Document M-001 · v0 · ratified 2026-04

The Don't Eat Framework.

Six axes. Three verdicts. Every claim cited. This document is the reference — versioned, public, and amendable when evidence warrants it.

§ 01 · Verdicts

Three tiers, no ambiguity.

● Eat

Zero red-flag axes. Composition aligns with claims. No regulatory history of concern.

● Think Twice

One or more yellow-flag axes. Acceptable in moderation; not as a daily staple. Read the entry before deciding.

● Don't Eat

One or more red-flag axes, or marketing materially deceives buyers. The entry shows exactly which axis failed and why.

§ 02 · The six axes

What we measure.

01
Sugar load
WHO <25 g/day free sugars · ICMR Dietary Guidelines 2024
● Red

≥ 15 g per typical serve, or sugar in top-3 ingredients

● Yellow

5–15 g per serve, or added sugar present but ≤ top-5

● Green

< 5 g per serve, no added sugar

02
Processing tier
Monteiro et al., NOVA classification
● Red

NOVA Group 4 (ultra-processed)

● Yellow

NOVA Group 3 (processed)

● Green

NOVA Group 1–2 (unprocessed / culinary)

03
Fat / oil type
FSSAI labelling rules · ICMR trans-fat advisory
● Red

Partially hydrogenated oils, or > 1 g trans fat per serve

● Yellow

Refined palm/palmolein, or > 5 g saturated per serve

● Green

Cold-pressed oils, no trans fats, sat fat in moderation

04
Sodium
WHO < 2000 mg/day target
● Red

≥ 600 mg per serve

● Yellow

300–600 mg per serve

● Green

< 300 mg per serve

05
Marketing deception
FSSAI advisories · ASCI complaints register
● Red

Active FSSAI/ASCI ruling, or front-of-pack claim contradicted by ingredients

● Yellow

Soft framing (e.g. 'health drink', 'natural') unsupported by composition

● Green

Claims align with composition; no rulings on record

06
Regulatory history
Public record · court filings · regulator notices
● Red

Recall, ban, or sustained adverse finding in last 10 years

● Yellow

Pending complaint or unresolved advisory

● Green

Clean public record

§ 03 · Scope

What's in scope.

  • · Indian packaged food sold at retail.
  • · Branded products with declared ingredients on pack.
  • · Categories: snacks, beverages, dairy, breakfast, condiments, ready-meals.
  • · Variants assessed individually when composition differs materially.
§ 04 · Limits

What we don't claim.

  • · Not medical advice. Individual needs vary.
  • · Not a recall list. Regulatory action belongs to FSSAI.
  • · Not exhaustive. Absence ≠ endorsement.
  • · Composition can change between batches; we date every assessment.
§ 05 · Changelog

Versions.

  1. v0
    2026-04-01
    Initial public methodology. Six axes, three-tier verdict.