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India needs science-based standards in nutrition
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Thursday, 13 August, 2026, 12 : 00 PM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Bengaluru
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India needs to recognize the importance of adopting science-based nutrition standards to address its complex and evolving public health challenges. Evidence-based standards can help ensure that dietary guidelines, food policies, product formulations, and nutrition programmes are grounded in credible scientific research rather than marketing claims or outdated assumptions, said Dr K. Madhavan Nair, Former Assistant Director, National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).
Such standards should consider India’s diverse dietary patterns, regional foods, socioeconomic conditions, and the coexistence of undernutrition and lifestyle-related diseases. By establishing transparent, regularly updated, and scientifically validated nutrition benchmarks, India can better protect consumers, improve public health outcomes, and promote healthier food choices across the population, he added
Dr Nair was speaking at the 4th Edition of India Food Safety Conclave 2026 organised by the Innovative Food Foundation with Food Safety Works and Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC). He delivered a thematic presentation titled ‘Responsible Nutrition – Trends and Opportunities in Health and Wellness.’
Delving on the current global and national landscape of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the growing challenge of the Double Burden of Malnutrition (DBM), Dr Nair emphasized the urgent need for evidence-based, sustainable nutrition strategies to improve population health.
Explaining why responsible nutrition matters, Dr Nair discussed the importance of adopting science-based nutrition standards. He highlighted the nutrient standards and their adoption by FSSAI as a significant step towards strengthening India's nutrition regulatory framework.
A major focus of the presentation was on interventions that can simultaneously address both undernutrition and over-nutrition. He proposed the informed use of nutrition metrics and nutrition labelling on pre-packaged foods to empower consumers to make healthier food choices. He emphasized that Front-of-Pack Nutrition Labelling (FOPNL) should serve as an additional source of information, enabling consumers to compare products and make informed purchasing decisions rather than replacing comprehensive nutrition information.
The former NIN director also underscored the importance of creating a food environment that supports healthy dietary practices, including the adoption of the ‘My Plate for the Day’ concept.
The role of food synergy in enhancing the bioavailability of essential micronutrients, particularly iron, was highlighted as an effective dietary approach among preschool children. In addition, he discussed the policy paper on recommendations for India specific multiple micronutrient supplementation through expert consultation as an important strategy for improving maternal outcomes.
On a concluding note, Dr Nair highlighted emerging opportunities for research and development aimed at generating contextual, evidence-based strategies to combat the Double Burden of Malnutrition. He stressed the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, policymakers, regulators, academia, and industry to develop sustainable nutrition solutions tailored to India's diverse population while contributing to global health and wellness goals.
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