Nestle Responds To Accusations Of Sugar Addition In Baby Formulas In Nigeria

Nestle Nigeria, a branch of the Global Food and Beverage Giant, refutes sugar addition claims in Nigeria infant formulas, asserting compliance with international standards.

This response follows a recent investigation carried out by the Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organisation, in collaboration with the International Baby Food Action Network, a coalition focused on improving maternal and infant health, showed that infant formula and cereal sold in the global south ignore the World Health Organisation anti-obesity guidelines for Europe.

The findings published recently indicated that the global food company based in Switzerland adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold to Nigeria and other countries such as India, Brazil, and the Philippines, contrary to international guidelines.

The results, and examination of product packaging, revealed added sugar in the form of sucrose or honey in samples of Nido, a follow-up milk formula brand intended for use for infants aged one and above, and Cerelac, a cereal aimed at children aged between six months and two years.

According to the report, while baby formulas sold in Europe for children 12 – 36 months contained no sugar, Nonetheless, Nestle has refuted the report, asserting its commitment to consistent production practices without any double standards.

“Nestlé must put an end to these dangerous double standards and stop adding sugar in all products for children under three years old, in every part of the world”, Public Eye’s agriculture and nutrition expert, Laurent Gaberell, said.

Although some of these products have labels, it is, however, difficult for consumers in any country to tell whether a product contains added sugar, and how much is present, based on nutritional information printed on the packaging alone.

WHO guidelines for the European region say no added sugars or sweetening agents should be permitted in any food for children under three.

While no guidance has been specifically produced for other regions, researchers say the European document remains equally relevant to other parts of the world.

Nestle, however, in its position on the report claimed that it applies the same nutrition, health, and wellness principles everywhere while also aligning with international guidelines and regulations.

In response to the report, some experts remarked, what is recommended in Nigeria is exclusively breastfeeding of babies between ages zero to six months, which will be followed by complementary feeding after six months.

They noted that complementary feeding is needed to provide energy and essential nutrients required for the continued growth and development of babies.

The experts argued that the report on Nestle adding sugar or honey to infant formulas should not have risen in the first place if babies were exclusively breastfed in the first six months.

”Nestle Nigeria,  reacting to the allegation in a statement issued by the company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Victoria Uwadoka, said it did not violate the global guidelines for infant formulas.

The company claimed it provided the same nutrition, health, and wellness principles everywhere in the world, stating, however, that Cerelac may have slight variations in recipes worldwide.

The statement partly read, “Baby food and Infant formula are highly regulated categories.

“We apply the same nutrition, health, and wellness principles everywhere in the
world which is aligned with both international and local guidelines and regulations. This includes compliance with labelling requirements and thresholds on carbohydrate content that encompasses sugars.

“Regarding cereals, there may be slight variations in recipes around the world. In Europe, Nestlé’s range of cereals comes with and without added sugars. Like everywhere in the world, in Nigeria, we do not add sugars (sucrose and glucose) to Infant formulas for children aged 0-12 months.”

The company maintained that In Nigeria, “Our milk and cereals for young children are fortified with vitamins and minerals such as iron to help tackle malnutrition”, the statement added.