Nestle’s Cerelac in India Reportedly Contains 3 gm Sugar in Every Serving

The report highlighted Nestle’s practice of adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products in several countries, in violation of international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases. The violations were found in Asian, African, and Latin American countries. However, Nestle India Ltd. stated that it has reduced the total amount of added sugars in its infant cereals portfolio by 30% over the past five years and is continuously reviewing and reformulating products to further reduce them. The company emphasized the nutritional quality of its products for early childhood and the use of high-quality ingredients.

The report revealed that in India, all 15 Cerelac baby products contain an average of nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving. In comparison, the same product is sold with no added sugar in Germany and the UK, while in Ethiopia and Thailand, it contains nearly 6 grams. Additionally, the amount of added sugar is often not disclosed in the nutritional information available on the packaging of these products. The report criticized Nestle for not being transparent about the added sugar, despite prominently highlighting the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in its products.

In 2022, Nestle sold over Rs 20,000-Crore worth of Cerelac products in India. Experts expressed concern over the practice of adding sugar to baby products, stating that it is dangerous and unnecessary. Rodrigo Vianna, an epidemiologist and Professor at the Department of Nutrition of the Federal University of Paraiba in Brazil, emphasized that introducing sugar to babies and young children can lead to a cycle of increased cravings for sugary foods, ultimately raising the risk of nutrition-based disorders in adult life, including obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.