Public Eye Reported That Nestle Adds 2.7g Sugar to Its Baby Products In India, Asian, African And Latin American

Public Eye Reported That Nestle Adds 2.7g Sugar to Its Baby Products: A report published by Swiss NGO, Public Eye and International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) on Wednesday said that one of the leading Swiss multinational food and beverage company 'Nestle' has been selling baby products with a sugar content of 2.7 grams in the developing countries such as Asian, African, Latin American and even in India.

The reports further said that compared to the baby products sold in the United Kingdom, Germany Switzerland, and other developed nations contain no sugar level, they are sugar-free. The reports also said that 'Nestle' adds honey to baby milk and other products which is a complete violation of international food guidelines.

The test of the sample products from Asia, Africa, Latin America and India was held in a Belgian laboratory. However, in Ethiopia and Thailand, the same product contains more than 5 grams per serving.

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The reports said the highest sugar content was found in the products from the Philippines with 7.3 grams of added sugar, also the information about products containing added sugar was not mentioned on the packages.

Indian babies can be fed tons of sugar in their infant years under the garb of wholesome nutrition, because for @Nestle , India is just a market from where it can profit. No social, ethical, standard global health practices apply, shame on them for these dual standards of items… pic.twitter.com/MKQ1zJNXUC

— Priyanka Chaturvedi???????? (@priyankac19) April 18, 2024

A total of 150 products from different countries were tested, 8 products from the Philippines, 15 cereal products from India, and the rest from other countries.

A Nestle India spokesperson said: “We believe in the nutritional quality of our products for early childhood and prioritize using high-quality ingredients. Over the past five years, Nestlé India has reduced added sugars by up to 30 per cent, depending on the variant, in our infant cereals portfolio (milk cereal based complementary food). We regularly review our portfolio and continue to innovate and reformulate our products to further reduce the level of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety and taste.”

Lab results found @Nestle added sugar to infant milk products it sells in Africa, Asia & Latin America. No added sugar in formula set for young children in EU & UK markets. https://t.co/uJkCiiASL9

— Joan van Dyk (@vandykjoan) April 17, 2024

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The report noted "While Nestle prominently highlights the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients contained in its products using idealizing imagery, it's not transparent when it comes to added sugar,"

According to WHO, edibles intended for infants should not contain supplementary sugars or sweetening agents. WHO also encouraged edibles manufacturers to 'take initiative' and 'back public health objectives' by revamping their products.

In response to Public Eye and IBFAN's questions about the double standard, Nestle said that it had reduced the amount of sugar added to infant cereal portfolios by 11% in the past decade. The company also announced that it would "further reduce sugar levels without compromising quality, safety or taste".

Rodrigo Vianna, epidemiologist and Professor at the Department of Nutrition of the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil says "This is a big concern. Sugar should not be added to foods offered to babies and young children because it is unnecessary and highly addictive,"

Reports also stated that in 2023 Nestle has made over 190 billion Indian rupees sales in India. Furthermore, such allegations lead to a drop in Nestle India stocks, currently at Rs 2532.78 with a drop of -0.78% today.

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