Title - Health Ministry asked Indian Railways to not advertise unhealthy products

To boost its revenue Indian railways recently unveiled its non-fare revenue (NFR) policy. As per new policy railways can ask advertising companies to advertise on trains, areas along the tracks and level – crossings.

However, health ministry has asked railway authorities to take care of advertisements involving unhealthy products or products which are harmful for health. Also products that contains high fat, alcohol, aerated beverages and tobacco items has also been asked to keep in check for advertisement.

In a letter to Railway Board Chairman A K Mittal, Health secretary C K Mishra said, "Indirect, surrogate or illegal advertisements of alcohol, tobacco products, as well as unhealthy food products that can increase the risk of non communicable diseases (NCDs) is a matter of concern."

To stop any negative health impact health ministry has asked railway to not let its assets to be used for advertising such products whose direct impact in questionable to healthy life.

"Any move to further promote products that have negative health externalities will be counter-productive and will scuttle on-going efforts to reduce or regulate consumption of alcohol, tobacco, food containing high fats, sugar and salt (HFSS), sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) including aerated and non-aerated beverages," Mishra wrote in the letter.