The case for a ban - II

Besides, the companies have astounding lobbying power against regulations, advertisements, or implementing clearer and truthful food labelling which undermine most public health initiatives. They have the financial muscle to employ any number of scientists to prove that their products are not only harmless but even beneficial to the health of children.

- By GOVIND BHATTACHARJEE

India’s growing UPF market is leading to an uncontrolled and unregulated junk food epidemic.

Governments are responsible for providing public goods, and health is a most vital public good, especially when it concerns children. In their relentless pursuit of profit, the UPF and sugary beverage industries have systematically compromised children’s health, prioritising financial gain over their social and ethical responsibility. The major players in the Indian UPF and sugary beverages industries include both MNCs and Indian companies: PepsiCo India (Producer of Lay’s, Kurkure, Doritos, Quaker, and sugary beverages like Pepsi and 7Up); Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages (Coca-Cola, Thums Up, Sprite, Maaza, Limca), Parle Agro Ltd.

(Frooti, Appy Fizz), ITC (Bingo chips, Sunfeast), Nestlé India (Maggi and other instant noodles and a host of packaged foods), as well as many others like Mondelez India, Britannia Industries, McCain India, Hindustan Unilever, Dabur, Marico etc. Their total annual turnover from packaged food and beverages would exceed Rs 1 lakh crore (US$11 billion), the contribution of UPFs being unknown. They employ an estimated 80,000 direct employees, while according to a Deloitte-FICCI report released in May 2025, the Indian food-processing sector (which includes packaged foods, dairy, beverages, meat, fruits and veg processing, etc.) is estimated to be valued above US$300 billion, supporting over 7 million jobs across the value chain, including manufacturing, farm-linkage, distribution, retail, informal and secondary employment.