Processed food consumption in India is emerging as a growing public health concern, with packaged snacks and beverages becoming more accessible than fruits and vegetables—even in rural areas. This observation was highlighted by S Mahendra Dev, Chairman of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EACPM), who emphasised the urgent need to improve the availability of healthier food options across the country.
Speaking in Mumbai, Dev warned that unchecked reliance on processed foods could accelerate health issues such as obesity, particularly among children.
Rural and Urban Consumption Patterns Are Shifting
Citing official survey data, Dev noted that processed food consumption in India already accounts for nearly 21% of food intake in rural areas. In urban markets, this figure is expected to exceed 25%, underscoring the scale of dietary change underway.
“Chips and Kurkure are more easily available in rural areas than fruits and vegetables,” Dev said, pointing to a structural imbalance in food distribution that needs immediate attention.
Health Risks Linked to Rising Processed Food Intake
The rise in processed food consumption in India has been linked to lifestyle changes, especially among working households. Dev explained that many working couples increasingly rely on packaged and ready-to-eat foods due to time constraints, turning convenience into a long-term health challenge.
If this trend continues unchecked, the country may face higher obesity rates and nutrition-related disorders, particularly among younger populations.
Industry Engagement Over Policy Crackdowns
Rather than immediate regulatory action, the government plans to focus on education and industry collaboration. Dev indicated that addressing processed food consumption in India would involve dialogue with food manufacturers to encourage the supply of healthier snacking alternatives.
The emphasis, he said, should be on creating market-driven solutions that make nutritious food more accessible and affordable.
Changing Food Preferences Over the Last Decade
Dev also highlighted how consumption patterns have shifted dramatically over the past ten years. In rural areas, cereals and fruits now account for just about 10% of total consumption, a sharp decline from earlier decades.
Eggs and meat have increasingly replaced cereals in household diets, reflecting broader structural changes in food preferences and income patterns—another factor influencing processed food consumption in India.
Rethinking Economic and Consumption Indices
Given these changes, Dev stressed the importance of regularly revising economic base years and indices to reflect evolving consumption trends. New indices are being developed to better capture these shifts as India’s economy undergoes structural transformation.
The Bottom Line
Processed food consumption in India is no longer an urban phenomenon—it is reshaping diets across rural and urban markets alike. As availability, convenience, and lifestyle changes drive this trend, policymakers and industry players face growing pressure to ensure healthier alternatives reach consumers, especially children, before the long-term health consequences become harder to manage.
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