Do all children like sugary and fatty foods? Perhaps not, finds study

By Caroline Scott-Thomas 24-Apr-2013

Children from different cultures prefer different levels of fat and sweetness in foods and drinks, suggests new research that calls into question the idea that all children are predisposed to fatty and sugary tastes.

Preference for sweet and fatty foods 

may depend more on culture 

and age than other factors

In a study published in Food Quality and Preference, researchers examined the taste preferences of 1705 children aged 6 to 9 in survey centres in Italy, Estonia, Cyprus, Belgium, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, and Spain. Using paired comparison tests, the children rated their preference for varying levels of sugar in apple juice, and fat, salt and monosodium glutamate content in crackers.

They found that differences in culture and age were most strongly correlated with children’s preferences for different levels of fat and sugar.

"The results were surprising,” said study co-author Silvia Bel-Serrat, of the University of Zaragoza. "Although we often tend to think that children share a common predisposition towards fats and sugar, we observed that the preferences of children from different countries were not at all similar." 

The researchers said that the results could be important for EU-wide dietary policy-setting.

Lead author Anne Lanfer of the Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology in Bremen, Germany said: “There is a tendency to undertake uniform dietary prevention programmes across European countries. However, flavour preferences vary from one country to another and the same programme will not be equally effective in all countries.”

The researchers examined a number of factors as potentially influential for flavour preference, including age, sex, parental education, early feeding practices, TV viewing, use of food as a reward, and taste threshold sensitivity – that is, the concentration at which the children could taste bitter, sour, sweet, salty, and umami flavours.

They found that the older children tended to prefer sugary and salty flavours, with a 34% increase in the odds for sweet preference and a 29% increase in the odds for salt preference for each additional year of age. Factors other than age and culture were not found significantly to influence children’s preferences.

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As sweetener, stevia could be ideal for India’s agro-economy: NMPB CEO

Monday, April 22, 2013 08:00 IST 
Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi

Stevia, which has earned the in-principle nod of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) – the country’s apex food regulator – could be the best bet for the nation’s agro-economy in future, owing to its medicinal and sweetening properties, according to Bala Prassad, chief executive officer, National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB), and joint secretary, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Deliberating on the sweetener at the Fourth Stevia Global Summit India, which took place at New Delhi’s PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Sunday, Prassad said NMPB has decided to boost stevia cultivation in India. He added, “Under the current provisions, 20 per cent of the cost of production, which is set at Rs 3,12,500 per hectare, is subsidised by the board. But the minimum requirement would be five farmers and two hectare of land.”

But there continued to be questions about the species of stevia that must be incorporated, because the plant has approximately 400 varieties. Dr Silvamurthy, former food scientist, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said, “Stevia has several medicinal properties, which could be helpful in preventing several lifestyle diseases like obesity. Moreover, farmers could avail carbon credits by growing stevia.”

FSSAI’s P Chakravarthy informed that the Indian regulator took the decision to approve stevia as an artificial sweetening additive followed approvals by the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and the European Union (EU). He added, “FSSAI’s scientific panel has already approved it, and a gazette notification has been issued in this regard after a detailed study.”

He said, “However, stevia (currently usable as steviol glycoside) can only be used in the form of tablets with a prescribed formulation,” adding that discussions are currently underway to get it approved for all forms of oral use, including liquid dosages and powder. Separate nods are needed to be able to use the product as a food ingredient and as medicine.     

Sourabh Agrawal, chief executive officer, India Stevia Association, New Delhi, and chairman and managing director, Stevia Biotech; S S Aggarwal, director general, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, Amity University, Noida; Amarender Singh Bawa, former director, DRDO food laboratory, Mysore, and Ashok Chauhan, founder president, Amity Group of Institutions, were also present at the summit.

