fats to improve shelf life, but the WHO has previously warned that “high intake of trans fat increases the risk of death from any cause by 34%, coronary heart disease deaths by 28% and coronary heart disease by 21%”. As research increasingly demonstrates links between trans fats and diseases including obesity, concerns have been raised about the rising consumption of UPFs in many diets across India.
Godad added: “Ultra-processed foods are high in added sugars, salt and unhealthy fats while lacking essential nutrients and fibre. This combination not only leads to weight gain but also promotes unhealthy eating habits.
“The rise in the number of single-member households and urbanisation has surged the demand for convenient food options. According to the statistics reported by the National Library of Medicine, the prevalence of obesity in India is expected to reach 30.5% by 2040.”
UPFs growth in India
As obesity rates soar in India, an unexpected driver of the country's UPF sector is the growing plant-based substitutes market. In prior analysis, GlobalData predicted that the Indian meat substitutes market would expand at a value compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6% to 8% between 2022 and 2027. Analysts attributed new product innovation as the primary driver of sales in an already predominantly vegetarian market, noting a rise in ethical consumerism among high-income customers.
In January, GlobalData predicted that the value sales of the meat substitutes sector in India would record an annual uptick of 5.1% in 2024.
Shravani Mali, consumer analyst at GlobalData, commented: “Ultra-processed foods, characterised by their high levels of additives, preservatives and artificial ingredients, have become a staple in many diets. These products, often found in the form of packaged snacks, sugary beverages and fast food, are not only lacking in essential nutrients but also pose potential health risks.
“In India, there is currently no standardised classification system to identify food products based on the level of industrial processing. This lack of differentiation hampers efforts to address the rising consumption of ultra-processed foods.
“The Indian Government must consider imposing taxes on ultra-processed foods and implementing stricter regulations on their availability within school settings. In addition, food manufacturers need to take measures to develop strategies to implement labelling guidelines for the consumption of these products.”
