India UK trade deal raises major public health concerns

Source: The post India UK trade deal raises major public health concerns has been created, based on the article “The India-U.K. FTA spells a poor deal for public health” published in “The Hindu” on 25th July 2025

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

Context: India and the United Kingdom signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on July 24, 2025, during PM Modi’s U.K. visit. While this move promises economic benefits, it has raised public health concerns in India due to the expected influx of cheap, unhealthy food products from the U.K.

For detailed information on India-UK Free Trade Agreement 2025 read this article here

Health Risks of Imported HFSS Products

1. Increased Access to Unhealthy Food: The FTA allows tariff-free entry of U.K.-made products like chocolates, biscuits, and soft drinks. These fall under High Fat, Sugar, and Salt (HFSS) categories, which pose long-term health threats. Cheaper prices and aggressive marketing may worsen consumption patterns.
2. Mexico’s Cautionary Example: Mexico’s experience after the NAFTA deal showed a surge in HFSS consumption, leading to obesity and diabetes. It was only after introducing policies like soda taxes and warning labels in 2014 that the trend reversed. India risks repeating the same mistake.
3. Poor Regulation in India: Unlike the U.K., India lacks effective regulation of HFSS marketing. The U.K. has already announced a full ban on paid online ads for HFSS products starting October 2025 and uses a traffic light labelling system to guide healthy choices. India’s regulatory mechanisms are weaker and poorly enforced.

Weaknesses in India’s Food Advertising and Labelling

1. Ineffective Industry Self-Regulation: In India, self-regulation by the Advertising Standards Council is not effective. Government codes exist but are poorly implemented, and penalties for violations are rare. Use of cartoon mascots and celebrity endorsements normalise unhealthy consumption, despite celebrities admitting they don’t use the products.
2. Pending Mandatory Warning Labels: India has delayed implementing warning labels on HFSS products. Though proposed in 2022, amendments remain on paper. After a Public Interest Litigation in April 2025, the Supreme Court ordered time-bound action. However, the preference for ‘star ratings’ over clear warnings persists, likely due to industry pressure.
3. Expert Support for Strong Labelling: A position statement by 29 organisations in June 2025 demanded mandatory warning labels for HFSS and Ultra Processed Food (UPF), citing their adverse health effects. The Chilean model using black octagonal labels is considered more effective than India’s current proposals.

Lifestyle Diseases on the Rise

1. Growing Obesity and NCD Burden: The Lancet’s March 2025 study revealed rising obesity globally. In India, HFSS and UPF consumption grew at 13.3% CAGR from 2011–21. Consequently, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are increasing among all age groups, especially children and adolescents.
2. Link Between Trade and Health: Trade and treaties are economically significant but can indirectly fuel non-communicable diseases. The concept of Commercial Determinants of Health highlights how commercial actions affect public health. Without checks, FTAs could worsen the NCD crisis.

Future Trade Deals and Public Health Safeguards

1. Upcoming FTAs Pose Similar Risks: India may sign the India-European FTA (TEPA) in October 2025, with more trade deals expected. These could bring economic benefits but also enable entry of harmful food products. Without safeguards, FTAs could become Trojan horses for lifestyle diseases.
2. Need for Balanced Policy: Economic gains must be balanced with strong public health protections. Restrictions on food marketing and mandatory labelling should be part of all FTAs. Regulatory mechanisms must be incorporated during legal drafting stages of such agreements.

Call for Immediate Action

1. Policy Interventions Required: India should act swiftly to mitigate the health impact of the India-U.K. FTA. The Economic Survey 2024-25 and Dietary Guidelines 2024 advocate for strong measures. Mandatory warning labels and regulation of HFSS ads are urgently needed.
2. Role of Schools and Public Awareness: Initiatives like sugar and oil boards in schools are useful but should be expanded to include broader HFSS awareness. Unhealthy packaged foods must be banned in school and college canteens.
3. Urgency of Public Health Engagement: Public health authorities must actively engage in trade policy discussions. With lifestyle diseases affecting all age groups, the time to act is now to protect the health of future generations.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the India UK Free Trade Agreement could impact public health in India.