A Health Warning Within a Trade Win?

India and the U.K. have signed a landmark Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), aimed at boosting mutual exports and reducing tariffs. While it opens up new opportunities in agriculture, textiles, engineering, automobiles, and aerospace — there’s another side to this story we must not ignore.

Experts are raising concerns that this deal may open India's doors to high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt (HFSS) foods from the U.K. — at cheaper prices and with fewer regulations. Unlike the U.K., where such products must carry strict red-label warnings, India lacks such mandatory labeling or advertising restrictions.

With HFSS products becoming more affordable and accessible in India, the deal could unintentionally fuel lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart conditions — especially among young people.

A similar situation played out in Mexico after signing a free trade deal with the U.S., leading to a spike in obesity and related health problems. Could India face the same risk?

This is not a call to reject the trade deal — but a reminder that economic growth and public health must go hand in hand. Regulatory safeguards, food labeling reforms, and affordable healthy alternatives are crucial steps we must act on — now.

Let’s celebrate growth responsibly.

Let’s not trade away our health.

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