Union Health Minister J P Nadda informed the Lok Sabha that Nestle’s baby products meet India’s 2020 food safety regulations for added sugar content. This assurance follows inspections prompted by a Swiss NGO report raising concerns over added sugar in infant food.
Responding to a question in Parliament, Nadda stated that the sugar content in Nestle’s baby products was found to comply with the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020. These regulations set limits on added sugars in infant food, aligning with international standards established by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Added sugar per serving was found to be within permissible limits under the 2020 regulations,” Nadda said. He explained that the prescribed limits are on par with global guidelines.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) took suo motu cognisance of a Swiss NGO’s report highlighting concerns over sugar in wheat-based baby food. Following this, inspections were carried out on April 29 and 30 at manufacturing facilities producing these infant products.
“Upon detailed scrutiny of the product, it was confirmed that added sugar per serving complied with the standards,” Nadda told the House.
The statement comes as reassurance to consumers and stakeholders amid ongoing concerns about sugar content in infant nutrition products.