In India and other developing nations, when it comes to infant milk, or cereal based infant food, people blindly trust Nestle, the brand that has been consumed even by the 40-year-old millennials today. However, a recent report and investigation by The Public Eye along with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) has took the world by storm. The report through its study and investigation reveals that in almost every Nestle baby food Cerelac sold in India and other developing nations in Asia and Africa, there is almost 3gm of added sugar – clearly violating WHO guidelines.
What are the Shocking Revelations on Nestle Baby Food Cerelac? ?
Samples of Nestle baby-food products from Asia, Africa, and Latin America were sent to a Belgian laboratory for testing, with 108 out of 115 products found to contain added sugar.
While, WHO guidelines do not allow any type of added sugar in its baby food guidelines, laboratory analyses of 15 Cerelac products sold in India have revealed that each serving contains an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar. This exceeds 2.7 grams of added sugar per serving.
The sad part? Nestle’s labeling highlights the nutrients, the presence of added sugar is not as clearly disclosed.
The analysis revealed an average of nearly 4 grams of added sugar per serving across Nestle products tested, equivalent to about one sugar cube. The highest amount detected was 7.3 grams per serving in a product sold in the Philippines for six-month-old babies.
In India, where Cerelac sales exceeded $250 million in 2022, all Cerelac baby cereals were found to contain added sugar, averaging nearly 3 grams per serving.
Similarly, in South Africa, a major market in Africa, all Cerelac baby cereals contained four grams or more of added sugar per serving.
In Brazil, where Cerelac is known as Mucilon, three-quarters of the baby cereals contained added sugar, averaging 3 grams per serving, with some products containing nearly 4 grams of added sugar.
Also Read: What are the Common Health Problems Caused by Sugar
Nestle Baby Foods in Developing Countries Vs Nest Baby Foods in the Developed Nations
The researchers uncovered an alarming double standard, wherein the company appeared to deviate from WHO guidelines in poorer nations while seemingly favoring higher-income countries.
“Cerelac wheat-based cereals for six-month-old babies sold by Nestle in Germany and the United Kingdom have no added sugar, while the same product contains over 5 grams per serving in Ethiopia and 6 grams in Thailand,” the study reported.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines on ingredients and added sugars for brands that sell baby foods, aiming to promote optimal nutrition and health for infants and young children.
Also Read: How to Boost Your Baby’s Brain Development
What is the WHO Guidelines for Baby Foods including Infant Milk?
Ingredients Guidelines:
- WHO recommends that complementary foods for infants (aged 6–23 months) should be based on locally available and culturally acceptable foods.
- The composition of complementary foods should be nutritionally adequate and safe, taking into account the infant’s nutrient needs and the nutrient content of breast milk.
Added Sugar Guidelines:
- WHO recommends avoiding the addition of sugars to complementary foods given to infants and young children under 2 years of age.
- This includes avoiding the use of honey and other syrups or sweeteners as ingredients in baby foods.
- The guideline emphasizes that a diet high in added sugars during infancy and early childhood can lead to unhealthy weight gain and increase the risk of dental caries (tooth decay).
For brands selling baby foods, adherence to WHO guidelines means:
- Using natural and nutritious ingredients that are suitable for infants’ developmental needs.
- Avoiding the addition of sugars, including honey and syrups, in baby foods intended for children under 2 years of age.
- Ensuring transparent and accurate labeling of ingredients to inform parents and caregivers about the nutritional content of baby foods.
Going by the sample tested, it shows how Nestle Baby Food Cerelac clearly violates WHO guidelines. It is misleading parents, and also playing with the health of children across India and other poor nations. (Additional Reading: Guidance for Ending the Inappropriate Promotions of Food for Infants by WHO)
