In a startling revelation, Nestlé, the world's largest consumer goods company, has been found to add sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many low- and middle-income countries. This practice is in direct contradiction to international guidelines aimed at curbing obesity and chronic diseases, according to a report by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organization.
The report, which scrutinizes the Swiss multinational's baby-food products sold in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, reveals that samples of Nido, a follow-up milk formula brand for infants aged one and above, and Cerelac, a cereal for children aged between six months and two years, contain added sugar in the form of sucrose or honey.
In stark contrast, Nestlé's main European markets, including the UK, do not add sugar to formulas for young children. While some cereals aimed at older toddlers contain added sugar, there is none in products targeted at babies between six months and one year.
Laurent Gaberell, Public Eye’s agriculture and nutrition expert, said, “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.”
Obesity is a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of overweight children under five in Africa has increased by nearly 23% since 2000. Globally, more than 1 billion people are living with obesity.
The WHO guidelines for Europe strictly prohibit added sugars or sweeteners in any food for children under three. Although no specific directives have been issued for other regions, researchers argue that the European guidelines hold global significance.
In response to the report, a Nestlé spokesperson stated that the company believes in the nutritional quality of its products for early childhood and prioritizes using high-quality ingredients adapted to the growth and development of children. She added that the company has reduced the total amount of added sugars in its infant cereals portfolio by 11% worldwide over the past decade and is phasing out sucrose and glucose syrup from "growing-up milks" aimed at toddlers worldwide.
However, the report's findings underscore the urgent need for global food giants like Nestlé to adhere to international guidelines and prioritize the health of children worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where obesity rates are on the rise.
More for you:
