Why are sugary processed foods harmful?
- April 21, 2024
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Why are sugary processed foods harmful?
Subject: Science and tech
Sec: Health
Why is it problematic to label malt-based, sugary milk products as ‘health’ drinks?
- Labeling malt-based, sugary milk products like Bournvita as ‘health’ drinks is problematic because they contain high levels of sugar, which can be misleading to consumers seeking healthy options.
- A typical product contains 86.7g of carbohydrates per 100g, with 49.8g being sugars, including 37.4g of added sucrose.
- Each recommended 20g serving includes nearly 10g of sugar.
- The malting process, originally used in whiskey production, converts cereal starch into sugar, adding to the drink’s sugar content through naturally occurring sugars like maltose, as well as added sugars such as maltodextrin and liquid glucose.
- This high sugar content poses a health risk, particularly in terms of obesity and diabetes, contradicting the ‘health’ drink label.
What is FSSAI’s stand on sugar content?
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) specifies in its 2018 regulations that only products containing less than 5g of total sugar per 100g can be marketed as ‘low on sugar’ and by extension, potentially ‘healthy.’
- Products that do not meet this criterion but are still advertised as ‘health drinks’ present a concern. This is particularly troubling for children who may consume multiple servings, potentially exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended daily sugar intake of 25 grams (about six teaspoons).
- The issue is compounded in Indian households where it is common to add extra sugar to these drinks, further increasing sugar consumption.
What is the controversy over baby food?
- The controversy over baby food, specifically Nestlé’s Wheat Apple Cherry Cerelac for children aged eight to 24 months, centers on its high sugar content—24 grams per 100 grams.
- This level of sugar intake, primarily from ingredients like milk solids and maltodextrin, is considered harmful by experts.
- The concern is that infants transitioning from breast milk, which contains the naturally less sweet sugar lactose, to these sugary foods are exposed to excessive sugar.
- This can strain a baby’s pancreas, potentially leading to increased insulin production, and raising risks of future diabetes and obesity.
- Additionally, ingredients like maltodextrin, which has a higher glycemic index than table sugar, can contribute to conditions like fatty liver and insulin resistance.
- This issue is particularly alarming given the high rates of diabetes in India, with an estimated 101.3 million people possibly affected.
Will an FSSAI probe be enough to curb the practice of misleading labels?
- The FSSAI’s draft notification from September 2022 defines high fat, sugar, salt (HFSS) foods and aims to guide consumer awareness through front-of-pack labelling.
- However, the regulation remains ambiguous about whether companies are required to explicitly declare fat, sugar, and salt content on the front of packaging.
- Additionally, the FSSAI proposes using ‘health rating stars’ instead of more direct warning labels.
- Critics argue that health stars might confuse consumers who lack the time or expertise to interpret these ratings based on the FSSAI’s criteria for sugar and fat content. This suggests that an FSSAI probe, in its current form, may not sufficiently curb the practice of misleading labels without clearer, more direct labeling requirements.
Way forward:
- The way forward in addressing misleading food labels and marketing involves revising current regulations and developing clearer definitions of ‘healthy’ and ‘unhealthy’ foods and beverages.
- The existing regulations, like the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations of 2019, permit certain sugars in infant nutrition, suggesting these rules need reconsideration to better protect consumers.
- Additionally, comprehensive regulations on front-of-pack labeling and definitions of high fat, sugar, and salt foods have been proposed but have not progressed effectively.
- Despite regulations that prohibit the promotion of infant foods through advertising, violations occur, including promotions by social media influencers.
- Moreover, partnerships like that of Hindustan Unilever Limited with the Pune Zilla Parishad, where Horlicks is added to midday meals and branded as a health food, demonstrate the ongoing challenges in ensuring truthful health claims.