Nestle adds more sugar to its baby products sold in Asian nations including India, new study reveals

A new study has reported that Nestle adds sugar to its baby products like Cerelac in Asian countries including India. Swiss investigative organisation, Public eye and International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) tested Nestle’s baby-food products sold in Asia, Africa and Latin America in a Belgian laboratory and found that added sugar in the form of sucrose or honey was found in of Nido, a follow-up milk formula brand used for infants aged one and above, and Cerelac, meant for children aged between six months and two years.

The report also stated that Cerelac sold in UK, Germany and France are devoid of any added sugar.

What World Health Organization (WHO) recommends

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends limiting the consumption of added sugars for all age groups, including babies and young children. In 2019, WHO issued guidelines specifically targeting added sugar in baby food products.  

WHO advises against the addition of any sugars, including fruit juices and concentrated fruit juice, to complementary foods (foods given to infants in addition to breast milk or formula) for children under 2 years of age.

Instead of sweetened foods or beverages, WHO encourages the consumption of nutrient-rich foods to promote healthy growth and development in infants and young children.

WHO also emphasizes the importance of educating caregivers about the risks associated with excessive sugar intake in infants and young children and providing guidance on appropriate feeding practices.

What did FSSAI say?

 The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched an inquiry into the claims reported in the study conducted by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organisation, and International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), according to sources sited by ET Now. FSSAI said if Nestle is found violating regulations, it will take strigent action against the company.

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