'Slowly Killing Us', Nithin Kamath Raises Alarm Over Sugar & Adulteration In Packaged Foods

With spreading of awareness and consciousness, Indians are now slowly taking notice of everything that they eat. Until recently, a majority of us wouldn't even bother checking the ingredients of items that we consume on a daily basis.

Zerodha co-founder and CEO, Nithin Kamath has initiated an important dialogue regarding the nutritional value and safety of the food we eat. Kamath's tweet highlights a growing concern regarding the prevalence of food adulteration and excessive sugar content in Indian diets, urging consumers to be more vigilant and informed.

In his tweet, he shared a news article on sugar consumption. He wrote,

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¡°We Indians need to question what goes into the food we consume. The more we ask, the better choices we will have. The sugar content in most of our food is ridiculous.¡±

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Sugar Content Isn't The Only Evil, Adulteration In Basic Food Items Is Also A Cause Of Worry

The entrepreneur's criticism goes beyond solely addressing sugar. He highlights the pervasive issue of adulteration in basic food staples like spices, milk, and protein supplements.

¡°Adulteration in food items like masalas, milk and protein. And then there are substandard chemicals used in food coloring and preservatives in fruits and vegetables. They are all slowly killing us,¡± Kamath warns.

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Kamath's message emphasizes that consumers play a vital role in demanding higher quality and transparency in food production. He urges consumers to recognize their influence and take action by questioning the ingredients and practices used in food manufacturing, ultimately advocating for safer and healthier options.

¡°This applies to both packaged foods and food from many restaurants,¡± the billionaire emphasized.

We Indians need to question what goes into the food we consume. The more we ask, the better choices we will have. The sugar content in most of our food is ridiculous. Adulteration in food items like masalas, milk and protein. And then there are substandard chemicals used in food¡­ pic.twitter.com/rJet0s14PG

— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) May 28, 2024

New Guidelines Set Limits on Sugar Content in Packaged Foods to Tackle Obesity and Diabetes

The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have collaborated to address sugar consumption in packaged foods, recommending thresholds for sugar content for the first time. This shift from focusing solely on calorie thresholds aims to combat rising obesity and diabetes rates. The guidelines, backed by the health ministry, could impact various products like soft drinks, cookies, and cereals. Industry executives have raised concerns about the feasibility of these guidelines, as they may require brands to alter their formulations.

For solid foods, added sugar should not exceed 5% of total energy intake, and total sugar should not exceed 10%. For beverages, the limit is set at 10% energy from added sugar and 30% from total sugar, including natural sugars in fruit juices and milk.

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