On the occasion of World Food Safety Day 2025, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda delivered the keynote address at a national event organized by FSSAI at NIMHANS, Bengaluru. Themed “Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy,” the event spotlighted the urgent need for food safety and healthier dietary practices in the fight against rising obesity and non-communicable diseases in India.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to this year’s global theme, “Food Safety: Science in Action,” Shri Nadda emphasized a science-backed, community-driven approach to nutrition. He reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call to reduce oil consumption by 10% and urged a return to traditional diets rich in nutrients such as millets.
Major Launches and Key Messages:
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Launch of FSSAI’s ‘Stop Obesity’ Campaign under the Eat Right India initiative:
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Multilingual, inclusive materials including sign language content
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Multi-platform outreach via radio, railways, digital media
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A campaign video featuring Chef Ranveer Brar unveiled
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Release of ‘Eat Right Activity Book – Your Guide to Eat Right at School’, to promote nutrition awareness among students across school levels
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Highlighted innovative tools like Sugar and Oil Boards for behavior change in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
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He stated that obesity had surged by 39.6% in urban areas and 23.1% in rural regions between 2008 and 2020, and warned that if left unchecked, one-third of India’s population could become obese by 2050.
The Minister stressed that “eating right is a right” and advocated for collective action from government, industry, academia, and citizens. He called for nutrition education at a young age and suggested that calorie information be prominently included in all public nutrition materials.
Also speaking at the event, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava highlighted the integration of science and surveillance systems in ensuring food safety, while Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of School Education, emphasized embedding healthy eating habits and millets into school programs.
The event was attended by dignitaries from the Karnataka Government, Members of Parliament, secretaries of key ministries, officials from FSSAI, and stakeholders from across India, marking a united front in advancing a healthier, safer food culture for a Viksit Bharat.
