FSSAI to Review Sugar Substitutes Amid WHO's Concerns

If you’ve been relying on diet coke or zero-calorie soda to manage your weight, there is unfortunate news.

The World Health Organisation has recently released new guidelines cautioning against sweeteners such as aspartame and stevia.

Contrary to popular belief, these sweeteners do not aid in weight loss and instead pose risks to health by increasing the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

FSSAI Set to Review WHO Report on Sugar Substitutes

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is scheduling a meeting to discuss the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recently published report on artificial sweeteners.

FSSAI, the governing body entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining food safety and standards in India, will assemble its scientific panel on nutrition and fortification to comprehensively evaluate the WHO’s findings and determine their potential effects on public health within the country.

FSSAI Engages Independent Experts for In-Depth Analysis of Sugar Substitutes

In order to ensure a thorough examination, FSSAI has extended invitations to two independent specialists with expertise in the field of artificial sweeteners.

Furthermore, these experts will actively participate in the meeting, providing valuable insights and leveraging their knowledge to shed light on the potential health consequences associated with artificial sweeteners.

Lastly, FSSAI’s Meeting Seeks Stakeholder Engagement to Evaluate Implications of WHO’s Report on Artificial Sweeteners in India.

WHO Guideline on Artificial Sweeteners Raises Concerns for Popular Brands

Prominent corporations such as Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kellog, and Dabur, renowned for their offerings like Diet Coke, Special K, and Pepsi Black, enjoy widespread popularity among individuals pursuing a healthy lifestyle and aiming to reduce their sugar intake.

According to experts, the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline is expected to have an adverse effect on the sales of products that incorporate artificial sweeteners.

Nonetheless, individuals who were already aware of the negative effects of artificial sweeteners applaud the WHO’s action and emphasize the importance of raising awareness about these choices among a larger audience.

Currently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) does not impose any regulations or limitations on the usage of sweeteners in products within India.

The WHO describes the guideline as “conditional” and part of a comprehensive set of existing and upcoming guidelines on promoting healthy food choices.