Unpacking the Packaged: Ultra-Processed Foods and Your Heart

April 2025

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – India Research Center and Anuvaad Solutions recently hosted a webinar “Unpacking the Packaged: Ultra-Processed Foods and Your Heart” on April 30, 2025, focusing on the link between ultra processed foods and the rising prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in India. This session marked the launch of a new webinar series, “The Impact of Diets on Non-Communicable Diseases: Evidence and the Next Steps,” aimed at strengthening public health responses in India. 

The discussion began with opening remarks by Dr. Swati Bakshi, Deputy Director, Harvard Chan India Research Center.

This was followed by a panel discussion featuring esteemed experts and thought leaders in the field:

1. Dr. Avinash Sunthlia, Deputy Assistant Director General, Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India
2. Dr. Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
3. Dr. Yutaro Setoya, Team Lead for NCDs and Comorbidities, World Health Organization India Country Office
4. Dr. Meenakshi Sharma, Scientist G, Non communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi

The panel was moderated by Dr. Cindy Leung, Assistant Professor of Public Health Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The discussion concluded with closing remarks by Dr. Ananya Awasthi, Founder and Director, Anuvaad Solutions. 

The discussion focused on the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases in India, the contribution of ultra-processed food consumption as one of the key dietary risk factors, and the need for enhanced regulatory frameworks, dietary surveillance mechanisms, and evidence-based public health interventions.