New Delhi: Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is promoting safe and healthy eating through several initiatives such as safe and nutritious food initiatives focussing on social and behavioural change around food safety and nutrition at home, school and workplace; for which it has initiated campaigns like 'Aaj Se Thoda Kam' which focus on messaging for reduced daily intake of salt sugar and fat.
In a unique outreach initiative, a pan-India cycle rally, Swasth Bharat Yatra launched on October 16, 2018, to spread the message of Eat Right, mobilized 21,000 plus volunteer cyclists, covered over 20,000 km and touched more than 2,100 locations in 100 plus days, reaching out to 2.5 crore people.
Indian Council of Medical Research has informed that they have not carried out any study on the consumption of aerated and energy drinks leading to various health ailments including cancer, diabetes and other health problems, official sources here said.
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FSSAI has nudged the industry to reformulate products to provide healthier options. It has also formulated a regulation with the provision of front-of-packing labeling of High Fat Salt and Sugar (HFSS) Foods, as a measure to create awareness among people, they said.
Excessive consumption of energy and caffeinated drinks in a short period of time or when co-ingested with other stimulants such as alcohol may lead to health risks such as arrhythmias, however, it may be relatively safe when consumed moderately and separately.
A review published in Front Public Health, 2014 stated that the health risks associated with energy drink consumption are primarily related to their caffeine content, but more research is needed that evaluates the long-term effects of consuming common energy drink ingredients, the sources informed.
Further, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has formulated standards on 'carbonated fruit beverages, fruit drinks', 'carbonated water' and 'caffeinated beverages' under sections 2.3.30, 2.10.6(1) and 2.10.6 (2) respectively of Food Safety and Standards (Food Product Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.
The implementation and enforcement of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 and Rules and Regulations framed thereunder primarily rests with the State/UT Governments. Regular surveillance, monitoring, inspection and random sampling of food products, are undertaken by the officials of Food Safety Departments of the respective States/ UTs to check that they comply with the standards laid down under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and the rules and regulations made thereunder.