The growth of ultra-processed foods in India: an analysis of trends, issues and policy recommendations

This report analyses trends in sale of ultra-processed foods and provides evidence-based recommendations to frame policies for creating a conducive environment for healthy eating in India through sustainable food systems and access to affordable healthy diet. Closely linked with India’s rapid economic growth is a simultaneous transition in dietary patterns. There has been a shift towards consumption of ultra-processed foods, a key risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCD) early in life, which has been documented in multiple studies. However, there is inadequate data on trends in sales and consumption of ultra-processed foods in India.