In Switzerland, Nestlé’s Cerelac baby cereal is marketed as containing “no added sugar.” However, the same product in Senegal and South Africa includes 6 grams of added sugar per serving, and in the Philippines, a version for infants aged 1 to 6 months has 7.3 grams of added sugar per serving, nearly two teaspoons, as revealed by a Public Eye investigation.
This apparent “double standard” in Nestlé’s global marketing and product formulation practices for its baby food brands has been highlighted in a report by Public Eye, a Swiss-based nonpartisan investigative group, and the International Baby Food Action Network. The investigation, which was published in BMJ in April, has sparked concern among global health experts due to these discrepancies.
According to the report, Nestlé has added sugars and honey to some of its baby cereal and formula products in lower-income countries, whereas similar products in Europe and other nations are promoted with “no added sugars.” Public Eye analyzed 115 baby food products under Nestlé’s Cerelac and Nido brands from Africa, Asia, and Latin America, finding that 94% contained added sugar. They quantified added sugars in 67 products, averaging nearly 4 grams per serving.
Laurent Gaberell, a Public Eye researcher, faced challenges in finding a laboratory for testing; Swiss labs declined due to potential negative impacts on their business relationships, leading to collaboration with a Belgian lab.
Nestlé, whose infant nutrition products significantly contributed to its $11.2 billion net profit in 2023, has acknowledged the presence of added sugars in some products and expressed commitment to reducing this and enhancing sugar-free options by the end of 2024.
Criticism has been leveled at Nestlé for contravening international guidelines on child and infant nutrition, which advocate for no added sugars in foods for children under three. The controversy has prompted independent investigations by food safety authorities in countries like India and Nigeria, where Nestlé insists its products meet local standards.
Nestlé’s response emphasizes its adherence to international food standards and guidelines, including the Codex Alimentarius, developed by WHO and the Food and Agriculture Organization. However, health experts and pediatricians like Dr. Sara Siddiqui from NYU Langone Health warn of the potential long-term health impacts of early sugar intake, emphasizing the need for reducing sugar in diets to combat the global obesity crisis.
The report calls for more stringent global standards and local education on traditional infant nutrition practices, urging Nestlé to eliminate added sugars in all infant products worldwide.
