The Silent Epidemic: Tackling India's High Salt Consumption to Combat NCDs UPSC NOTE

The Silent Epidemic: Tackling India's High Salt Consumption to Combat NCDs

Prelims: General Science (Health & Nutrition - Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), Hypertension, Sodium, Iodine); Social Development; Government Policies (National Multisectoral Action Plan - NMAP for NCDs).
Mains:

General Studies Paper 2 (Health & Governance): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population; Government policies and interventions.
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy): Food processing and related industries in India.

Indians consume almost double the amount of salt (8-11 grams daily) recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
This excessive salt consumption is a major cause of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart diseases (cardiovascular diseases).
While discussions focus on the harms of sugar and fat, the dangers of salt do not receive enough attention.
The author proposes a multi-pronged approach to reduce salt consumption.
Key Recommendations:
Mandatory Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) for food products.

Reform public food procurement by controlling salt levels in meals provided in government facilities like schools and Anganwadis.
Encourage reduced salt intake from childhood.
Educate against myths such as rock salt and pink salt being healthier.
Make salt reduction a key objective in national health programmes.

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