GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5681
TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH APRIL, 2025
SUGAR ADDED IN BABY FOOD PRODUCTS
5681. ADV GOWAAL KAGADA PADAVI:
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) know about the quantity of sugar added in baby food products as compared to European countries which follow European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any regulatory measures has been adopted by the FSSAI regarding Ultra Processed Foods (UPF) in the country and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to impose restrictions in this regard?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (c): The Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 202 prescribes the standards for different categories of Infant food and formulae. The limits specified for sugars in infant food products in the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020 is at par with the global standards namely Codex Alimentarius Commission, which takes into account the recommendation of World Health Organization (WHO) while setting food standards. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is fully committed to ensure the availability of safe food products to the consumers across the country. Towards this, regular surveillance drives, monitoring, regulatory inspection and random sampling of various food products including frozen food products are conducted throughout the year by the officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/ UTs and Regional offices of FSSAI. In the event of any violations, strict regulatory actions such as imposing penalty, suspension or cancellation of licenses etc are enforced against the offenders in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 and as per nature of contraventions.
Further, Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020notified by FSSAI mandates to mention nutritional information on the labels with respect to salt, sugar and fat for consumer to make informed choices while selecting the food articles.