Paper: GS – II, Subject: Society and Social Justice, Topic: Social Sector- Health, Issue: Implications of India-U.K. FTA on public health.
Context:
India and the UK signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on July 24, 2025. The agreement allows zero or lower tariffs on several products, including ultra-processed foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS).
Key Highlights:
Concerns Raised:
- Public Health Impact: The FTA may lead to increased imports of HFSS products like biscuits, chocolates, and sugary drinks.
- Health risks: These products contribute to obesity, diabetes, and heart diseases.
- Marketing issues: Existing regulations on child-targeted ads and celebrity endorsements are weak and poorly enforced.
- Advertisement Loopholes: Use of cartoon mascots and celebrities normalizes unhealthy choices among children.
- Inadequate Safeguards: India lacks a mandatory Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) system.
- Slack implementation: Although draft rules and court directions exist, implementation is slow and ineffective.
- Mislead: “Star rating” system is used, which is often misleading and preferred by food industry.
| Case Study: Mexico’s Experience: In the aftermath of the North American FTA (1992), Mexico saw surge in HFSS imports and increase in diet-related diseases.This shows the real-world negative health impacts of trade deals without public health safeguards. |
Measures needed:
- Policy Measures:
- Make Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) mandatory with clear warning symbols such as for sugar, salt, fat).
- Shift from industry-friendly star ratings to warning labels.
- Legal Steps:
- Use the legal window before final ratification to renegotiate or add health safeguard clauses.
- Align health regulations with Economic Survey 2024-25, which stresses on curbing HFSS consumption.
- Other steps:
- Implement the school health promotion policy: ban HFSS in schools and nearby shops.
- Promote nutrition literacy and consumer awareness.
- Collaborate with multiple ministries across Health, Education, Consumer Affairs for coordinated policy action.
Conclusion:
The India-U.K. FTA offers economic benefits but poses significant risks to public health if proper safeguards are not enforced. There is a need to Re-evaluate the agreement, enforce mandatory FOPNL and Protect vulnerable populations, especially children.
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