Latest news with #Nishan
Mint
4 days ago
- Health
- Mint
Baby food: Regulator plans to cut sugar levels further in bid to curb obesity, diabetes rates in India
New Delhi: Babies aren't going to like this even one bit, but India's top food safety regulator is looking to tighten limits on the sugar content in their food. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is considering new rules to reduce the amount of sugar added to foods for toddlers and babies aged 6 to 24 months. The move, which could affect popular products such as infant cereals and milk formulae, is part of an effort to fight the country's rising rates of obesity and diabetes. Currently, these products contain sugar within legally permitted limits, but the food regulator says it's time for even more drastic steps. As per the National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21), the percentage of children under 5 years who are overweight (weight-for-height) increased to 3.4 percent from 2.1 percent in NFHS-4 (2015-16). The survey showed 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese. The proposal would build on current norms that ban added sugar in food for the youngest babies – from birth to 6 months. If approved, the new rules would mark a significant step toward ensuring healthier food options for the country's youngest children. 'The matter of reducing sugar in baby food for those 6 to 24 months of age was discussed at a meeting last week with experts from FSSAI, the health ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research. Even ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition dietary guidelines do not recommend sugar for children up to 2 years. The matter has been kept for wider consideration and will be taken up in the next meeting," an official familiar with the matter said. The baby food market in India, valued at $1.16 billion in 2024, is projected to grow to $1.98 billion by 2030, according to MarkNtel Advisors, driven by growing urbanization, more working mothers and increased parental awareness of nutrition. Push for healthier habits FSSAI's 2020 regulations for infant nutrition mandate that lactose and glucose polymers as the primary carbohydrates in baby food. Sucrose and fructose are strongly discouraged and cannot exceed 20% of the total carbohydrates, a rule aimed at limiting added sugars. The regulator's initiative to reduce sugar in baby food is part of a larger public health campaign. A recent study in The Lancet projected that India could have the world's second-highest obesity burden by 2035, with 449 million overweight and obese people. The FSSAI also considered a report from a Swiss non-profit that found added sugar in a popular baby product, highlighting the need for stricter regulations. 'The regulator is taking its role seriously by examining the ingredients in baby foods and pushing for even better standards. A decision on the new rules is expected soon," said a second person aware of the matter. The FSSAI regularly tests and samples infant food products. During an enforcement drive in 2024, it found that five of 99 samples tested were deemed unsafe. Doctors weigh in Medical experts support the proposal. Dr. Nishant Wadhwa, a senior pediatrician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, explained that babies and toddlers are not equipped to handle large amounts of sugar. 'The body is not naturally inclined or trained to handle sugar surge even for adults," he said. 'When babies consume too much sugar, their bodies can't process it and the excess is stored as fat. This can lead to serious health issues such as early-onset fatty liver disease." Dr. Wadhwa emphasized that babies don't need any extra sugar. "The sugar which the baby is actually taking in mother's milk is lactose," he explained, adding that added sugars like sucrose and fructose should be totally avoidable. He advised parents to provide home-cooked food rather than packaged cereal-based pre-mixed products. Industry and expert support The International Pediatric Association (IPA) viewed the FSSAI's initiative as a positive step. Dr. Naveen Thacker, the IPA's executive director, said, 'It is a welcome move by FSSAI to reduce the sugar limit in food for babies aged 6 to 24 months." He encouraged breastfeeding for babies and toddlers up to two years old and stressed that the IPA does not promote formula milk or packaged cereal-based food or pre-mixes unless absolutely necessary. ICMR experts emphasized that reducing sugar in baby food is crucial as babies and toddlers don't need sugar. 'The focus is on limiting extra sweetness, not natural sugars like lactose. A taste for sugar is learned early in life. If children get used to very sweet foods, they are more likely to crave sugar as they get older, which can lead to health problems. The ICMR's dietary guidelines recommend that children under 2 don't need any added sugar at all. These guidelines also recommend that adults limit sugar intake to no more than 25 grams per day, or about 5% of a 2,000-calorie diet," said an ICMR scientist. Last year, reports claimed Nestle's products in South Asia (including India), Africa and Latin America contained significantly higher sugar levels than those in Europe. "We adhere to all existing regulations, ensuring that none of our infant formula and milk products for infants and young children contain added refined sugar. We reduced added sugar in Cerelac by up to 30% in the last five years and recently introduced a new Cerelac range with 'no refined sugar' option," a Nestle India spokesperson said. Queries by the union health ministry spokesperson, FSSAI and popular baby food brands like Slurrp Farm, Amul on and Abbott remained unanswered till press time.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Actor Nazima, sister and friend of Hindi cinema's golden era, passes away at 77
Mumbai: Actor Nazima, who played the quintessential sister and best friend to several heroes and heroines in the 1960s and '70s, passed away at age 77 Monday. She lived in Dadar with her two sons. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Born Mehrunnisa in Nashik on March 25, 1948, Nazima hailed from a family of female actors including aunt Husn Bano who was married to filmmaker Aspi Irani. Her cousin Zarreen Babu confirmed her on social media Monday. She started her career as child actor Baby Chand with Do Bigha Zamin as the elder of two sisters who were ferried to school by Balraj Sahni, the rickshawallah. She appeared to be a Bimal Roy discovery, having featured in Devdas as the classmate of little Paro, followed by Biraj Bahu as the sister of Abhi Bhattacharya. Nazima was also noticed in the children's caper Ab Dilli Door Nahin produced by Raj Kapoor. She later went on to star opposite Sanjeev Kumar in Nishan (Hai tabassum tera) and Raja Aur Runk (O firki walli and Sang basanti). She acted with Rajesh Khanna in Aurat and Doli. Her mainstream movies include Abhinetri, Manchali, Prem Nagar, Anurag, Beimaan, Doli—and Arzoo where her long, bloodcurdling scream at discovering that her brother Rajendra Kumar has lost a leg, is well remembered. The actor played Asha Parekh's sister in Aaye Din Bahaar Ke (Ai Kaash kisi deewane ko), where she deliberately fell off a staircase two times as she tried to gain Dharmendra's attention in vain. Her other best friend roles include Hema Malini's impish friend in Abhinetri and Leena Chandavarkar's companion in Manchali.
Mint
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
THIS Bollywood outsider rose to fame, clashed with Rajesh Khanna, couldn't be with Shabana Azmi, later died alone
Bollywood has seen many actors; Among them, one has carved a niche for himself in Bollywood as a true outsider, defying the odds. Renowned for picking intense, offbeat roles over typical hero parts, this actor became one of the industry's most respected performers. But while his professional life soared, his personal journey was filled with heartbreak. Even his contemporaries, such as superstar Rajesh Khanna, didn't like him once. He once shared a deep bond with Shabana Azmi, but their relationship couldn't take things further. It is none other than actor Sanjeev Kumar. Born as Harihar Jethalal Jariwala, Sanjeev Kumar hailed from Surat. He bagged his first Bollywood film after a stint in a film school. Sanjeev Kumar started his career as a stage actor and later made his film debut with Hum Hindustani (1960), but it was Nishan (1965) that marked his true first lead role. He went on to deliver iconic performances in classics like Koshish, Aandhi, Sholay, Angoor, and Trishul, cementing his place in the industry. With success comes rivalry. Sanjeev clashed with Rajesh Khanna on several occasions. Their most infamous one is from the time when Rajesh slapped Sanjeev. It happened after dating rumours between Sanjeev Kumar and Rajesh Khanna's ex-girlfriend Anju Manhendru began doing the rounds in the industry. Anju had told Filmfare, "I never fell in love with Sanjeev Kumar. For me, he was just my mother's brother. There was an actress who had spread the rumour that I was dating Sanjeev Kumar. Even my ex-boyfriend (Rajesh Khanna) started believing the same." Years later, Rajesh and Sanjeev worked together in a film where the former had to slap the latter for a scene. It is believed that Rajesh did not hold it back while slapping him for real. Anju Mahendru reported that the infamous slap was out of sheer jealousy. Besides Anju, Sanjeev was also rumoured to be dating other actresses. Many remember Sanjeev Kumar as the actor who almost married Hema Malini. The two met on the sets of Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), and the actor fell in love with her. However, he had a condition-- that Hema would stop working after marriage. As a result, the two parted their ways. While many might remember their break-up, not many know that Sanjeev also shared a soft corner for actor Shabana Azmi. Turns out, Shabana, who liked him back, if reports are true. However, their relationship never moved forward, reportedly because of religious differences; his mother had an objection to having a Muslim daughter-in-law. In an interview, published in the December 1979 issue of Star & Style, Sanjeev Kumar revealed, 'I knew Shabana for a longer period than I had known any other girl in films. What she felt for me that time must've been mere puppy love, but it could have culminated in an alliance with me if my mother had not put her foot firmly down. My mother, tolerant in other respects, was adamant about her refusal to accept a Muslim bahu.' The actor suffered in his personal life. It is said that after a time, Sanjeev Kumar stopped trusting women, believing that they were only after his wealth. Sanjeev's makeup artiste, Sarosh Mody, revealed about his love life in an interaction in 1982, 'Every woman whom Sanjeev loved and yearned for, ditched him, leaving him high and dry. His ego is terribly hurt. Sanjeev is suffering from some kind of a complex. Luck has never been in his favour.' Turns out, in the end, the actor never had two things in life despite money: a home and a wife. Sanjeev drowned himself in alcohol until he suffered his first heart attack. Anju Mahendroo was quoted as saying in an interview, as reported by Indian Express, "He was charming, he had a wonderful smile. They tried wooing him by sending him dabbas. Some women were genuinely in love with him. But he believed they were after his wealth, which was so sad because at the end of the day he had neither a home nor a wife.' 'He had stopped going out to prevent himself from eating and drinking. He was aware that premature death ran in his family, what with an inherited congenital heart condition. He'd keep saying that in his family, the men didn't live beyond 50," she added. Tragically, Sanjeev passed at 47 in 1985, alone, due to another heart attack. Although he came close to buying a house, reports suggest he was never able to take ownership due to legal disputes with the seller's family.
