By Our Reporter
Nestlé is facing fresh allegations of “double standards” after a new investigation claimed the company adds sugar to baby cereals sold in Africa, while similar products in Europe contain none.
The report, released by Swiss NGO Public Eye, found that most samples of Nestlé’s Cerelac infant cereals sold across Africa contained added sugar, despite World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines warning that early exposure to sugar increases the risk of obesity and long-term health problems.
In Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom, Cerelac products for babies above six months contain zero added sugar. However, Public Eye said that 90 percent of the nearly 100 Cerelac samples it tested from 20 African countries contained added sugar. Each serving reportedly contained an average of six grams—about one-and-a-half sugar cubes—with one Kenyan product reaching 7.5 grams.
Nineteen Africa-based civil society organisations have written to Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil, condemning what they called “double standards” and demanding an end to sugary infant cereals on the continent. “If added sugar is not suitable for Swiss and European children, it is not suitable for children in Africa,” the letter said.
Nestlé rejected the accusations, insisting it maintains the same nutrition standards globally. The company said it offers both sugared and no-added-sugar variants in Africa and noted that 97 percent of its markets already have sugar-free options, with a goal of reaching 100 percent by the end of 2025.
Despite rising childhood obesity rates in Africa, Nestlé argued that undernutrition remains the continent’s most urgent health issue. The company also questioned Public Eye’s testing methods and said its own sugar content labels rely on certified laboratory assessments.
Public Eye’s findings follow a similar investigation last year in Asia and Latin America, which also found added sugar in Nestlé baby foods. After that report, the company introduced 14 new sugar-free Cerelac varieties in India.
Civil society groups maintain that the company is prioritizing profits at the expense of children’s health. “By adding sugar to infant cereals, Nestlé is deliberately putting the health of African babies at risk for profit,” they said. “This must end now.”
Courtesy: Al Jazeera