India Proposes Stricter Sugar Limits on Packaged Foods and Beverages

National Institute of Nutrition Initiates Dietary Guideline Revamp

INDIA: The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), has proposed revised dietary guidelines to address high sugar content in packaged foods and beverages. This marks a departure from the previous focus on calorie thresholds that have been in place for 13 years.

Sugar Content Thresholds at the Forefront

The new guidelines, curated by an expert committee at NIN, set specific limits on sugar content. For solid foods, the proposed threshold is around 5% of total energy intake from added sugar, with a maximum of 10% from all sugars (including naturally occurring ones). For beverages, the limit is stricter, with a proposed threshold of 10% of energy intake from added sugar and a maximum of 30% from total sugars (including natural sugars in fruit juices and milk).

This shift in focus from calories to sugar content reflects growing concerns about the negative health impacts of excessive sugar consumption. Dr. Babina NM, Chief Medical Officer at Jindal Naturecure Institut, stated, “With time, if passed, this change may contribute to people consuming less sugar overall and promoting better eating practices. It also raises people’s awareness of how much sugar is in food, encouraging them to carefully study labels and make educated decisions.”

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Hidden Sugars in Packaged Foods

Dr. Babina highlighted the prevalence of hidden sugars in packaged foods, saying, “Certain items, such as candy and soft drinks, may have extremely high added sugar content. For instance, about 39 grams, or about 10 teaspoons, of sugar, can be found in one can of soda.” She added, “Significant amounts of hidden sugars can be found in products like breads, sauces, and snacks—a category of goods not usually associated with sweetness.”

The potential impact of the proposed guidelines on public health is significant. Dr. Babina explained, “Sugars in packaged food can be harmful to your health in a number of ways. Increased sugar intake has been connected to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and dental issues.” She further stated, “Consuming too much sugar can also aggravate metabolic syndrome, which raises the risk of liver disease and stroke. High-sugar diets can also result in

If implemented, the proposed guidelines could have a substantial impact on the sugar content of packaged products available in India. This move aims to promote better eating practices and raise consumer awareness about the hidden sugars present in many packaged foods.

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