Sugar and Fat Boards

Sugar and Fat Boards : Recently, in a landmark move to combat lifestyle diseases and promote healthy eating habits, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare directed all Central and State government offices to display ‘Sugar and Fat Boards’ in canteens and food stalls within their premises.

• Key Highlights: The initiative is supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research – National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR–NIN), which has also provided a model template for the boards.

o Recommended Limits: Sugar: Max 25 grams per day (≈ 5 teaspoons)

- Visible Fats (oil, ghee, butter): Max 30 grams per day (≈ 6 teaspoons)

o Origin of the Concept: First introduced in schools under CBSE and ICSE, the initiative is now being scaled up to government offices nationwide.

o Experts warn that reused cooking oil produces trans fats, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.