In a recent investigative report, Nestle’s popular baby food, Cerelac, has come under fire for alleged discrepancies in sugar content across different global markets. The study, conducted by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organization, in collaboration with IBFAN (International Baby Food Action Network), revealed startling findings regarding Nestle’s infant cereals sold in lower-income countries compared to those in Europe and the UK.
According to the Times of India report, samples of Nestle’s baby food products from Asia, Africa, and Latin America were sent to a Belgian laboratory for testing, unveiling a significant variance in sugar content. Nestle’s response to inquiries from Public Eye and IBFAN was reportedly limited, offering only a general statement acknowledging a reduction in added sugars over the past decade without compromising quality, safety, or taste.
Nestle India’s spokesperson disclosed that over the past five years, Nestle India had reduced added sugars by up to 30% in its infant cereals portfolio. However, the report highlighted that all Cerelac baby cereals in India contained added sugar, averaging nearly 3 grams per serving.
The disparity in sugar content across different countries was graphically illustrated by the publication. For instance, a Cerelac wheat product contained 6 grams of added sugar per portion in Thailand, while the same product had zero grams of added sugar per portion in the UK, Germany, and France.
Critics, including Nigel Rollins, a scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO), raised concerns about Nestle’s double standard, emphasizing the potential health implications. Rollins pointed out that Nestle’s decision to add sugar to products in lower-resource settings while abstaining from doing so in Switzerland raised ethical and public health concerns.
WHO has previously called for a ban on added sugars and sweeteners in food products for babies, urging the industry to support public health goals by reformulating its products. The exposure to sugar early in life, according to WHO, can lead to a lifelong preference for sugary products, increasing the risk of obesity and other chronic illnesses.