Facts & figures

Currently, the global sugar industry is estimated to be worth approximately $50 billion, and the global sugar consumption is estimated to be about 160 million tonne. The share of stevia – which is 300 times more concentrated that sugar but is a zero-calorie alternative to the latter – is about $10 billion. Every sixty days, a superior breed of stevia is being developed.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that stevia would replace about twenty per cent of the sugar market. Experts attribute this to the fact that it is rich in antioxidants and a number of vitamins, including Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C and Vitamin A. Reports, however, suggest that there is no change in the taste of stevia, which does not disintegrate unless the temperature touches the 240-degree Celsius mark.

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Centre to ban sale of junk food and fizzy drinks near schools after summer vacation

New Delhi, April 18, 2013

The junk is being taken out of school education across the country. After summer vacations are over this year, children will begin their new academic session in schools that do not have junk food outlets within 500 yards in any direction. 

This revolution in the making was revealed in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday when the Centre said that draft guidelines on regulating sale of junk food and aerated drinks in and around school premises would be ready by July.

Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra, representing the Centre, told the court that private firm AC Nielsen ORGMARG Pvt Ltd is in the process of framing norms to regulate availability of junk food and carbonated drinks within 500 yards of schools. The senior law officer assured the court that the draft guidelines on making quality and safe food available in school canteens would be in place by July 21. These guidelines will be crucial because there is no official definition of junk food now.

This has created much ambiguity among schools over what food products it should make available to children within its premises. The guidelines will thus clear the confusion and define what food is healthy and what is not healthy.

"We would seek the opinion of food processing companies after making the draft guidelines and prepare the final guidelines soon,"Mehra said.

Most, if not all, schools are kindly disposed to the proposed move. Principal of Laxman Public School Usha Ram said, "We are all up for banning junk food in school premises. We don't sell junk food in our school. In fact, we were the first one to introduce a Mother Dairy stall in our campus which offers health milk products. "Principal of Apeejay School, Pitampura, D. K. Bedi echoed this view, saying: "It will be excellent if junk food is totally banned in schools. Schools should only offer healthy food like juices and milk products to children. "After recording submissions of the Centre's counsel, a bench comprising Chief Justice D. Murugesan and Justice Jayant Nath posted the next hearing in the matter for July 22. The Delhi government also displayed urgency in taking 'unhealthy food' off the shelves of city schools. The counsel representing the Delhi government, Anjum Javed, said that the Lieutenant Governor has the power to issue directions to city schools but that can be done only after the Centre frames guidelines on the issue.

Status report Meanwhile, the Centre also filed a status report in court, explaining why it has taken so long to complete the study in the matter. It told the court, however, that all the research has been completed now.

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Food only cooked, not manufactured in restaurants, says AHAR; moves HC

Wednesday, April 17, 2013 08:00 IST 
Akshay Kalbag, Mumbai

Hoteliers and restaurateurs in Mumbai, perturbed at being incorrectly referred to as food manufacturing units by the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA), 2006, and Regulations (FSSR), 2011, moved the Bombay High Court recently, stating that they merely run establishments where food was cooked and provided to the patrons as per their orders, and were not factories where food and beverages were manufactured in bulk, packaged and sold.

Pointing out that the Act stated that no food business operator was permitted to sell any item that was not clearly described in his license, a representative of the restaurateurs, said, “We are supposed to submit our menu with our application forms for licensing. By and large we adhere to the menu, but there are occasions when we make a dish according to the diner's choice. After all, we run a business where we offer tailor-made dishes.”

“There are a few references to hotels in passing at the end of the Act,” Shashikant Shetty, secretary, the Association of Hotels and Restaurants (AHAR), a Mumbai-based body, informed FnB News via telephone. He added that the petition they filed stated that norms laid down by the Central government were for the food and beverage industries and not for hotels and restaurants.

“The penalties imposed upon the owners of small- and medium-sized hotels and restaurants cost them a sizeable chunk of the turnover of these establishments. They are charged anything ranging between, say Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh, under any pretext. The fines levied for violations of these norms by the hospitality industry are the same as those imposed on manufacturing units,” Shetty added.

“Regular food audits have also been made mandatory by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country's apex food regulator,” Shetty said, adding that minor amendments had been made to the Act to make it 'applicable' to the hospitality industry and some terms had been used rather loosely. Restaurateurs stated, according to the Act, labelled packaging food with its nutritional value is mandatory.

