According to sources, the world’s largest food-producing company, Nestle, has come under the scanner after reports claimed the addition of sugar in Nestle baby products sold in low-income countries.
Public Eye, a Swiss non-governmental organization (NGO), along with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), sent samples of about 150 Nestle baby products from different countries to a Belgian laboratory for analysis. The reports so obtained were made public on April 17, 2024, and showed added sugar in Nestle baby products sold in Asia, South Africa, and Latin America, while the same products had zero added sugar in their main markets, viz. Switzerland, Germany, France, and the UK.
Public Eye is an NGO that advocates for fair globalization, and IBFAN is a web of public interest groups that work towards decreasing global infant morbidity and mortality.
The reports show that 15 Cerelac baby products in India contain nearly 3 grams of added sugar per serving. While a product in South Africa contains about 4 grams per serving or more of added sugar, it is about 6 grams per serving in Thailand and an average of 3 grams per serving for 6 out of 8 baby products sold in Brazil. The highest amount, at 7.3 grams per serving, seen in the Philippines is not even mentioned on the packaging.
According to reports, a WHO scientist has told the public and IFBAN that the double standards seen here are unjustifiable as Nestle doesn’t add sugar to these products in Switzerland but has no issue doing so in lower resource settings, which is both a problem in terms of ethics and public health.
The report has said the presence of added sugar is often not projected on the packaging of these Nestle products, while the minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients are promptly shown, thus creating idealized imagery while not being transparent about the amount of added sugar.
The World Health Organization has warned against the consumption of added sugar by children younger than two years, as it can develop an addictive eating disorder. Reports suggest early exposure to added sugar can result in nutrition-based disorders. It can increase the risk of obesity and chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension later in life. It also results in weight gain, an imbalance of blood sugar, digestive issues, poor dental health, and behavioral issues.
In 2022, the WHO called for the prohibition of added sugar in baby products, asking the industries to be more proactive and reformulate their products.
According to reports, the spokesperson of Nestle India has defended that over the past five years, the company has reduced about 30% of added sugar in their infant cereal portfolio and regularly reviews and reformulates the products to decrease sugar while keeping the quality, safety, and taste intact.
The Indian Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to initiate action and look into the manufacturing practices of Nestle India after the reports came to light.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Yogeeta V H/MSM)