The government has taken notice of allegations against Nestle, a multinational food company, for allegedly adding sugar to infant food products in India.
An investigation by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organization, has found that Nestle’s baby food product Cerelac contains an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving in India, despite WHO guidelines banning added sugars in baby food products.
According to government sources, the FSSAI is examining the report, which will be presented before the scientific panel for further evaluation.
Nestle stated, “We prioritize using high-quality ingredients in our products for early childhood nutrition. Over the past 5 years, Nestle India has reduced added sugars by up to 30% in our infant cereals portfolio, while maintaining quality, safety, and taste.”
The report highlights alleged violations by Nestle of WHO guidelines against adding honey or sugar in baby food products not only in India but also in various Asian, African, and Latin American countries.
Laboratory analyses revealed that each serving of Cerelac tested in India contained more than 2.7 gm of added sugar, which is not prominently displayed on Nestle’s labeling.
The report also notes disparities in sugar content between products sold in higher-income countries versus lower-income countries. For instance, Cerelac wheat-based cereals sold in Germany and the United Kingdom contain no added sugar, while those sold in Ethiopia and Thailand contain over 5 gm and 6 gm per serving, respectively.
With over 11% of Indians diagnosed with diabetes and 35.5% suffering from hypertension, a recent WHO study warns of the health risks associated with obesity, which is fueled by increased consumption of ultra-processed foods high in sugar.
The investigation examined 115 Nestle products across markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, revealing that 108 of them contained added sugar.
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