Regulatory update: FSSAI bans '100% Fruit Juice' claims on reconstituted juices Regulatory update: FSSAI bans '100% Fruit Juice' claims on reconstituted juices Content Editor: Dr. Sumana June 12, 2024 Press Information Bureau Food Safety, Food Adulteration, Food standards FSSAI mandates all Food Business Operators (FBOs ) to immediately remove ‘100% fruit juices’ claims from labels and ads of reconstituted fruit juices. FBOs were instructed to use all pre-printed packaging effectively by September 1, 2024. FSSAI found inaccurate marketing of reconstituted juices as ‘100% fruit juices,’ which is misleading since these contain mainly water. The Food Safety and Standards (Advertising and Claims) Regulations, 2018, prohibit ‘100%’ claims. FBOs must comply with sub-regulation 2.3.6 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards & Food Additives) Regulation, 2011, and a compulsory mention of “reconstituted” on labels . Products with added sweeteners over 15 g/kg must be labeled ‘Sweetened juice.’ The FSSAI is committed to safeguarding public health by overseeing and enforcing food safety standards nationwide. Click here to read more.

11 critical interventions for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups 11 critical interventions for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups Content Editor: Dr Urmimala Maiti December 6, 2023 Press Information Bureau Tribal Health, Intersectoral Co-ordination, PM JANMAN The Union Cabinet, under the Development Action Plan for the Scheduled Tribes (DAPST) has approved The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN). India has Scheduled Tribe population of 10.45 crore as per the 2011 census, out of which 75 communities located in 18 States and the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Targeting the PVTG, the mission aims at improving their socioeconomic conditions using 11 interventions with basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water, and sanitation, improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, and sustainable livelihood opportunities. An overall budget of ₹24104 crore is allocated for the mission, with specific cost norms for each activity.

Public Health Daily News Snippets WHO Bulletin Releases Special Edition on Traditional Medicine Ahead of Global Summit The WHO Bulletin published its first special issue on traditional medicine since 1977, featuring research and policy analyses. This release precedes the 2nd WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine scheduled for December 2025 in New Delhi. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health, Traditional Medicine Integration Read More Global Summit in Geneva Intensified Efforts to Curb Toxic Mercury Pollution A major international conference was held in Geneva from 3rd to 7th November 2025 to strengthen the global fight against mercury pollution . Delegates collaborated to accelerate the phase-out of this toxic metal from products and industrial processes, aiming to protect human health and the environment. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : United Nations Environmental Health, International Policy Read More Fitness & Nation-Building: Insights from the National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 The first-ever National Fitness & Wellness Conclave 2025 in Mumbai brought together policymakers, athletes, and industry leaders to reaffirm one message: India’s progress towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047 depends on how seriously we take fitness today. With icons from sports and cinema joining the conversation, the conclave highlighted fitness as both a cultural shift and a public health necessity. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fit India Movement, Physical Activity, Non-Communicable Diseases, Viksit Bharat Read More Global Evidence Review of the Inequality- Pandemic Cycle: UNAIDS report The UNAIDS established the “Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemic ” in 2023. Its report “Breaking the inequality-pandemic cycle ” released in November 2025 is based on evidence from more than 1500 peer-reviewed literature and reports from government agencies and research institutions across multiple pandemics and its own empirical studies over the past 2 years. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 2025 Pandemic preparedness, Social inequality, Global Health Read More Decomposition Analysis of Factors Driving Global Maternal Mortality Reduction A new Lancet Global Health paper highlights evidence that combining family planning with quality maternity services has driven a 41% global decline in maternal deaths since 2000. The study shows how contraception alone prevented more than 77,000 maternal deaths in 2023. Published on : Friday, November 28, 2025 Source : The Lancet Global Health Maternal Health, Reproductive & Sexual Health, Gender Equality, Family Planning, Declining Global Maternal Mortality Read More Delhi’s Air Quality Sees Noticeable Improvement: CAQM 2025 Report The 2025 update from the C ommission for A ir Q uality M anagement (CAQM ) highlights significant enhancements in Delhi's air quality and a marked reduction in stubble-burning incidents in nearby states. The report offers data-backed evidence of collaborative efforts to reduce pollution through the use of cleaner fuels, improved waste management, and more stringent regulatory measures. Published on : Tuesday, November 18, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Air Pollution, Environmental Health, Public Health Policy Read More Genomic Collaboration for a Safer Future: India and Italy Unite for Pandemic Preparedness The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) round table in New Delhi emphasized the power of genomic research and collaboration in strengthening pandemic preparedness. Experts called for sustained global surveillance and rapid translation of genomic data to safeguard public health. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : Press Information Bureau, New Delhi Genomic Surveillance, Pandemic Readiness Read More WHO Unveils Global Agenda to Strengthen Paediatric Clinical Trials The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global research agenda to close gaps in evidence on child health. It prioritizes equitable, high-impact paediatric trials to ensure that treatments for children are safe, effective, and grounded in sound science. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Health Research, Pediatric Health, Clinical Trials Read More WHO refutes Tylenol-Autism Link: Urges Evidence-Based Care A statement by the current US President, which linked Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism, prompted an immediate response from the World Health Organization. The WHO clarified that no scientific evidence supports this claim and urged reliance on medical guidance. Published on : Friday, November 14, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Maternal and Child Health, Health Communication, Global Health Governance Read More 2025 Lancet Countdown Report on Climate Change and Health Impacts of climate inaction have led to a 23% increase in heat-related deaths since the 1990s. Food insecurity affected 124 million more people due to extreme weather in 2023, with losses reaching $1.35 trillion. Addressing climate change has prevented 160,000 premature deaths from coal pollution and supported 16 million jobs in renewable energy. With COP30 ahead, WHO, along with member states, plans to emphasize climate action and a swift transition away from fossil fuels. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Climate change, food insecurity, Sustainability Read More WHO Introduces New Global Framework to Enhance National Health Emergency Response The World Health Organization has unveiled a new global guide, the National Health Emergency Alert and Response Framework, to bolster countries' readiness for health crises. Developed from lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a standardized approach for managing emergencies. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : World Health Organization Global Health Security, Emergency Preparedness Read More Training Modules to Strengthen Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Response in India The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has introduced three specialized training modules to enhance India’s capacity for managing chemical emergencies. This initiative aims to build a skilled, coordinated response system across healthcare and disaster management sectors. Published on : Friday, November 7, 2025 Source : PIB Delhi Chemical Emergencies Preparedness, IHR, Disaster management Read More Daily News Snippets Monthly Archives 01-10 February, 2024 View More 14-20 January, 2024 View More 19-25th November, 2024 (26) View More 23-31stOctober, 2023 (18) View More 28-31 January, 2024 View More 7-13 January, 2024 View More 5-11th November, 2023 (5) View More 15-21st October, 2023 (12) View More 21-27 January, 2024 View More 26-30th November, 2024 (20) View More 01-04th November, 2023(4) View More 08-14th October, 2023 (5) View More March 27 - 31, 2023 (15) View More March 6 - 12, 2023 (24) View More February 23 - 25, 2023 (3) View More February 15 - 16, 2023 (8) View More March 20 - 25, 2023 (18) View More March 1 - 5, 2023 (8) View More February 20 - 22, 2023 (2) View More February 07 - 14, 2023 (5) View More March 13 - 18, 2023 (8) View More February 26 - 28, 2023 (15) View More February 17 - 19, 2023 (3) View More February 01 - 06, 2023 (5) View More Subscribe to get Latest Public Health Updates SUBSCRIBE

