A new classification based on the degree of processing of food and nutrient content, is gaining ground worldwide to protect human health
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Modi in his “Mann Ki Baat” appealed to everyone to “eat nutritious food and stay healthy” and advised people to include local food grain, fruits and vegetables in their diet plans on August 30. The Nutrition Advocacy and Public interest (NAPi) and the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) have jointly launched a new campaign in India that aims at reducing the consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods by the people of India, infants, children, the young and old.
“We are doing this because of the new scientific evidence that has emerged during the past decade showing that increased consumption of ultra-processed foods is harmful to the health of humans,” said Professor HPS Sachdev, a member of NAPi.
In a letter dated September 1, 2020, to Dr Harshvardhan, Union Minister of Health, the two public interest groups have shared a “Statement and Call to Action on Consumption of Ultra-processed Foods”, which has been endorsed by the generation of old and young budding 125 scientists from over 27 States of India.
The Statement calls upon the Ministry of Health and FSSAI, to adopt the NOVA (means new) Classification of foods that has its roots in Brazil. By this classification, foods are easily identified into four groups based on their degree of processing, not on the nutrient content.
Professor Carlos Monteiro from University of Sao Paulo, who researched the dietary patterns in Brazil, said, “We found that consumption of processed foods made people eat more and led to increased obesity and type -2 diabetes.”
“This was happening in spite of the fact that people were buying less sugar and oil and consumption of highly processed or ultra-processed, ready to eat, sugary and packaged food products had gone up. We looked at the extent and purpose of food processing, and developed the ‘NOVA’ food classification, which did not depend on food nutrient contents”, said Prof Carlos.
What is NOVA classification?
The NOVA classification system groups all foods according to nature, extent and purposes of the industrial processes they undergo. These involve physical, biological and chemical techniques used after foods are separated from nature and before they are consumed or else made into dishes and meals.
NOVA has four food groups: 1) Unprocessed /minimally processed foods, 2) processed culinary ingredients, 3) processed foods, and 4) ultra-processed foods (UPFs).
The official Brazilian Dietary Guidelines, based on NOVA, has four central recommendations: 1) base your diet on a diversity of Group 1 foods; 2) use small amounts of Group 2 ingredients (salt, oil, vinegar, sugar) to transform Group 1 foods into diversified and delicious dishes and meals; 3) consume Group 3 foods (such as bread and cheese) as part of dishes and meals based on Group 1 foods; 4) Avoid Group 4 foods.
Available scientific evidence reveals that 10 per cent increase in the consumption of UPFs increases the chances of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer by approximately 10 per cent.
In children, obesity and asthma are higher in those consuming UPFs. A recent review of published papers indicated a positive association between UPFs consumption and the risk of several health outcomes.
The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) recognizes the health risks due to increased consumption of UPFs and concludes that policies should contribute to actions that fully take into account the nature, extent and purpose of food processing, designed always to protect the overall immediate and indefinite good health and well-being of populations, the living and physical world, and the planet.
In July 2020, the UN Special Rapporteur on the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, in its Statement said, “States cannot remain passive in the face of NCDs. They should adopt an integrated approach to reduce the consumption of unhealthy food products through the use of a broader set of laws and regulations”.
The negative health outcomes of consumption of UPFs call for the attention of Indian policymakers as in India consumption of UPFs is rising.
Should India not take action to halt its rise of UPFs and work towards a food transition, which is healthier?
“This is where adopting NOVA Food Classification comes in, a policy that can change the way we deal with our food systems. Periodic monitoring of food consumption patterns would also be required”, says Keshav Desiraju, former Health Secretary and chair of NAPi.
Identifying ultra-processed foods is easy by simply watching food labels and can be part of the guidelines followed by local language campaigns to educate people about UPF consumption and its harmful impact.
Napi and BPNI have developed a simple, understandable document “The Unseen Dangers of Ultra-processed Food” in several languages for the benefit of the people of India. This helps in understanding the risks and identification.
