Is Nestle Putting Children’s Health at Risk? Report Says It Adds 3 Gm Sugar In Every Serving Of Baby Food Sold In India

The study found that all 15 Cerelac baby products in India contain an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving, while the same products are marketed as sugar-free in Germany and the UK.

Nestle, the world’s largest consumer goods company, is facing backlash after a recent study revealed the inclusion of sugar and honey in its infant milk and cereal products in several countries, including India. This revelation comes in the wake of the Indian government’s crackdown on the popular supplement ‘Bournvita’. The study highlights a direct violation of international guidelines aimed at curbing obesity and chronic diseases. The investigation by Public Eye specifically points out that Nestle’s baby food products in Asian, African, and Latin American countries contain high levels of added sugar, contrary to the sugar-free versions available in developed nations like the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland. For instance, the study found that all 15 Cerelac baby products in India contain an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving, while the same products are marketed as sugar-free in Germany and the UK.

Lack of transparency

One of the major concerns raised by the study is the lack of transparency regarding the added sugar content in Nestle’s baby food products. While the packaging prominently showcases the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients present in the products using idealized imagery, the report notes that the information on added sugar is often omitted from the nutritional details. This discrepancy raises questions about the company’s marketing practices and the need for clearer labeling standards. “While Nestle prominently highlights the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients contained in its products using idealizing imagery, it’s not transparent when it comes to added sugar.”

Global Discrepancies

The study also highlights significant variations in sugar content across different regions, with products in Ethiopia and Thailand containing nearly 6 grams of sugar per serving.

• Thailand: 6 gram per portion
• Ethiopia: 5.2 gram per portion
• South Africa: 4 gram per portion
• Pakistan: 2.7 gram per portion
• India: 2.2 gram per portion
• Bangladesh: 1.6 gram per portion
• UK: Zero gram per portion
• Germany: Zero gram per portion
• France: Zero gram per portion

Note: A sugar cube or a teaspoon is roughly 4 gm.

Nestle Reacts

Nestle reportedly did not respond to questions from Public Eye and IBFAN. But gave a general statement that it “has reduced by 11 per cent the total amount of added sugars in infant cereal portfolio worldwide” over the past decade and that it will “further reduce the level of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety and taste”.

When TOI contacted Nestle India, its spokesperson said, “Over the past 5 years, Nestle India has reduced added sugars by up to 30 per cent.. in our infant cereals portfolio”.

The spokesperson was further quoted: “We regularly review our portfolio and continue to innovate and reformulate our products to further reduce the levels of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety and taste.”

A Nestle India spokesperson told LiveMint, “Over the past five years, Nestlé India has reduced added sugars by up to 30%, depending on the variant, in our infant cereals portfolio (milk cereal-based complementary food).”

Notably, Nestle’s Cerelac products alone generated over Rs 20,000 crore in revenue in India in 2022.