Reduce sugar content in dairy whitener: Food regulator

 

With India being home to a huge population of diabetic patients, the food regulator has asked the industry to reduce sugar content in dairy whitener used in tea and coffee in households.

Currently, the total added sugar for dairy whitener is 24 per cent by mass, which the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) wants to bring down to 18 per cent. The industry will be given two years to suitably modify the manufacturing process.

This was decided by the FSSAI in its 17th meeting held on May 18, the minutes of which were released last Friday.

‘24% sugar hazardous’

“There was near unanimity that the sugar level could not be kept at 24 per cent as a standard as it could be hazardous for consumers suffering from diabetes,” the food regulator said.

India is reported to have close to 65 million cases of diabetes, the second largest number after China. Union Health Ministry estimates suggest nearly 50 per cent of known diabetics cases—another 30 million plus—are undiagnosed and unaware of their condition and progressing towards complications.

A population-based diabetes screening programme carried out by the health ministry suggests high prevalence of diabetes in several states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab and Sikkim where the prevalence varies between 7-14 per cent. The suspected prevalence of diabetes in urban slums is also high—about 12 per cent.

The industry representative, however, argued at the meeting that it might not be feasible for the manufacturers to switch to the 18 per cent sugar standard. But the regulator was firm that the industry had to shift to the new standard, as higher sugar level is a health hazard.

The 18 per cent sugar standard was fixed by the Bureau of Indian Standards, which the FSSAI asked the manufacturers like Nestle, Amul and Mother Dairy to follow. In the meeting, the industry was represented by the All India Food Processors’ Association.

Alcoholic beverages

In the same meeting, the FSSAI had also approved draft standards for alcoholic beverages and the necessary labelling conditions for imported liquors.

The official process has now begun to publish the draft notification on alcoholic beverages seeking public comments.

Earlier this year, the Central Advisory Committee of the FSSAI had given the go-ahead to make standards for alcoholic beverages like vodka, gin, whisky, rum, brandy and beer.