Archive · 22 Jul 2026
ICMR-NIN Proposes Policy for Healthier Diets in India
The Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) has suggested new rules to help children and teenagers eat healthier.
They say too many kids are eating unhealthy food, which is making them sick.
The rules include things like healthier school lunches, teaching kids about nutrition, and making it harder for companies to advertise unhealthy food to children.
They also want to tax foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar.
Experts say these changes are important to keep kids healthy and prevent diseases.
They launched some tools to help, like a website and educational resources.
ICMR-NIN proposed policy measures to promote healthier diets for children and adolescents in India.
Key recommendations include healthier school food environments, nutrition literacy, and regulation of unhealthy food marketing.
The policy document calls for taxation of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar.
Experts emphasize the need for multi-sectoral policy action to address rising obesity and diet-related diseases.
The workshop launched several tools, including the ‘Let’s Fix Our Food’ website and educational resources on fats, sugars, and salt.
- Who
- Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) and associated researchers, policymakers, and development partners
- What
- Proposed a set of policy measures to promote healthier diets and food environments for children and adolescents
- When
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Where
- New Delhi
- Why
- To address rising obesity and poor diets increasing the burden of non-communicable diseases in India
Public Health Advocates
Food Industry Representatives
Regulation of Unhealthy Food Marketing
Public Health Advocates
Public health advocates support strict regulations on marketing unhealthy foods to children to promote healthier diets.
Food Industry Representatives
Food industry representatives argue that such regulations could limit their marketing strategies and impact their business.
Taxation of Unhealthy Foods
Public Health Advocates
Public health advocates believe taxation of foods high in fat, salt, and sugar will discourage consumption and improve public health.
Food Industry Representatives
Food industry representatives contend that such taxes will increase food prices and negatively affect consumers, especially lower-income groups.
- Organization
- Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN)
- Policy Document Title
- Priority Policy Actions to Promote Healthier Diets and Food Environments for Children and Adolescents in India
- Key Recommendations
- Healthier school food environments, nutrition literacy, front-of-pack labelling, regulation of unhealthy food marketing, taxation of unhealthy foods, salt reduction, behaviour change communication, youth engagement, fiscal measures
- Launch Date
- Wednesday (specific date not mentioned)
- Location
- New Delhi
- Key Speakers
- M. Srinivas, Bharati Kulkarni, K. Srinath Reddy, Marie Claude Desilets, Syed Imran Farooq
- Tools Launched
- ‘Let’s Fix Our Food’ website, Nutrition Environment Assessment Toolkit for Schools (NEAT-S), e-learning module on food labels, ICMR-NIN educational resources