Nestle: In 2015, Swiss giant Nestle, which came under the scanner for having extra MSG (monosodium glutamate) in its Mangie made in 2 minutes, is once again in controversy. ‘Public Eye’, a website that monitors Swiss companies, has made shocking revelations in its investigation report. After investigation, it was found that Nestle uses excessive amount of sugar in its baby products sold in India. The company uses more sugar in its baby products sold in India, whereas the same products are sold without sugar in developed countries like Europe, Britain and Germany. The company’s discriminatory attitude towards India has now increased its problems. If the company is found guilty in the investigation by FSSAI, then action can be taken against it. 

Why double standards with India? 

Nestle’s baby food products sold in India, especially baby milk and cerelac, are being used with added sugar. Due to this negligence of Nestle, the risk of obesity and other diseases is increasing in children. In violation of international guidelines, Nestle is selling products containing sugar in poor and developing countries including India, whereas in countries like Britain, Europe and Germany, sugar is not used in those products. Nestle’s double standards in countries of Asia, Africa and South America have exposed the company. Due to its carelessness, Nestle is playing with the health of Indian children.  

Why sugar in baby food products of poor countries?  

Public Eye’s report has exposed Nestle. The company adds more sugar to children’s products in poor countries, whereas in developed countries the amount of sugar is negligible or not there at all. Not only this, the company does not even provide this information on its products. Details of vitamins and minerals are available, but information about the sugar present in the product is not mentioned. This attitude of the company is harming the health of children in the countries including India where these products are being sold. Nestle’s Cerelac in India has 3 to 4 grams of sugar in every spoonful. Whereas in countries like Switzerland, Britain, Europe this quantity is zero. According to the instructions of the World Health Organization, the amount of sugar in the food of children under 3 years of age can cause health problems like obesity, mental health, weakening of white blood cells, poor immunity, tooth cavities.  

India is a big market, yet it behaves like this 

It is not that India is a small market for Nestle. In the year 2022, Nestle sold only baby food Cerelac worth more than Rs 20,000 crore in India. In the year 2022, Nestle sold Cerelac worth more than $ 1 billion worldwide, in which India and Brazil had a share of more than 40 percent. In India, cerelac is sold as a complete food for children.  

India’s strictness 

The government has shown strictness regarding this negligence of Nestle. India’s food regulator FSSAI has said that this matter will be investigated by a scientific committee. It is believed that if any irregularities are found by FSSAI, strict action can be taken against the company.  

Action on Bournvita also  

Not only Nestle, Bournvita also did something similar with India. In India, people have been drinking Bournvita considering it as a ‘health drink’. In its advertisements it was also shown as a health drink, but NCPCR in its investigation found that the amount of sugar in Bournvita is very high. After which NCPCR ordered that the brand will have to withdraw its misleading advertisements. At the same time, its product was excluded from the health drink category.