Samosas & Jalebis: Are They Junk Food?
Samosas and jalebis — two beloved Indian snacks — are now at the center of a national health conversation.
In a move aimed at curbing rising lifestyle diseases, the Indian Health Ministry has directed institutions like AIIMS to display warning boards highlighting the high oil and sugar content in such foods.
While not banned, these snacks are being compared to cigarettes in terms of health impact, prompting public debate. Are they truly junk food, or is moderation the key?

we explore what dietitians and doctors have to say and why awareness—not fear—is driving this initiative.
1. New Health Advisory: Warning Boards, Not Bans
- The Indian Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has asked AIIMS Nagpur and other central institutions to install “oil and sugar boards”—posters in cafeterias highlighting hidden fats and sugars in popular snacks like samosas, jalebis, gulab jamun, and vada pav.
- This initiative is a public awareness “nudge”, not a ban or explicit warning label on the food itself
2. Why the Comparison to Cigarette Warnings?
- Health experts note that excess trans fats, sugar, and calories in these foods contribute significantly to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even fatty liver.
- Studies predict that by 2050, over 449 million Indians could be overweight or obese
- With these stakes, the ministry likened the initiative to cigarette warnings—a strong visual cue, not a legal requirement
3. Traditional vs Ultra‑Processed Foods: Where Do Samosas & Jalebis Fit?
- Dietician Kanikka Malhotra and others emphasize that while traditional items like samosas and jalebis are not “harmless”, they lack the additives found in ultra-processed foods such as chips, cookies, and sodas.
- But both categories share one key problem: high calorie density with little nutrition
4. What Experts Say
Cardiologists:
- Dr. Sanjat Chiwane (Fortis): Samosas use reused oils, raising trans fat levels, which harm cardiovascular health
- Jalebis are loaded with sugar, disrupting glucose metabolism and raising risk for insulin resistance, hypertension, fatty liver, and arterial stiffness
Nutritionists:
- Dr. Anjali Ahuja: Samosas and jalebis can be “occasional treats”. They are made from simple ingredients and culturally important; moderators matter
- Dietician Garima Goyal: Regular consumption leads to insidious health effects especially when replacing balanced meals
Celebrity Dietician:

- Rujuta Diwekar criticizes the advisories, highlighting greater health risks from ultra-processed Western junk food like chips, colas, and cookies
- She suggests that traditional snacks shouldn’t be singled out over corporate junk food
5. How Does It Work in Practice?
- AIIMS Nagpur has already installed the first “oil & sugar boards” in cafeterias
- Expect other central establishments to adopt similar signage soon
- The focus is on education, not prohibition — enabling informed choices .
6. Comparing Calories & Impact
- A 100 g samosa contains ~260–300 kcal and ~15 g fat; one jalebi (~50 g) may contain ~150 kcal from sugar alone
- A plain cheese burger (~300 kcal, 13 g fat) or pizza slice (290 kcal, 12 g fat) are not far off the chart .
- The real concern lies in frequency and context, especially in sedentary lifestyles
7. Nutritional & Cultural Perspective
- Traditional Indian snacks use recognizable ingredients – flour, potatoes, sugar, spices. Ultra-processed foods have emulsifiers and preservatives
- Balance is essential – occasional indulgence is acceptable if overall diet remains healthy .
8. Practical Tips for Health-Conscious Consumption
- Make samosas at home using minimal oil & fresh ingredients.
- Choose controlled servings—one samosa + one jalebi instead of bingeing.
- Avoid reuse of cooking oil at street vendors.
- Pair snacks with fiber-rich foods or water to reduce spike.
- Substitute with baked or grilled versions for lower fat intake.
9. A Balanced Health Policy
- Government warnings are a step toward lifestyle disease prevention
- Education and balanced messaging are key—without stigmatizing tradition .
- The long-term goal is responsible eating, not fear-based rules.
- Samosas and jalebis are not villains—but they deserve being consumed mindfully.
- The health advisory mirrors efforts against smoking, but isn’t about restricting cultural foods.
- The biggest threat comes from frequent consumption, poor oil quality, and ultra-processed junk.
- Enjoy your treats, but remember: balance, moderation, and awareness are the keys to good health.