Junk Food

1 in 2 packaged foods sold online is junk or ultra-processed, shows survey

Nearly half of all packaged foods sold on India's online grocery and quick-commerce apps are ultra-processed or high in fat, sugar and salt, raising health concerns for Gen Z consumers

30,000 brain scans show junk foods alter brain regions that regulate eating

Using data from 30,000 adults, researchers say ultra-processed foods may alter key brain regions linked to hunger, reward and overeating, raising new questions about long-term health risks

What happens to your body when you eat too many ultra-processed foods

researchers found that individuals in the highest UPF intake group (60 per cent to 79 per cent of daily calories) had an 11 per cent higher likelihood of elevated hs-CRP levels

Eating French fries often raises diabetes risk, Harvard study warns

A study tracking 200,000 US adults reveals eating French fries three times a week can increase type 2 diabetes risk by 20% while boiled or baked potatoes show no such link when eaten in moderation

Heart-smart eating: Diet tips to lower risk of sudden cardiac arrest

From leafy greens to healthy fats, cardiologists reveal how smart eating habits reduce cardiac arrest risk

Doctor warns against these 6 everyday foods that may raise cancer risk

From processed meats to sugary drinks, a Harvard-trained expert highlights six commonly eaten foods that could quietly raise cancer risk over time

Just 5 minutes of junk food ads can make children eat 130 calories more

New UK study links brief exposure to junk food advertising with increased calorie intake in kids, sparking fresh calls for stricter ad regulations and parental awareness

Not hunger, but mood: Why stress and sadness trigger junk food cravings

A new study links ultra-processed food intake to emotional distress, showing how stress, sadness, and anxiety-not hunger-are driving junk food consumption globally

Warren Buffett's 94-yr routine: McDonald's, Coca-Cola, a life of no regrets

As he steps down as Berkshire Hathaway CEO, here's a look at Warren Buffett's daily routine that includes junk food, and personal joy over perfection

US states move to ban or restrict use of dyes used in candies, cereal

Synthetic dyes used to make brightly coloured cereals, drinks and candies are coming under scrutiny in states across the country, where lawmakers say the federal government has stalled in taking action despite evidence of harmful effects. West Virginia, which ranks at the bottom in the US for many health metrics, became the first to sign a sweeping statewide ban on seven such dyes this week. Lawmakers in more than 20 states from deep red West Virginia to heavily Democratic California are making a bipartisan push to restrict access to the dyes, which have been tied to neurobehavioral problems in some children and of which U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has been an outspoken critic. We should not be forced to police our own foods, said Republican Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, who heads the Senate's health committee and told lawmakers the vote might be the most important of their political careers. No more toxic colors, no more poisoning ourselves and our ...

BJP MP flags 'alarming' rise in junk food consumption, urges govt action

Stating that the consumption of junk food has increased multifold over last few years, Rajya Sabha BJP MP Sujeet Kumar on Friday urged the government to make regulations related to packaged food more stringent, and levy additional tax to discourage people from consuming it. Raising the issue in the House during Zero Hour, the MP from Odisha said the increase in consumption of junk food can be linked to the rise in non-communicable diseases in India. "There is an alarming rise in consumption of junk food, which are high in salt, sugar, unhealthy fat, but offer minimal nutrition," Kumar said. He quoted a WHO report from 2023, and said there has been a 40 times increase in consumption of packaged junk food between 2006 and 2019. "Excessive consumption of junk food combined with poor lifestyle is one of the key reasons for increase in non-communicable diseases (NCD)," he said. Kumar cited an ICMR report to say that NCD-related deaths increased "from 37.9 per cent in 1990 to 61.8 per c

Economic Survey 2025 calls for 'health tax' on ultra-processed food items

The Economic Survey 2025 highlighted the urgency of regulatory measures, recommending that the FSSAI establish clear definitions, labelling requirements, and stringent monitoring of UPFs

McDonald's India to offer burgers with bun co-created with CSIR-CFTRI

McDonald's India, which operates a QSR chain in West and South through its franchise Westlife Foodworld, would offer burgers with multi-millet bun, which has been co-created with premier food technology research institute CSIR-CFTRI. The company has partnered with CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), functioning under Ministry of Science & Technology, for this multi-millet bun and it will source millets directly from farmers. This is the first-ever collaboration in the QSR (quick service restaurant) space, which combines CSIR-CFTRI's expertise with McDonald's thrust for developing nutritious food options. "The purpose is to improve the nutritional quality of our food, so that the customer in the long run benefits from it. It will definitely put us leaps ahead because we are leading from the front in the QSR space when it comes to this," McDonald's India Executive Director Akshay Jatia told PTI. The multi-millet bun has five millets - Bajra, Ragi, Jowar, ...

Need to face up to junk food crisis as study shows 23% Indians overweight

Indians need simple, easy-to-understand, and prominent warning labels, so that their better natures are given a chance to overtake their impulses

Indians spending more on packaged food, eating out as home cooking declines

Spending on processed food by the urban elite consumer more than doubled in FY23; it surged more than threefold for middle-income consumers

Food regulator FSSAI inspects flight kitchens following live worm fiasco

Indigo says it has undertaken a review of catering partner's production, packaging processes

India's junk food bill comes in as obesity, productivity loss increase

Poor dietary patterns have a significant economic cost, warn health experts

World Pasta Day 2023: Importance and types of pasta mostly eaten in India

World Pasta Day is a chance to celebrate the global adoration of this Italian dish, explore new pasta recipes, and the culinary traditions related to this versatile cuisine

TMS Ep531: Pilot shortage, junk food, consumption stocks, govt borrowing

Who is to blame for India's pilot shortage? Is junk food the new cigarette? Are consumption stocks a good bet ahead of festive season? What is govt's borrowing programme and calendar? All answers here

Health advocates demand regulations on consumption of junk food ads

"New data collected via the Poshan tracker revealed that 43 lakh children under the age of five are obese or overweight," the report added. This is just 6 per cent of total children tracked