The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is reviewing the norms for packaged baby food in India to revise current sugar limit. This comes after a massive controversy over the sugar content of Nestlé’s Ceralac.
Last year, an investigation by the Swiss investigative agency revealed that international food giant Nestlé adds sugar to powdered baby food in low- and middle-income countries including India, but not in rich countries. It was found that in India all variants of Cerelac “contain added sugar, on average nearly 3 grams per serving”.
According to a report by The Print, a scientific panel had been assigned to assess existing Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, meant for packaged food items for infants and toddlers aged 6-24 months. Reportedly, it is working on making suitable recommendations, wherever needed.
An official, quoted by The Print, revealed that recommendations from the panel are likely in a few months. This will lead to revised draft regulation for infant nutrition, which will then be put in the public domain for feedback.
The Print report also revealed that the decision to analyse baby food was in line with the national dietary guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) last May, which advised against sugar for kids till the age of two.
How bad sugar is for your kids?
American Heart Association (AHA) recommends less than 25 grams (6 teaspoons) of sugar per day for children ages 2 to 18 years. AHA warns that children younger than 2 years should have no sugar at all.
The national dietary guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) also emphases on reducing sugar consumption. According to the guidelines, pregnant, lactating women and children should avoid sugar and sugar substitutes.
Meanwhile, experts have maintained that it is important to promote healthy eating habits from childhood and the food should include diverse ingredients with minimal addition of refined sugar and salt, The Print reported.
A 2024 study published in the Nature journal also maintained that limiting sugar intake among babies can protect them from many chronic disease like diabetes.