On Thursday, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) stated that it is currently collecting samples of Nestle’s Cerelac baby cereals from various regions across India. This action follows a global report alleging an increase in the sugar content of the product.
“We are in the process of gathering samples of Nestle’s Cerelac baby cereals from various regions of the country. The entire procedure is expected to span 15-20 days,” shared G Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI), during an Assocham event on food fortification.
Continue Exploring: Nestle faces regulatory heat as FSSAI launches probe into Cerelac sugar controversy
FSSAI operates as a statutory body within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The decision was made in response to concerns voiced by the consumer affairs ministry as well as the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) following the publication of a global report by Swiss non-governmental organisation Public Eye.
The global report alleges that Nestle marketed baby products with higher sugar content in less developed regions of South Asia, such as India, as well as in Africa and Latin American countries, in contrast to its practices in European markets.
Nonetheless, Nestle India asserts its unwavering commitment to compliance, affirming that it has decreased the added sugar content in its baby food products by up to 30% across various variants over the last five years.
Continue Exploring: Nestle India responds to sugar concerns in baby food, highlights 30% reduction in added sugars over 5 years
Earlier, at the Assocham event, the CEO of FSSAI highlighted the importance of food fortification for human health and called for fortification beyond rice to include millets and other alternative foods.
He added that FMCG firms have introduced various millet-based products in recent years and can continue to broaden the range of nutritious foods available in the country.
The CEO also took the opportunity to unveil an Assocham knowledge report titled “Fortifying India’s Future: The Importance of Food Fortification and Nutrition.”
LT Foods Global Branded Business CEO Vivek Chandra, Shariqua Yunus from the World Food Programme, Fortify Health CEO Tony Senanyake, and Farm to Fork Solutions CEO Umesh Kamble also shared insights on food fortification.
