The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a nationwide sampling campaign for Nestle's Cerelac baby cereal following a global report that raised concerns about the product's higher sugar content in developing countries compared to Europe. This initiative responds to concerns expressed by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao revealed that samples of Nestle's Cerelac baby cereals are being collected from various regions across India. This process is expected to take approximately 15-20 days. Nestle India has responded to the allegations, asserting its unwavering commitment to compliance. The company stated that it has significantly reduced the added sugar content in its baby food products in India by up to 30% over the past five years, depending on the variants.
During an Assocham event focusing on food fortification, the FSSAI CEO emphasized the critical role of fortification in promoting human health. He called for fortification efforts to encompass not only rice but also millets and other alternative foods. Additionally, he encouraged FMCG firms to introduce more millet-based products, highlighting their potential to enrich the range of nutritional foods available in India.
In conjunction with the sampling initiative, the FSSAI CEO unveiled a comprehensive knowledge report titled 'Fortifying India's Future: Significance of Food Fortification and Nutrition.' This report aims to raise awareness about the benefits of food fortification and its crucial role in enhancing public health.
The Assocham event featured insightful discussions by industry experts, including 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. These experts shared valuable insights on food fortification and nutrition, underscoring the importance of these initiatives in improving public health outcomes.
In terms of food safety and standards, food companies must strictly follow FSSAI regulations. FSSAI registration is mandatory for all food businesses in India, including manufacturers, traders, restaurants and food business units. FSSAI registration ensures that food meets the necessary quality and safety standards, which ensures the health of consumers. FSSAI also conducts regular inspections and tests to ensure compliance with these standards, such as the recent action on Nestle's Cerelac baby cereal.
Conclusion
FSSAI's activities underline its commitment to ensuring food safety and standards in India. The organization emphasizes the importance of compliance with FSSAI regulations for all food operators to ensure the quality and safety of food in the market.
Why is FSSAI sampling Nestle's Cerelac?
- FSSAI is sampling Nestle's Cerelac following concerns about higher sugar content in the product in developing countries compared to Europe, as reported in a global study.
What has Nestle India stated in response to the allegations?
- Nestle India has maintained that it has not compromised on compliance and has reduced the added sugar content in its baby food products in India by up to 30% over the past five years.
What is the significance of food fortification according to the FSSAI CEO?
- The FSSAI CEO emphasized the importance of fortification beyond rice to include millets and other alternative foods for better human health.
What is the purpose of the knowledge report unveiled by the FSSAI CEO?
- The knowledge report, titled 'Fortifying India's Future: Significance of Food Fortification and Nutrition,' aims to raise awareness about the benefits of food fortification and its role in improving public health.
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