A new nationwide survey has raised serious concerns about the kind of food young Indians are consuming through quick-commerce platforms. LocalCircles, which gathered responses from more than twenty-four thousand parents across two hundred and seventy-seven districts, reports that close to half of all packaged food available on major apps falls into the category of junk or ultra-processed items. The findings point to a sharp rise in products high in fat, sugar, or salt dominating digital storefronts, leaving families with limited healthier alternatives.
Parents say this growing dependency on quick-commerce has made access to sweets, salty snacks, soft drinks, instant noodles, chocolates, and similar packaged items alarmingly easy. Thirty-nine percent of households in the study admitted that their Gen Z members frequently order these foods online, often without any awareness of the long-term effects on health. Over the past few years, ultra-processed products have been closely linked to obesity, early onset of diabetes, hypertension, and other lifestyle diseases. Health experts warn that these items tend to be high in calories but poor in fibre and vital micronutrients, creating a dangerous nutritional imbalance.
The research team also examined the inventory of top platforms. Blinkit showed the highest concentration, with as many as sixty-two percent of packaged food listings qualifying as ultra-processed or HFSS. Other players, including Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and Big Basket, were found to have more than forty percent of their packaged offerings in similar categories. Parents participating in the survey expressed deep concern about this overwhelming presence of unhealthy choices.
Ninety percent of respondents said they want online platforms to display a clear red marker on items considered harmful, arguing that simple labelling could guide young buyers toward better decisions. The survey signals rising public pressure for stronger regulation and transparent digital labelling to help address the swelling tide of obesity and diet-related illnesses among India’s youth.
