Over Half of Quick-App Foods Are Ultra-Processed, Survey Finds

A new survey has raised serious concerns about ultra-processed foods in quick-commerce apps, revealing that more than half the items listed on Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart fall into the junk or high-fat, high-sugar, high-salt category. As more teenagers and young adults rely on quick-delivery apps for snacks and meals, experts warn that India’s health risks are rising sharply.

The majority of Listed Foods Are Ultra-Processed

The LocalCircles survey found that:

62% of food items on Blinkit,
58% on Zepto, and
54% on Swiggy Instamart

Are ultra-processed. These include instant noodles, sweetened drinks, chocolates, chips, packaged snacks, and ready-to-eat meals.

The survey gathered 24,000+ responses from parents across 277 districts. Notably, 39% of parents said their children regularly order these items from online grocery apps. Because ultra-processed foods in quick-commerce apps are cheap, tasty and convenient, families say children find it difficult to avoid them.

Soft drinks, biscuits, chips and chocolates remain the most commonly ordered items.

Parents Want Warning Labels on Food Listings

A major concern among parents is the lack of clear nutrition warnings.
Nine in ten parents said that a RED warning symbol on app listings similar to proposed front-of-pack labels in stores would help young users make healthier decisions.

Experts Warn of Serious Health Impact

India’s top nutrition bodies, including the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), have clearly warned against high consumption of ultra-processed foods.

According to their guidelines, UPFs:

They are low in fibre and essential nutrients
Contains excessive sugar, salt and unhealthy fats
They are designed to be addictive
Increase the risk of chronic diseases

High intake of these foods is strongly linked to obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, strokes, and even premature ageing.

The Economic Survey reports that 56.4% of India’s total disease burden now stems from unhealthy diets dominated by junk food.

Junk-Food Sales Rising Rapidly

After a brief slowdown during the pandemic, sales of ultra-processed foods have rebounded sharply.
A WHO–ICRIER analysis showed a strong “V-shaped” recovery in products such as salty snacks, sugary drinks, convenience foods and breakfast cereals, with retail sales growing more than 10%.
Researchers warn that India’s eating habits are shifting from traditional home-cooked meals to packaged, ready-to-eat foods. Studies worldwide, including those by the Global Food Research Programme, consistently show that ultra-processed foods contribute to obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, kidney disease, cancer and even early death.

Issue Raised in Parliament

The dangers of ultra-processed foods in quick-commerce apps were also discussed in Parliament this week.

BJP MP Tejasvi Surya cautioned that UPFs are rapidly replacing traditional diets, especially among youth and low-income households.

He called for a three-part national strategy:

A clear definition of ultra-processed foods
Strong warning labels on food packaging
Taxes and advertising restrictions to reduce consumption

Countries like Chile, Mexico and Brazil have already implemented such measures with positive results.

Conclusion

Doctors across India are reporting:

Fatty liver in teenagers
Early-onset diabetes in young adults
Sharp rise in childhood obesity

Experts warn that India is heading toward a major lifestyle-disease crisis. Without strong policy action, from better labelling to stricter regulations, the influence of ultra-processed foods is likely to grow.

For now, the widespread availability of ultra-processed foods in quick-commerce apps continues to shape eating habits across the country, turning this issue into not just a matter of personal choice but a national health concern.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

The accused has been identified as Poonam, originally from Siwah village in Panipat and married in Bhawar village, Sonipat. She is related to the victim’s family, as her husband and the child’s father are cousins.
Police detained Poonam and produced her in court on Wednesday, after which she was placed in police custody for further questioning. During this time, she reportedly confessed to the crime.

How the Crime Took Place, According to Police

Investigators revealed that the Haryana woman drowned her 6-year-old niece after following the child to the terrace when other family members had stepped out.
Police officials stated that Poonam spoke briefly with the child before placing her in a plastic water tub near the storeroom. She allegedly held the child underwater until she drowned. After the act, she locked the door from outside and returned downstairs, pretending nothing had happened.

Police Uncover Earlier Child Deaths

As the investigation progressed, officers discovered a disturbing pattern. Poonam allegedly admitted that she had a history of harming children she perceived as “more beautiful,” revealing deep psychological concerns that experts say require urgent assessment.

According to Superintendent of Police Bhupender Singh, Poonam confessed to three earlier child killings:

In January 2023, she drowned her three-year-old son and her sister-in-law’s nine-year-old daughter in a water tank at her home in Bhavad village.
She reportedly killed her own son first to prevent suspicion in the nine-year-old’s death.
Later, in August 2025, she allegedly murdered her cousin’s six-year-old daughter at her parents’ home in Siwah.

At the time, the families believed these tragedies were accidental. Last rites were performed without knowing the deeper truth.

Jealousy and Mental Health Concerns Highlighted

During interrogation, Poonam reportedly told police that she felt “irritated by beautiful girls,” which may point toward severe, untreated mental health issues. Experts emphasise that such cases highlight the importance of early psychological intervention, especially when symptoms of emotional instability or harmful thoughts appear.

Conclusion

The case is still under detailed investigation, and police are evaluating whether more incidents may be connected. Meanwhile, mental health professionals stress the need for awareness about behavioural and psychological disorders that can lead to extreme actions if left unaddressed.
The tragic case of the Haryana woman drowning her 6-year-old niece sheds light on the complex intersection of mental health, family dynamics, and hidden violence, reminding communities to be vigilant and supportive when observing unusual behaviour in individuals.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

Priya Bairagi

Copy-Writer & Content Editor

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I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.