Sugar warning labels missing in baby food regulations, committee finds

The Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution examined the regulation of packaged commodities, specifically focusing on sugar content in baby and other food products, to address health risks associated with excessive sugar intake and improve consumer understanding of labels.

This concerns the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and the general public, particularly parents and consumers of packaged food and infant products.

• The Committee recommended introducing a mandatory sugar-level classification framework based on WHO and ICMR scientific thresholds, noting that current absolute number disclosures are not easily understood by consumers.
• The Committee recommended that FSSAI finalise and notify the draft Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling Regulations, which have been pending since September 2022, including colour-coded indicators for sugar levels.
• The Committee recommended that FSSAI periodically review sugar limits in infant packaged foods every two to three years and promote formulations with zero or minimal added sugar.
• The Committee recommended FSSAI establish a periodic or risk-based re-verification mechanism for product formulations after initial approval to detect undetected changes in sugar content.
• The Committee recommended strengthening the framework for third-party scientific substantiation of sugar-related and health claims, including mandatory independent validation by empanelled scientific institutions.
• The Committee recommended nationwide consumer awareness campaigns, such as the 'Eat Right' initiative, and targeted outreach through schools, anganwadis, and maternity clinics.
• The Committee recommended establishing a dedicated monitoring mechanism for mislabelled packaged food products sold on e-commerce platforms, with closer coordination between FSSAI and the Department of Consumer Affairs.

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