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A parliamentary panel is set to investigate the high sugar content in packaged baby foods, highlighting the growing concerns about the health and safety of consumers, especially infants. This issue is part of a broader agenda of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, which is chaired by DMK leader Kanimozhi. The panel has committed to examining several critical consumer-related issues, including the regulation of sugar levels in baby products and other food items.
With rising concerns about childhood obesity and the long-term health effects of excessive sugar intake, the committee’s focus on baby foods signals a push toward stricter regulatory oversight. Packaged baby foods are often marketed as convenient and nutritious, yet studies have shown that many of these products contain alarming amounts of added sugars, which can negatively impact children’s health. The committee aims to ensure that these products meet safe nutritional standards, offering better transparency and protection for consumers.
In addition to baby food regulation, the Parliamentary Standing Committee is addressing several other significant issues affecting Indian consumers. These include safeguarding consumer rights in the banking sector, examining the role of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in upholding quality across industries, and optimizing the Public Distribution System (PDS). With food security and wastage control in mind, the committee will also review storage strategies and infrastructure in Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns, aiming to modernize foodgrain transportation, particularly through the railways.
Rising Medicine Prices and APIs in Focus
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Committee on Chemicals and Fertilisers, chaired by Trinamool Congress leader Kirti Azad, is set to tackle the issue of skyrocketing medicine prices and the availability of essential drugs. The panel will investigate India’s self-sufficiency in the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), a crucial component for pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly in light of disruptions in global supply chains.
The committee will also examine the performance of regulatory authorities in curbing the circulation of spurious and counterfeit medicines, a growing threat to public health. Strengthening regulations to ensure the authenticity and safety of medicines in the Indian market remains a key priority as the committee seeks to address the gap between demand and access to affordable medication.
Plastic Waste Management and Fertiliser PSUs Under Review
Additionally, the committee will focus on environmental sustainability by reviewing steps taken to minimize the use of plastic and the management of plastic waste. As part of its mandate, the committee will evaluate the feasibility of setting up plastic waste management centres across the country to address the burgeoning plastic pollution crisis. It will also explore the government’s disinvestment strategy concerning public sector undertakings (PSUs) in the fertiliser sector.
These discussions take place in a wider context of environmental responsibility and the need for sustainable practices across industries, aligning with global goals for reducing plastic use and promoting greener alternatives.
Ensuring Availability of Essential Commodities
A major aspect under the purview of the Consumer Affairs Committee is ensuring the availability of essential commodities, with a specific focus on petroleum and petroleum products. Amid fluctuating oil prices and the impacts on the domestic economy, this issue is expected to garner considerable attention.
Further, the committee will delve into ethanol and biofuel production from sugarcane and grains, offering a dual focus on energy security and agricultural sustainability. By examining this sector, the panel seeks to advance biofuel initiatives that could potentially reduce dependency on imported petroleum while supporting local farmers.
As the committees address these varied issues, their recommendations are expected to shape future regulatory measures aimed at protecting consumers, promoting public health, and advancing sustainable practices across sectors. The outcome of these discussions will likely have a far-reaching impact on consumer rights, food safety, medicine affordability, and environmental conservation in India.
