Nestle Reacts After Report Claims Cerelac Sold In India Has 2.7gm Of Sugar: 'Reduction a Priority'

Following the crackdown on the popular supplement 'Bournvita' by the Centre, Nestle 's baby food is now under scrutiny. A recent study has brought to light that Nestle adds sugar to infant milk sold in poorer countries but refrains from doing so in its main markets in Europe or the UK.

A report in Times of India cited a study conducted by Public Eye , a Swiss investigative organization, and IBFAN (International Baby Food Action Network).

The revelation came to light when samples of the company’s baby food products sold in Asia, Africa, and Latin America were subjected to testing at a Belgian laboratory.

WHAT DOES NESTLE SAY ON LATEST REPORT?
Nestle purportedly did not respond to queries from Public Eye and IBFAN. However, the company issued a general statement mentioning that it "has reduced by 11 per cent the total amount of added sugars in infant cereal portfolio worldwide" over the past decade. It further assured that it would "further reduce the level of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety, and taste."

When contacted by TOI, a spokesperson for Nestle India stated, "Over the past 5 years, Nestle India has reduced added sugars by up to 30 per cent in our infant cereals portfolio."

The spokesperson added, "We regularly review our portfolio and continue to innovate and reformulate our products to further reduce the levels of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety, and taste."

COMPARISON OF SUGAR IN ‘ CERELAC ’ IN DIFFERENT NATIONS
According to the report, in India, where sales surpassed $250 million in 2022, all Cerelac baby cereals contain added sugar , averaging nearly 3 grams per serving.

The publication illustrated the added sugar content of the same Cerelac wheat product in various countries through a graphic.

• Thailand: 6 grams per portion
• Ethiopia: 5.2 grams per portion
• South Africa: 4 grams per portion
• Pakistan: 2.7 grams per portion
• India: 2.2 grams per portion
• Bangladesh: 1.6 grams per portion
• UK: Zero grams per portion
• Germany: Zero grams per portion
• France: Zero grams per portion

Note: A sugar cube or a teaspoon is roughly 4 grams.

The report also highlighted that Nestle's website, offering advice on nutrition for babies, states: "It is not recommended to add sugar when preparing food for your baby, nor to offer him sugary drinks. Some leading nutrition and health experts suggest that fruit juices should not be introduced in the first year because of their relatively high natural sugar content. …Avoid juice drinks or other mixed drinks, which have added sweeteners. Always check the label."

However, this advice does not seem to be applied to Nestle's own products sold in low and middle-income countries, as noted by TOI.

The report quoted Nigel Rollins, a scientist at WHO , who told Public Eye and IBFAN: "There is a double standard here that can’t be justified." He added that the fact that Nestle doesn’t add sugar to these products in Switzerland but is willing to do so in lower resource settings "is problematic both from a public health & ethical perspective."

WHAT DOES WHO SAY ON EXCESS CONSUMPTION OF SUGAR?

Public Eye and IBFAN cited the World Health Organization (WHO) warning that exposure to sugar early in life can lead to a lifelong preference for sugary products, increasing the risk of developing obesity and other chronic illnesses.

In 2022, WHO called for a ban on added sugars and sweeteners in food products for babies and urged the industry to "be proactive" and "support public health goals" by reformulating its products.

AMID HIGH SUGAR CONTENT REPORT, NESTLE INDIA SHARES SINK

Shares of Nestle India on Thursday fell up to 5.4 per cent to the day’s low at Rs 2,409.55 on BSE amid the revelation by Public Eye and IBFAN. Today’s fall in shares of Nestle, regarded as a long-term compounding machine, was the worst single-day drop in the last 3 years.