Govt will launch health campaign against colas

NEW DELHI: Amid the raging debate over the presence of pesticide residues in colas, the Union health and family welfare ministry has decided to launch a strong anti-cola campaign.

The health ministry contends that colas constitute a health risk for children. “Colas are junk food and are bad for children’s health,” said Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss. “Hence, we are launching a massive campaign to make people aware of the demerits of these drinks.”

Although many states have already banned the sale of colas in schools, it applies to only government ones. A large number of private schools continue to allow colas and burgers in their canteens.

A large number of private schools continue to allow colas and burgers in their canteens. Many of these schools, in fact, have tied up with fast-food chains for their cafeteria supplies. Hence, the health ministry has sought help from human resource and development ministry to caution people about the dangers of consuming junk food.

“The real issue is not pesticides but the consumption of colas itself. We advise people not to consume junk food anyway,” said Union Health Secretary PK Hota. The top two colas companies, however, seem to be adopting a wait-and-watch policy. When contacted, they refused to offer comment.

The government’s plan includes imposing a ban on cola advertisements similar to the one in effect for alcohol and tobacco. “The government is discussing the availability of provisions to ban advertisements (of soft drinks) with the information and broadcasting ministry. But we have not taken any decision on this,” Ramadoss said.

The health ministry is preparing a series of campaigns to counter the advertisements of colas companies which feature cricketers and film stars. Sources indicated that the government may even draft in the former All-England badminton champion Pullela Gopichand in their campaigns. Gopichand refused to endorse products for cola companies that came his way following his big win in England.

Ramadoss is buoyed by the success of his anti-tobacco campaigns, which landed him the Luther L Terry Award instituted by the American Cancer Society. Initiating a similar campaign against colas may not be easy because thousands of youngsters consume aerated drinks with the consent of their parents.

For the government campaign, a team of experts is preparing a list of harmful effects and problems arising due to consumption of junk food.

According to Dr Anoop Misra, the director of the department of diabetes and metabolism at the Fortis Group of Hospitals, at least a third of children today consume junk food more than thrice a week. “Ninety-five per cent of Indians suffer from the Type 2 diabetes which is a lifestyle disease and nearly five per cent suffer from Type 1. One of the biggest reasons for diabetes is junk food,” said Misra.

A study by US experts published in Lancet - a medical journal published in the UK- highlighted how fast-food consumption has strong positive association with weight gain and insulin resistance, suggesting that fast food increases the risk of obesity and Type 2 diabetes.