Passage 2

The huge business of Ultra-processed food (UPF) segments has been built on hyper palatability of food items and marketing strategies involving misleading advertisements and celebrity endorsements targeting consumer behaviour. A study by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi)/Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) 2023 recommended that efforts to curb the harmful impact of UPFs should be free from food industry influence. The MoHFW should urgently define nutrient thresholds for sugars, salt, and saturated fats to regulate advertising, adopt warning front-of-pack labels (FOPL), and impose stricter marketing restrictions on unhealthy foods, especially targeting children under 18. Additionally, a coalition of civil society and government entities, free from conflicts of interest, is vital to educate the public and counter food industry interference.

43.Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1.Government entities alone are incapable of educating the public or countering food industry interference regarding UPFs.

2.Civil society inherently possesses more credibility with the public on health matters than government agencies.

Which of the assumptions given above are valid?

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(c)Both 1 and 2

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

Question

Passage 2

The huge business of Ultra-processed food (UPF) segments has been built on hyper palatability of food items and marketing strategies involving misleading advertisements and celebrity endorsements targeting consumer behaviour. A study by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi)/Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) 2023 recommended that efforts to curb the harmful impact of UPFs should be free from food industry influence. The MoHFW should urgently define nutrient thresholds for sugars, salt, and saturated fats to regulate advertising, adopt warning front-of-pack labels (FOPL), and impose stricter marketing restrictions on unhealthy foods, especially targeting children under 18. Additionally, a coalition of civil society and government entities, free from conflicts of interest, is vital to educate the public and counter food industry interference.

43.Based on the above passage, the following assumptions have been made:

1.Government entities alone are incapable of educating the public or countering food industry interference regarding UPFs.

2.Civil society inherently possesses more credibility with the public on health matters than government agencies.


Which of the assumptions given above are valid?

(a)1 only

(b)2 only

(c)Both 1 and 2

(d)Neither 1 nor 2

ONLiNE UPSC · Accepted Answer

Statement 1 is not correct: The passage suggests, &ldquo;Additionally, a coalition of civil society and government entities, free from conflicts of interest, is vital to educate the public and counter food industry interference&rdquo;. The recommendation is for a coalition, implying a synergistic effort. It suggests a combined approach is "vital," which could mean government efforts alone might be insufficient or less effective, but not necessarily "incapable." The emphasis is on the coalition being "free from conflicts of interest."

Statement 2 is not correct: The passage doesn't make a comparative judgment on the credibility of civil society versus government. It emphasizes the coalition being "free from conflicts of interest" as the key attribute for its vitality, suggesting this is more critical than the inherent credibility of one type of entity over another.

Public Health and Nutrition

Ultra-processed food (UPF) and Government Regulations

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