Nestle Adds 3 gm Sugar In Every Serving Of Cerelac Sold In India
Findings showed that in India, all 15 Cerelac baby products contain an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving.
Two of the best-selling baby-food brands by Nestle in India contain high levels of added sugar, while such products are sugar-free in the United Kingdom, Germany Switzerland, and other developed nations, according to an investigation by Public Eye. The report said that Nestle, which is the world's largest consumer goods company, adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products in several countries, a violation of international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases. Violations were found only in Asian, African, and Latin American countries.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Nestle India spokesperson said the company, for five years, has reduced added sugars by up to 30 per cent. "We believe in the nutritional quality of our products for early childhood and prioritise using high-quality ingredients. Over the past 5 years, Nestle India has reduced added sugars by up to 30%, 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 levels of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety and taste," it said.
Findings showed that in India, all 15 Cerelac baby products contain an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving. The same product is being sold with no added sugar in Germany and the UK, while in Ethiopia and Thailand, it contains nearly 6 grams, the study said.
Nestle sold over ₹ 20,000-Crore worth of Cerelac products in India in 2022. Experts say that adding sugar, which is highly addictive, to baby products is a dangerous and unnecessary practice.
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