In a recent investigation by Public Eye, it was discovered that Nestlé's Cerelac baby cereal, labeled as "no added sugar" in Switzerland, contains significant amounts of added sugar in Senegal, South Africa, and the Philippines. This inconsistency in sugar content between regions has raised concerns about Nestlé's global marketing practices for its baby food brands.
Public Eye, along with the International Baby Food Action Network, alleges that Nestlé adds sugars and honey to its baby cereals and formula in lower-income countries while marketing products in Europe and other regions as "no added sugars." This revelation, published in the BMJ in April, has garnered attention from global health experts.
Nestlé has stated on its website that it has reduced sugar in many infant cereals and is working to further reduce it, providing more options without added sugar. However, the investigation found that 94% of 115 tested baby food products under the Cerelac and Nido brands contained added sugar, averaging almost 4 grams per serving.
Public Eye faced challenges in testing these products, as Swiss labs refused to participate due to concerns about negative impacts on their customers. Nestlé, the parent company of Cerelac and Nido, has seen significant growth in its infant nutrition products, contributing to its $11.2 billion net profits in 2023.
Experts criticize Nestlé's sugar levels, stating they contradict international nutrition guidelines for children and infants. WHO guidelines for the European Region recommend no added sugar in foods for infants under 3 years old.
Following the report, India's Food Safety and Standards Authority launched an investigation into Nestlé, while Nigeria's National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control stated that Nestlé products in the country meet their standards.
Nestlé has committed to reducing added sugars globally and offers sugar-free products in several countries. The company maintains that its products comply with all applicable regulations and scientific guidelines.
Experts warn of long-term health consequences for babies consuming too much sugar, emphasizing the importance of healthy eating habits from a young age. They also note that financial pressures can influence parents to choose sweeter products, even if they may not be the healthiest option.
Dr. Sara Siddiqui from NYU Langone Health advises parents to read ingredients carefully and model healthy eating habits for their children. She suggests that Nestlé should stop producing all infant products with added sugar worldwide, as it has done in Switzerland.