They added, “However, it is impossible for us to label each container that is home-delivered as it is made as per the choice of our guests,” adding, “Similarly, we cannot be asked to test the water that we use for cooking, because we get our water supply from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), but we can be held responsible for hygiene and sanitation. In fact, we are willing to comply with those norms.”

The association had earlier written to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Maharashtra – the state food regulator – seeking clarifications because there was no mention of the term cooking in the Act, but the officials refused to help them saying it was merely an implementing body. The lawyer representing AHAR stated that they have been awaiting the date of the first hearing of the case. Incidentally, about 600 of the 1,060 inspected eateries in the city fell foul of the Act.

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Indian beverage industry's double-digit growth will continue, says IBA

Saturday, April 13, 2013 08:00 IST 
Harcha Bhaskar, Mumbai

The Indian Beverage Association (IBA) expects the country's beverage industry to continue to grow in double digits in 2013, despite the recessionary trends being shown by most economies the world over, including the Indian economy. 

Speaking at an IBA-organised seminar titled 'Agenda for Growth: Indian Beverage Industry – Leveraging International Practices' in Delhi, experts from the beverage industry stated that it could witness a revolution, fueled by changing lifestyles, a growing middle-class, rapid urbanization and increased disposable incomes.

Participants in the seminar included Rakesh Kacker, secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Government of India; K Chandramouli, chairman, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI); Geoff Parker, president, International Council of Beverages Associations, and Patricia Vaughan, senior vice-president, American Beverage Association.

The non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage segment has been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13 per cent since 2009, and is one of the segments that have defied the slowing economic growth.

Arvind Varma, secretary general, IBA, said, "The non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage industry is one of the largest investors in the country and has contributed significantly to the growth of allied industries. This industry is witnessing robust growth, driven by a combination of factors such as increased investments and innovations.” 

“However, the government needs to take a long-term view on the industry while formulating policies or else there is a chance this industry’s growth may get derailed,” he stated. 

“IBA aims to act as a catalyst to enable the non-alcoholic beverage industry to play an increasingly significant role in the growth of the economy, by providing employment opportunities and driving income growth and therefore has raised its expectations with the government authorities,” Varma added.

IBA's suggestions 

At the deliberations in the seminar, speakers observed that the macro-indicators and the demographic dividends favour robust growth for the beverage industry in India. 

“With an enabling policy regime, which includes a more rational tax structure, frequent consultations with the industry on food regulations, giving the industry its due recognition as manufacturers of high quality, healthy and nutritious products as well as life-critical products like water, will further help the industry realise its potential,” IBA stated. 

As an industry that has strong backward linkages with agriculture, its growth will also benefit millions of farmers across the country.

GST

One of the key areas where the beverage industry expects Central and state government intervention is goods and service tax (GST) and direct tax code (DTC).

The beverage industry has learnt that a single rate for both Central GST and state GST, which was proposed earlier, is reportedly being talked about as three different rates. This defies economic logic and is indicative of difficulty in moving forward the proposal of a Constitutional amendment in Parliament.

IBA also suggested that the beverage industry be made a key stakeholder in the introduction of GST, and should be a natural partner in the process of consultation while formulating the plan and roll-out of GST. The extent of involvement of industry currently in the consultation process needs to be scaled up and made more intense and frequent.

VAT

The value-added tax (VAT) rate of six per cent is applicable to fruit juice and fruit juice-based drinks. Despite the states coming to an understanding that VAT would be charged at the rate of six per cent on fruit juice and fruit juice-based drinks, some states have increased the VAT substantially. The move to increase VAT on fruit juice and fruit juice-based drinks will subvert the growth of the juice industry as also the development of the fruit and vegetable processing industry.

The soft drink industry is already reeling under margin pressure due to the high rate of taxes it is paying to the Central and state governments, but some states have also increased the VAT on carbonated soft drinks.

