The Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) has recently published updated dietary guidelines that aim to address sugar consumption among children and adults. These recommendations advise against any added sugar for children under two years of age and suggest limiting sugar intake to 5% of daily calories for individuals over two years old.
These guidelines are in alignment with the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations set forth in 2015.
High sugar consumption has been linked to a variety of health issues, including obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases. This raises concerns about India's current food policies, which still permit higher sugar levels in infant and packaged foods.
One significant controversy surrounds Nestlé, which has faced criticism for including sugar in baby food products such as Cerelac in India while omitting it in more affluent countries. Furthermore, India's Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations allow for up to 20% sucrose and/or fructose in total carbohydrates, a figure that experts argue is excessive.
Experts have voiced their concerns regarding sugar consumption:
A staggering 56.4% of India's disease burden is related to diet. A significant portion of the population suffers from diabetes, pre-diabetes, or obesity as a result of poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles.
Experts are advocating for mandatory scientific cut-offs for salt, sugar, and fats in processed foods. There is also a push for increased transparency in food labeling and more stringent enforcement of regulations to safeguard public health.
As pressure mounts from nutrition advocates and public health experts, potential policy reforms regarding food labeling and sugar content regulations may be on the horizon. Consumer awareness is crucial, emphasizing the need for education about the health risks associated with high sugar intake and the importance of scrutinizing food labels.
The new dietary guidelines by ICMR-NIN signify an important step towards mitigating the health impacts of excessive sugar consumption. Stricter regulations and enhanced transparency in food labeling are vital for protecting public health and combating the rising prevalence of diet-related diseases in India.
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