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Col Jasjit Gill writes to CM Mann, says Punjab Govt should become first state to put warning labels on junk foods
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, April 14, 2024: Colonel Jasjit Singh Gill, former member of the State Task Force of Buddha Darya Rejuvenation Project has written to Punjab Chief Bhagwant Mann, urging the state government to become the first state to put warning labels on junk food.
Colonel Jasjit Singh Gill made this request in view of the rising cases of heart attack among the young population.
"As you and your government is laying so much stress on the health and allocated an increased budget for looking after the health of Punjabis when they get sick I would like to draw your attention to the aspect of doing preventive action to save them from getting sick.. Some examples of these type foods include: cakes and biscuits, fast foods (such as hot chips, burgers and pizzas),chocolate and sweets, processed meat (such as bacon),snacks (such as chips),sugary drinks (such as sports, energy and soft drinks) and alcoholic drinks. And Sir if our diet is high in fats, salt and sugar and we are not receiving essential nutrients, our risk of obesity and other chronic (long-term) diseases may increase," wrote Colonel Jasjit Singh Gill.
"Sir,the moment your government starts the process of warning labelling of junk food you will find all big junk food producers lobbying to prevent this labelling and at the same time also offering contributing legitimately to political funding. Seeing your commitment to GOOD HEALTH OR RANGLA PUNJAB I am sure you will go ahead with this STATUTORY WARNING LABELLING OF ALL JUNK FOOD because you and your government is committed to prevent diseases and ensuring good health of all Punjabis. This labelling on the menu, packaging and warning placards will have to be ensured even for “FAST FOOD SELLERS” from non organised shops and “REHRIS," the letter added.
Read the complete letter below:
To
S BHAGWANT SINGH MANN,
The Honourable Chief Minister
Punjab
SUBJECT: START STATUTORY WARNING LABELLING OF ALL JUNK FOOD BEING SOLD IN PUNJAB FOR PREVENTION OF DISEASES AND GOOD HEALTH OF ALL PUNJABIS
Dear Sir
As you are aware that Junk Food is immensely harmful to the health of children ,adults and elders and its consumption is leading to so many diseases which are proving fatal in long and short terms( as you hear of so many heart attacks in the young people and mostly fatal. They are fatal mostly because young people don't get tested regularly for such diseases as they are not considered as prone to such diseases because of their young age. On the other hand the lifestyle including food habits have undergone drastic changes for the worse. What we call junk food is actually very close to its dictionary meaning that is why the name JUNK FOOD. "Junk food" is a term used to describe food that is high in calories from sugar and/or fat, and possibly sodium, but with little dietary fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, or other important forms of nutritional value.
As you and your government is laying so much stress on the health and allocated an increased budget for looking after the health of Punjabis when they get sick I would like to draw your attention to the aspect of doing PREVENTIVE ACTION to SAVE THEM FROM GETTING SICK. Some examples of these type foods include: cakes and biscuits, fast foods (such as hot chips, burgers and pizzas),chocolate and sweets, processed meat (such as bacon),snacks (such as chips),sugary drinks (such as sports, energy and soft drinks) and alcoholic drinks. And Sir if our diet is high in fats, salt and sugar and we are not receiving essential nutrients, our risk of obesity and other chronic (long-term) diseases may increase.
As in the case of smoking a statutory warning with scary pictures of cancer on the cigarette pack is mandatory so I would request The Punjab Government to go for SCARY WARNING LABELLING OF JUNK FOOD on its own and THUS become the FIRST STATE in INDIA to do so because FSSAI is very reluctant to do it despite so many requests by eminent scientists recommending THE WARNING LABELLING. Here it is important to mention that HEALTH STAR RATING WHICH IS BEING CONSIDERED BY FSSAI IS NO SUBSTITUTE TO WARNING LABEL as it has been non effective in the countries where it is in use. For your contemporary updated information and knowledge on the subject as of only two proactive countries in the world who are in the forefront of the JUNK FOOD WARNING LABELLING are Israel and Canada. and out of these two Israel labelling is considered effective worldwide.
https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/food-services/give-warning-label-not-health-star-rating-on-junk-food-packages-experts-tell-to-fssai/90958511#:~:text=By%20pushing%20these%2C%20the%20Food,on%20ultra%2Dprocessed%20junk%20foods'
Sir,the moment your government starts the process of warning labelling of junk food you will find all big junk food producers lobbying to prevent this labelling and at the same time also offering contributing legitimately to political funding. Seeing your commitment to GOOD HEALTH OR RANGLA PUNJAB I am sure you will go ahead with this STATUTORY WARNING LABELLING OF ALL JUNK FOOD because you and your government is committed to prevent diseases and ensuring good health of all Punjabis. This labelling on the menu, packaging and warning placards will have to be ensured even for “FAST FOOD SELLERS” from non organised shops and “REHRIS”. Some people might say that many people still smoke after seeing the statutory warning but they don’t mention how many have been deterred and quit smoking. So your government must DO THE RIGHT THING FOR RIGHT REASONS.
https://www.planetspark.in/elements/do-you-believe-fast-food-should-come-with-a-warning-label#:~:text=Most%20fast%20foods%20can%20be,consume%20such%20types%20of%20foods.
Regards
Yours Sincerely
Col Jasjit Singh Gill
Ex Member
STATE TASK FORCE
BUDDAH DARYA REJUVENATION PROJECT