Nestle Reacts to Allegation of Adding Sugar to Infant Formulas

Olufemi Adeyemi 

Nestlé’s leading infant and early childhood nutrition brands sold in low- and middle-income countries contain high levels of added sugar, as opposed to the same products sold in wealthy nations, reveals an investigative report by the Swiss NGO The Public Eye.

In response to the allegations, Nestle Nigeria, a subsidiary of Nestle, a global food and beverage company denied adding sugar to its products sold in Nigeria, insisting it is not violating the global guidelines for infant formulas.

This was contained in a statement released on Thursday, April 18, following an investigation by Swiss investigative organisation Public Eye in collaboration with International Baby Food Action Network.

“Baby food and infant formula are highly regulated categories. We apply the same nutrition, health, and wellness principles everywhere in the world which are aligned with both international and local guidelines and regulations. This includes compliance with labeling requirements and thresholds on carbohydrate content that encompasses sugars.

“Regarding cereals, there may be slight variations in recipes around the world. In Europe, Nestle’s range of cereals comes with and without added sugars. Like everywhere in the world, in Nigeria, we do not add sugars (sucrose and glucose) to infant formulas for children aged 0-12 months. In Nigeria, our growing-up milks have no added sugars. Our milks and cereals for young children are fortified with vitamins and minerals such as iron to help tackle malnutrition,” the statement read.

Laboratory tests conducted on Nestle’s baby food sold in Asia, Africa, and Latin America during the investigations revealed added sugar in products like Cerelac and Nido.

However, baby food sold for children between one and three years in Europe had no added sugars, according to the results of the tests which were conducted in a Belgian lab.

“In Nigeria, one product tested had up to 6.8g, but in Nestlé’s main European markets, including the UK, there is no added sugar in 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,” the report partly read.

This is contrary to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines against adding sugar to foods for babies.

The WHO warned that high levels of sugar in baby foods might result in chronic diseases, obesity and addiction to such additives.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), responsible for the regulation of such products, also denied being aware of added sugar in the products being imported for children’s consumption.

The Agency, however, said It would take up the matter and carry out further investigation to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the allegation.

NAFDAC Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, confirmed that the Agency was yet to be notified of the development. “Nevertheless, the directorate in charge of such an issue will take up the matter. We will speak further on the matter after investigation.”

 

April 21, 2024