Two of Nestle's best-selling baby food brands in India contain high levels of sugar. However, the same products are sugar-free in the US, UK, Germany, Switzerland, and other developed nations, according to an investigation by Public Eye.
According to the report, Nestle, the world's largest consumer goods company, adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products in several countries, violating international guidelines to prevent obesity and chronic diseases.
Violations were found only in Asian, African, and Latin American countries.
According to the findings, all 15 Cerelac baby products sold in India contain an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving.
The study said the same product is sold without added sugar in Germany and the UK, while in Ethiopia and Thailand, it contains nearly 6 grams.
The amount of added sugar is often not disclosed in the nutritional information on the packaging of these products.
"While Nestle prominently highlights the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients contained in its products using idealising imagery, it's not transparent when it comes to added sugar," the report said.
Nestle sold over Rs 20,000 crore worth of Cerelac products in India in 2022.
Experts say adding sugar to baby products is a dangerous practice.
"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," says Rodrigo Vianna, epidemiologist and Professor at the Department of Nutrition of the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil.
"Children get used to the sweet taste and start looking for more sugary foods, starting a negative cycle that increases the risk of nutrition-based disorders in adult life. These include obesity and other chronic non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes or high blood pressure," he added.
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