Economic Survey 2026 Proposes Junk Food Ad Ban 6 AM-11 PM to Combat Rising UPF Consumption

• India's Economic Survey 2026 suggests banning junk food advertisements between 6 AM and 11 PM across all media.
• The proposal aims to curb the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) high in fat, sugar, and salt, which contribute to chronic diseases and health inequalities.
• Restrictions on marketing infant and toddler milk/beverages are also recommended, alongside front-of-pack nutrition labeling with warnings.
• UPF retail sales in India surged 40-fold from USD 0.9 billion in 2006 to USD 38 billion in 2019, correlating with a near doubling of obesity rates.
• The Survey highlights regulatory ambiguities in existing advertisement codes, allowing UPF companies to make vague health claims without clear standards.

Why It Matters: Economic Survey 2026 proposes a junk food ad ban and stricter marketing rules to tackle rising UPF consumption and obesity.