Nestlé is being accused of putting more sugar in baby food sold in poorer countries

Nestlé, a food and beverage company, has been accused of adding sugar and honey to its infant milk and cereal products in many poorer countries, a practice not seen in wealthier nations. This is seen as contradicting international health guidelines designed to combat childhood obesity and chronic diseases. The allegations come from a report by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative group, which sent baby food samples from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to a Belgian lab for testing.

The findings were concerning. “Researchers examined baby food products from Nestlé, including a follow-up milk formula brand intended for infants aged one and above, and Cerelac, a cereal aimed at children aged between six months and two years, sold in Asia, Africa, and Latin America,” the report stated. The tests “revealed that high levels of added sugar or honey were found in many samples.”

For instance, “biscuit-flavored cereals for babies aged six months and older contained 6g of added sugar per serving in Senegal and South Africa.” Further testing on Cerelac products in India showed “on average, more than 2.7g of added sugar for every serving.” In contrast, similar products in Nestlé’s European markets, such as Switzerland, Germany, France, and the UK, contain no added sugar.

Public Eye’s report is critical of Nestlé for applying different standards in different regions, noting that while the company has reduced the total amount of added sugars in its infant cereal portfolio worldwide by 11% over the past decade, the levels of sugar added to products in lower-income countries remain high. A spokesperson from Nestlé responded, stating, “We believe in the nutritional quality of our products for early childhood and prioritize using high-quality ingredients adapted to the growth and development of children.” They also emphasized that their products “fully comply” with the Codex Alimentarius and local laws.

Laurent Gaberell, an agriculture and nutrition expert at Public Eye, expressed concern over these practices: “Nestlé must put an end to these dangerous double standards and stop adding sugar in all products for children under three years old, in every part of the world.”