In countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, or Belgium, Nestlé products for children, such as baby cereals like Cérélac, are touted for their absence of added sugar. A standard that reassures parents concerned about their toddlers’ nutrition. However, a recent investigation conducted by the Swiss organization Public Eye in collaboration with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) reveals a very different reality in lower-income countries.
The investigation, titled “How Nestlé Makes Children Sugar Addicts in Low-Income Countries,” points fingers at the Swiss multinational’s practices in these less affluent regions. Out of nearly 150 products analyzed, the results are alarming: almost all Cerelac baby cereals examined in these countries contain added sugar, up to nearly 4 grams per serving on average, despite being intended for babies as young as six months old.
Similarly, Nido powdered milk, meant for young children aged one to three, also exhibits a significant added sugar content in most of the samples analyzed. This practice goes against the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), which calls for banning all added sugars from food for babies and young children under three years old.
This early exposure to sugar is particularly concerning as it can create a preference for sweet products throughout the child’s life, thereby increasing the risk of obesity and related diseases. According to the WHO, obesity is no longer confined to high-income countries; it is on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, with a significant increase in the number of overweight children in Africa and Asia.
But why does Nestlé persist in adding sugar to its products for children in poorer countries? For Laurent Gaberell of Public Eye, the answer is clear: it’s about increasing sales. He points out that there is no nutritional justification for including added sugar in baby products. By making children addicted to sugar from a young age, Nestlé ensures a loyal customer base throughout their lives.
However, despite criticism and WHO recommendations, national and international regulations remain weak when it comes to regulating added sugars in baby products. Even in Switzerland and Europe, adding sugar to these products is not prohibited, although it is increasingly contested by consumers.
Nestlé, contacted by the media, defends itself by claiming to have gradually reduced the total amount of added sugars in its baby products over the past decade. The multinational highlights its efforts in innovation and reformulation to further reduce the level of added sugars while ensuring the quality, safety, and taste of its products.
Leave a Reply