Odisha launches statewide crackdown on junk food; ‘oil boards’ across anganwadis and care centres mandatory

The Odisha government has directed all district Collectors to install ‘oil boards’ in anganwadis, child-care institutions and residential welfare centres to raise awareness about high-oil foods and their health risks.

The move comes amid concerns of the Health Department over rising consumption of fried snacks and street food, which medical studies warn against, containing high oil content linked to heart disease, obesity, liver ailments and high blood pressure.

The initiative was issued through a formal instruction from the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department. According to the communication, the boards will list the approximate oil content in commonly consumed fried items and outline possible health consequences when such foods are consumed regularly.

The Odisha government has asked for the boards to be printed in both Odia and English for uniform public understanding.

Boards To Be Installed In Anganwadis, Residential Institutions

The directive requires the installation of oil-awareness boards in Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), Child Care Institutions (CCIs), One Stop Centres, Shakti Sadan, Shakti Nivas and other residential facilities under district administrations. Officials said the aim is to promote informed choices among families and caregivers who depend on these centres for daily services.

The WCD Department’s letter adds that institutions must ‘encourage healthy food choices among the public’ and ‘print and display health-promoting messages to reinforce behavioural change.’

Funds To Be Drawn From Existing Allocations

To avoid delays in implementation, the Odisha government has permitted institutions to meet the display and printing expenses from their available contingency funds.

A prototype board design has also been provided for district-level reference. The WCD said this will standardise display formats across all districts and ensure that nutritional warnings remain consistent.

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Health risks linked to locally consumed fried foods highlighted

According to sources, the oil boards will detail the typical oil absorption levels in common snacks such as samosa, aloo chop, and other popular fried foods.

Further, health advisories on the boards will caution that regular intake of such high-oil foods contributes to lifestyle diseases, including heart ailments, obesity, liver conditions and hypertension, especially among children and young adults.