The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has included bread, butter, and cooking oil among several foods that are harmful to people's health in their guidelines, categorizing them as ultra-processed foods.
According to ICMR, Group C foods include factory-made bread, cereals, cakes, chips, biscuits, fries, jams, sauces, mayonnaise, ice cream, protein-packed powders, peanut butter, soy chunks, and tofu.
Additionally, foods made with additives such as cheese, butter, meat, grains, millets, and processed flour of pulses, energy drinks, milk, cold drinks, and juices are also categorized under Group C by ICMR.
Ultra-processed foods are considered unhealthy due to the way they are manufactured. Various grains are ground at high flames in factories to create flour that lasts for many days without spoiling.
To achieve this, artificial ingredients and additives are mixed in. Similarly, fresh fruits are frozen for extended periods to prevent spoilage, and milk is pasteurized.
All types of processing that prepare these healthy foods for consumption strip them of their nutritional value. To enhance taste, colour, and shelf-life, factories add artificial sweeteners, colours, and additives to these foods, which are harmful to health.
Consuming ultra-processed foods for an extended period can lead to various health issues such as obesity, heart attacks, and strokes. These foods are high in fat and very low in essential nutrients like fibre.
Studies have shown that diets rich in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are linked to increased risks of obesity, accelerated ageing, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, and overall poor health.
The biggest issue is that these foods are usually very cheap and easily accessible, making them a popular choice for many people. The ICMR advises against excessive consumption of C-level foods, indicating that these foods often have high sugar and salt content while lacking essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fibre.
