Nithin Kamath, the founder and CEO of Zerodha, has sparked a vital conversation about the quality and safety of the food we consume. Kamath’s tweet highlights a growing concern over the rampant adulteration and excessive sugar content in Indian diets, calling for greater scrutiny and awareness among consumers.
Kamath, in a tweet, sharing a news article on sugar consumption, wrote: “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.”
The entrepreneur’s critique extends beyond just sugar. He points out the widespread adulteration in essential food items such as masalas (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.
Kamath’s message is clear: the onus is on consumers to demand higher standards and transparency in food production. His call to action is a reminder of the power that informed consumers wield. By questioning the ingredients and practices behind the foods we eat, we can push for safer, healthier options.
“This applies to both packaged foods and food from many restaurants,” the billionaire emphasises, indicating that the problem is pervasive and not limited to a single source.
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/rJet0s14PGRelated stories
— Nithin Kamath (@Nithin0dha) May 28, 2024
For the first time, thresholds for sugar content in packaged foods and beverages have been recommended. This initiative, backed by the health ministry, marks a shift from the previous focus on calorie thresholds.
The new guidelines could have substantial impacts on a wide range of products, from soft drinks and juices to cookies, ice-creams, and cereals. Industry executives have raised concerns about the practicality of these guidelines, suggesting that if implemented, many brands would need to alter their product formulations.
This move comes in response to rising obesity and diabetes rates and heightened scrutiny over the sugar content in popular items like malted drinks and baby foods.
According to the new guidelines, for solid foods, the threshold for added sugar should not exceed 5% of the 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 naturally occurring sugars in fruit juices and milk.
Kamath, a fitness enthusiast who is an avid runner, suffered a mild stroke in February and was briefly hospitalised.
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