This increase in taxes will, therefore, have to be passed on to the consumer leading to an increase in the price of the soft drinks, which will restrict purchase of soft drinks by the general mass. 

This, in turn, will have an adverse effect on the beverage industry and industries that depend on the beverage industry. An increase in price also favours spurious manufacturers to sell their products on the basis of cost arbitrage.

R&D

Industry players also felt that their prowess in research and development would help them move beyond global brands and develop local, indigenous products to suit regional palates, thereby driving further growth in the market. These innovations are meant to address the low per-capita consumption of packaged beverages and will create both a direct and an indirect impact. 

Regulatory aspect 

The industry also expects that the food safety authorities remove roadblocks and provide much faster clearances and approvals on ingredients and new products, without compromising the safety and quality of new products. 

This is most relevant in case of proprietary foods, where inordinate delays result in food and beverage companies having to wait for many months before launching new products. 

IBA also suggested that CODEX should be made a reference point for national food control agencies. The international food standards, guidelines and codes of practice laid down by CODEX contribute to the safety, quality and fairness of international food trade. 

Referring to CODEX will help the Indian beverage industry contribute a higher share to the global food and beverage trade, which is estimated at $200 billion dollars.

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Rasna's desi range, comprising Nagpur Orange & Alphonso Mango, at Re 1

Saturday, April 13, 2013 08:00 IST 
Our Bureau, Mumbai

With the onset of summers, Rasna will launch four origin-driven variants of Rasna Fruit Fun, the starting price point of which is Re 1 for two glasses.

The flavours are Nagpur Orange, Alphonso Mango, Shikanji Nimbupani and Chowpatty Kalakhatta.

The launch is the result of extensive research undertaken by the Ahmedabad-based soft drink concentrate maker to identify flavours that consumers can easily relate to and connect with. Rasna has not changed its basic price points (Re 1, Rs 2 and Rs 10) in over ten years.

Sticking to the palate Indian consumers are familiar with, with flavours like Kesar Elaichi and Shahi Gulab Rose, only makes sense, given that consumers identify certain ingredients with a specific region more strongly than others.

Piruz Khambatta, chairman and managing director, Rasna, said, “Rasna believes in offering the best products to its customers; products that are enriched with natural taste, more nutritional value and a variety of flavours albeit at very competitive prices.”

“Rasna has always maintained constancy in its pricing strategy. This summer Rasna introduces the new range of flavours at an economical price,” he said.

Khambatta added, “We intend to offer convenience and a hassle-free experience to our consumer base, which is reflected in the various stick-keeing units (SKUs) that we have been offering.”

“For instance, children and adults can carry the easy-to-use sachets to their schools, playgrounds and workplaces and enjoy the drink, whereas the big pack can be enjoyed at home,” he said.

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Infant sugar consumption at levels that could harm oral health, says dental charity

 By Caroline Scott-Thomas,12-Apr-2013

Over-consumption of juice and

 soft drinks at a young age could be 

putting kids' dental health at risk

New data on infants’ consumption of sugar suggests that more than a quarter of young children are at risk of poor oral health, according to the UK’s Dental Hygiene Foundation.

More than a quarter of children aged 12 to 18 months (26%) regularly consume fruit juices and soft drinks, according to a new report from the UK’s Department of Health (DoH), which includes survey data on the diets of children aged 4 to 18 months.

Fruit juice was consumed by 8% of children aged 4 to 6 months rising to 26% for those aged 12 to 18 months, the report found. Average daily intakes were 11g of juice for those aged 4 to 6 months, and 50g for those aged 12 to 18 months.

It also found that the proportions of children consuming full sugar soft drinks was very similar to those consuming juice, ranging from 6% to 26% across the age groups. However, soft drinks were consumed in larger amounts, with average daily intake of 43g for those aged 4 to 6 months and 158g for those aged 12 to 18 months.

Responding to the report, chief executive of the British Dental Health Foundation Dr Nigel Carter said: "The most important message to remember is it is not the amount of sugar children eat or drink, but the frequency of sugary foods and drinks in their diets.”

