ICMR releases revised ‘Dietary Guidelines for Indians’

ICMR releases revised Dietary Guidelines for Indians

KAKALI DAS

What should Indians eat? They can eat whatever they desire, although it might be a popular answer, it’s not necessarily the best one.

Our diet significantly influences your health. A nutritious diet can maintain our well-being, while a poor one can lead to illness.

This isn’t just common knowledge; it’s also affirmed by a recent report from India’s premier medical authority, the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research).

The ICMR has discovered that 56% of diseases in India are associated with poor dietary habits. This could stem from excessive consumption of processed foods, high sugar intake, or inadequate nutrient intake. It’s staggering to think that over half of all diseases are food-related!

This raises the question: what defines a healthy diet, and what should a balanced plate consist of?

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According to the ICMR, a balanced daily diet should include: 100 grams of fruits, 85 grams of pulses, eggs, or meat, 35 grams of nuts and seeds, 27 grams of fats and oil, 250 grams of cereals, 300 millilitres of milk or curd, and 400 grams of vegetables.

While we typically refer to it as a “plate,” these quantities are meant to be consumed throughout the day, not just in one meal.

The ICMR states that following this diet will provide approximately 2000 calories and ensure a well-balanced intake of nutrients. Additionally, among the 17 guidelines provided, some key points include using oils and fats in moderation, avoiding protein supplements, limiting salt intake, and reducing sugar consumption. Adhering to the recommendation to minimize sugar intake might pose a challenge for many individuals.

The ICMR recommends consuming 20 to 25 grams of sugar per day. To put this into perspective, one teaspoon of sugar equals about 5.7 grams, while a typical can of Coca-Cola contains nearly 32 grams of sugar. Therefore, consuming just one can of this drink would exceed the daily sugar limit recommended by the ICMR.

The ICMR has addressed various cooking methods and materials in their report, resolving some longstanding debates. For instance, both microwave ovens and air fryers received an approval. Regarding cooking materials, the ICMR states that earthen vessels are the safest option, while non-stick pans are also safe, provided they are not exposed to temperatures beyond 170 degrees Celsius.

The report recommends consuming tea and coffee in moderation, with caffeine intake not exceeding 300 grams per day, roughly equivalent to about 3 cups. However, alcohol is strictly advised against, including light drinks.

What grabbed our attention is Guideline 17 by ICMR, which emphasizes, “Read information on food labels to make informed and healthy food choices.” While this seems like sound advice, recent developments suggest that the accuracy of such information might be questionable.

Indian products, particularly Indian spices, are facing scrutiny in foreign markets. Major spice producers like MDH and Everest have had some of their products banned in Hong Kong and Singapore due to excessive pesticide levels, including a carcinogenic one. Similarly, over the past five years, the EU has raised concerns about more than 400 Indian products for being highly contaminated.

It’s important to note that these flagged products had already passed Indian quality checks. Among them, 21 products contained Cadmium, which increases the risk of kidney disease. Additionally, 59 products were found to have pesticides, including carcinogenic ones. Furthermore, 100 products were contaminated with Salmonella.

While the EU flagged these products, indicating they likely didn’t enter the European market, the concern arises for consumers in India who are purchasing and consuming these contaminated items. This raises questions about the efficacy of the regulatory measures in place and what actions are being taken by the regulator to address these issues.

In India, food regulation falls under the jurisdiction of the FSSAI, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, operating under the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the responsibility ultimately rests with them. The question arises: how did these products manage to pass their quality checks conducted by the FSSAI?

One of the significant challenges lies in Funding. The regulator’s budget has been reduced over time. In 2019-20, approximately ₹360 crores were allocated for the FSSAI. However, by 2022, this allocation decreased to ₹300 crores. Insufficient funding poses obstacles in hiring additional food commissioners, conducting more checks, and maintaining heightened vigilance.

Now, ₹300 crores roughly equate to around $35 million. Comparatively, the US regulator, the FDA, responsible for overseeing food and drugs, operates with a budget of $6.7 billion. They allocate approximately $43 million solely for laboratory operations. While we’re not suggesting to replicate the entire FDA budget, it’s evident that ₹35 crores fall short, especially when the health of 1.4 billion people is at stake.

Another significant issue is Corruption within the system. This week, Indian officials arrested an FSSAI assistant director for accepting bribes from a private lab. The astonishing sum of around ₹1.8 crores was recovered from him.

These are two aspects the government could readily tackle: boosting funding and enhancing vigilance. Without addressing these fundamental issues, endeavours such as diet plans and export ambitions are rendered futile.

13-05-2024

Images from ICMR & other sources

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