RURAL HEALTH STATISTICS 2020-21 RURAL HEALTH STATISTICS 2020-21 January 13, 2023 Tribune Rural Health, National Health Mission Each Community Health Centre (CHC) serves a population of 80000 - 120000. Under the National Health Mission, a CHC requires to be manned by 4 medical specialists: surgeon, physician, obstetrician/gynaecologist, paediatrician; along with paramedical staff. As per the RURAL HEALTH STATISTICS 2020-21 report, there is a shortfall of 83.2% surgeons, 81.6% paediatricians, 79.1% physicians and 74.2% obstetricians and gynaecologists. Overall, there is a shortfall of 79.9% specialists at the CHCs as compared to the requirement for existing CHCs with 67.8% of the sanctioned posts remaining vacant. The shortfall (which excludes the existing surplus in some of the States) in the posts of Health Worker (Female) / Auxillary Nurse Midwife is 2.9% of the total requirement as per the norm of one HW(F) / ANM per Sub Centre and PHC (Primary Health Centre).

Acute emergencies monthly report: May 2024 Content Editor: Dr. Ghurumourthy July 22, 2024 at 2:45:00 PM Outbreaks, Emergencies, Infectious diseases, International health The WHO Health Emergencies Programme aims to enhance member states' capability to manage health emergencies and coordinate international responses during crises. In May 2024, the programme reported three disease outbreak news (DON) events, including a global dengue outbreak with over 7.6 million cases and more than 3,000 deaths, particularly severe in the Americas, exceeding last year's annual total cases of 4.6 million . Effective control requires robust real-time surveillance to detect and manage cases, co-infections, and misdiagnoses. Additionally, an outbreak of hepatitis E in Chad , linked to inadequate sanitation among displaced populations, saw 2092 suspected cases and seven deaths. Controlling the outbreak involves WHO and multiple partners, emphasizing safe water and hygiene. The report also covered three MERS-CoV cases in Saudi Arabia, stressing the importance of healthcare worker safety and ongoing vigilance. The global cholera situation remains dire, with nearly 195,000 cases reported across 24 countries and the vaccine supply struggling to meet demand. Click here to read more. Previous Next

Women with HIV in Kolkata- The silent suffering Women with HIV in Kolkata- The silent suffering Content Editor: Dr Sumana Mukhopadhyay April 18, 2024 PLoS One Mental health, HIV stigma A qualitative study in Kolkata highlighted the poor mental health among women living with HIV due to stigma and discrimination, compounded by other marginalized identities. Semi-structured interviews with 31 women and 16 key informants revealed mental health issues such as worry, sadness, hopelessness, and fear, with avoidance of biomedical labels to prevent additional stigmatization. The findings reported that women living with HIV in Kolkata, India, face intersectional stigma due to additional marginalized identities, impacting their mental and physical health. Stress from intersectional stigma leads to adverse physical health outcomes, such as Medication non-adherence, Fluctuating CD4 counts, and Somatic symptoms like headaches and loss of appetite. Women's reluctance to disclose mental health concerns reflects a desire to avoid additional stigmatization , highlighting the need for integrated psychosocial and psychological interventions. Effective support for women living with HIV requires a combination of mental health screening, stigma reduction interventions, and referrals for specialized psychotherapeutic and pharmacological care, tailored to their lived experiences and cultural context. Click here to read more