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WHO outlines variety of salt reduction strategies across Europe

By Caroline Scott-Thomas,12-Apr-2013

Lower salt consumption would 

improve heart health on a 

population level, WHO says

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has released a new report outlining European salt reduction strategies – and while most countries are following EU guidelines, there are still big differences between policies.

Most countries in the European region that have salt reduction strategies operate them with government oversight, although the WHO acknowledges that non-governmental organisations and advocacy groups have also played a vital role. WASH (World Action on Salt and Health) has been particularly active and has “at least put salt on the radar” in countries without any salt reduction strategy.

Industry participation has remained voluntary in most countries, with the exception of labelling initiatives, and 33 out of the 53 countries in the WHO European region have implemented some sort of consumer awareness programme. Thirty-one countries have carried out a baseline assessment, either through urine analysis, intake surveys, or analysis of salt levels in food categories.

"Member States are taking seriously the negative impacts of unhealthy diets on well-being, development and growth,” said WHO regional director for Europe Zsuzsanna Jakab.

“Action on salt reduction by activating the engagement of stakeholders, reformulation of food, provision of proper and meaningful information to consumers and an adequate monitoring system of dietary salt intake and its major sources in the diet is, therefore, possible. Furthermore, such action saves lives and reduces disability."

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Own-label food and drink brands mislead consumers: Which?

By Mike Stones,12-Apr-2013

Which? claimed Lurpak seemed 

to have a recognisable 

own-label imitator in most 

major supermarkets

Nearly a third of consumers feel misled by own-label brands – including food and drink products – which ape the packaging of leading brands, warns a survey by consumer watchdog Which?

The consumer survey – which covered more than 150 own-brand products – revealed that a fifth of Which? members had accidentally bought a supermarket version of a product thinking it was a well-known brand. Of those shoppers who bought an own-label product by mistake, 38% said they were annoyed by this and 30% felt misled.

‘Feeling that they have been misled’

A Which? spokesperson said: “Own-brand products can provide good value and several have topped our tests to become Best Buys. Retailers should make sure that people are under no illusions about what they are buying and not leave so many consumers feeling they have been misled.”

An article in the latest Which? magazine stated: “We uncovered products in Aldi, Asda, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury and Tesco that appear to borrow from leading brands. Typically these were in categories where there are well-established and distinctive brands.”

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With TN, Karnataka & WB planning ban, India set to be gutkha-free soon

Friday, April 05, 2013 08:00 IST 
Abhitash Singh, Mumbai

India is all set to become gutkha-free with governments of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal deciding to extend the ban in their respective states in about a month.

The three states would impose the ban under the Regulation 2.3.4 of the Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restrictions on Sales) Regulations, 2011, just like their counterparts - 23 states and five union territories - Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi, Goa, Mizoram, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Assam, Nagaland, Tripura, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Pondicherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Daman and Diu.

Informing this to FnB News, Yash Gupta, owner, M R Group (Delhi), said, “Gutkha has been banned in 23 states and five union territories and in coming month it will be banned in the three states, which have not banned it yet.”

Reacting to news regarding the Supreme Court order seeking compliance reports from all state governments that have banned the sale and manufacture of gutkha and pan masala containing tobacco, he said, “Governments have taken a very good step by keeping in mind the health of crores of people of the country who consume gutkha. We appreciate the move and will not move any court.” The apex court gave the order on a petition filed by Ankur Gutkha with Indian Asthma Care Society as the respondent.

The bench comprising Justice G S Singhvi and Justice Kurian Joseph issued notices to the health secretaries of all the 23 states and five union territories to file the compliance reports on the implementation of the ban. The court also asked why the products have not been banned in others states and why regulation 2.3.4 of FSSA has not yet been implemented, according to Seema Gupta, regional director, Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI).

“Additional solicitor-general Indira Jaisingh who was representing the Central government of India informed that gutkha was being manufactured and sold in states like Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh just violating the law. She also claimed that the rules are not implemented properly in many states,” informed Gupta.

