Nestle company has come under the scanner of the Government of India. The government has asked for an investigation into reports of alleged sugar adulteration in baby milk sold in India.
A top government official told Business Today TV that we have taken cognizance of the report regarding Nestle and will investigate the matter. The report further said that the government will ask the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to examine the samples of Nestle’s baby food following the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act. Also, senior officers of the Department of Consumer Affairs and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) will soon discuss this matter.
Actually, there is a ban on adding extra sugar to baby food in America and Europe. If any company adds sugar in it, a heavy fine is imposed. But in Asian countries there is no penalty for adding sugar to baby food. In such a situation, reports of Nestle adding sugar in baby food have come to light.
What are WHO’s guidelines?
If this report is found to be true then it is a violation of the instructions of the World Health Organization (WHO). According to WHO, sugar or sweet substances should not be used in the food of children below 3 years of age. The report states that the company discloses vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, but is not transparent about the sugar mix.
What will be the harm from adding sugar?
Adding sugar can increase the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease. Many problems can occur in the body like bad cholesterol, diabetes, risk of Alzheimer’s, problem of cavities in teeth, mental health, weakening of white blood cells, immunity week.
How many grams of sugar is added?
On behalf of Public Eye and IBFAN, 150 products of the company were sent to the Belgian lab for testing. It is claimed that baby food products like Cerelac and others contain 4 grams of sugar per teaspoon, which is equal to one sugar cube. In the product sold in the Philippines, this quantity is found to be 7.5 grams in Cerelac for 6 month old baby.
Highest sales in India and Brazil
According to the report, Nestle is adding more sugar in Asian countries as compared to America and Europe. According to Euromonitor International, Cerelac is the top baby food brand globally, with sales expected to exceed $1 billion in 2022. The largest part of this sales, about 40 percent, comes from Brazil and India.
Swiss investigative organization Public Eye sent samples of Nestlé baby foods sold in Asia, Africa and Latin America to a Belgian laboratory for testing . The results showed that samples of the milk formula brand Nido, used for babies aged one year and older, and the cereal Cerelac, used for babies aged six months to two years, contained sucrose or honey. Sugar was added.
What Nestle has to say:
Nestle India spokesperson said that the company has reduced the added sugar in its baby food by 30 percent in the last five years. The company statement said that we regularly test our food and improve our products to reduce the level of added sugar without compromising quality, safety and taste.