Speaking to FnB News, Prashant Bhushan, advocate appearing for Health for the Million Trust and VHAI, said, “Gutkha in any form has been banned in 23 states and five union territories. But still the ban is not being properly enforced as there is no control over manufacturing units. The banned products are also easily available from the states where gutkha is not banned.”

The next hearing of the case will be on May 3, 2013.

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FDI can help globalise Indian economy, and we must welcome it, says PM

Thursday, April 04, 2013 08:00 IST 
Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi

The government is reviewing the India's foreign direct investment (FDI) policy comprehensively to see what more can be done. In his address at the Confederation of Indian Industries' (CII) annual general meeting (AGM), prime minister Manmohan Singh urged India to welcome foreign investors.

“The liberalisation of FDI in multi-brand retail and other areas are important. We have given clear signals that we welcome foreign investment, which has a critical role in bringing in modern technology and globalising our economy,” he said.

Laying emphasis on increasing the investment climate in the country, Singh said setting up the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI) would give investment in various sectors the much-needed fillip, and assured that the CCI would take speedy decisions.

"CCI was designed to fast-track regulatory clearances for industry and infrastructure and to resolve ministerial differences. In the last three months the progress was encouraging,” the prime minister said.

Singh said other reform measures are also being contemplated. The financial sector legislative reforms committee has made a number of recommendations which would be carefully considered. The Cabinet has cleared the Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill, which will soon go to Parliament.

He observed that the prime mover of the Indian economy was the private sector, accounting for 75 per cent of the investment. He said, “The private sector needs an environment in which enterprises can flourish and create both jobs and growth,” and added,“The environment today is not what it should be, and that is what the government should correct.”

Conceding that part of the problem is due to the global slowdown, the prime minister asserted that India’s growth figures are impressive than countries like Brazil, Russia, Japan and South Africa.

Singh highlighted the steps taken by the government for the restoration of macro-economic balance as a step towards higher growth. Applying a tight leash on fiscal deficit, rationalising fuel subsidies, containing the current account deficit, moderating inflation, etc. are some steps that are being contemplated by the government.

“We have financed a current account deficit of over $90 billion in 2012-13 without loss in reserves. We will take all steps to ensure that inflows remain strong for the next two years. I believe a well-managed Indian economy seen to be back on a high growth path can attract continuing capital flows of this order,” he added.

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Govt committed to pass Food Bill in this session of Parliament: Thomas

Thursday, April 04, 2013 08:00 IST 
Ashwani Maindola, New Delhi

Union minister of state for food and civil supplies K V Thomas has said that the Union government is committed to pass the National Food Security Bill in this session of Parliament. The session is to reconvene on April 22.

“Food security remains the greatest challenge for modern India, where the population is expected to touch the 1.3 billion mark by 2020. The Bill is to be tabled in Parliament and is intended to give legal entitlement to around 82 crore population of the country,” he said, while addressing a session on India’s Food Security and Second Green Revolution at CII’s Annual General Meeting here on Wednesday.

He stated that 6.53 crore BPL families and 18 crore APL families would get benefit by means of TPDS or Targeted Public Distribution System through five lakh fair price shops.

And to check the system works properly, appropriate grievance redressal mechanism was being developed wherein improvement like Aadhar or biometric- based identification system was started in certain parts of the country.

He added that the procurement was expected to go up this year with wheat increasing by 6-8 million tonne than previous year’s 38 million tonne. Around 150 million tonne of modern storage facilities are planned to accommodate the procurement.

He, however, appear distressed from the fact that currently 1 lakh crore subsidy was given on public distribution system, which was likely to go up by 1.33 lakh crore after the passing of the Food Security Bill.

Earlier, Anand Sharma, minister for commerce and trade, while speaking on Future of India’s Industrialisation informed that sufficient progress has been made with respect to GST.

“It will soon become a reality,” he said, while adding that this move would add 2 per cent growth to the GDP besides reducing several hurdles in business functions.

It is pertinent to mention that the industry was expecting GST implementation for some time particularly in this year’s Union Budget, which would streamline the various tax regimes in the country.

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