Nestle India is committed to reformulating products to lower added sugar levels

Nestle India has come under scrutiny following a report by Swiss investigative organisation, Public Eye, which alleged that Nestle’s baby food products in low-and-middle income countries, including India, contain high levels of added sugar. The report, first reported by the Guardian, has raised concerns about the nutritional quality of Nestle’s baby food products, specifically the brands Cerelac and Nido.

In response to the report, Nestle India released a statement on Wednesday, assuring consumers that they have reduced added sugars by up to 30% in their infant cereals portfolio over the past five years. The company emphasized its commitment to using high-quality ingredients and continuously reviewing and reformulating its products to reduce the level of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety, and taste.

According to the report, all Cerelac baby cereals in India contain added sugar, averaging nearly three grams per serving. Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBAN) examined around 150 products sold in lower-income countries, revealing that almost all Cerelac products contain added sugar, roughly four grams per serving on average, despite being targeted at babies from six months of age.

Nestle India’s efforts to address the concerns raised by the report highlight the company’s commitment to providing nutritious and safe products for infants. As the debate over sugar levels in baby food continues, stakeholders will be closely monitoring Nestle’s actions to further reduce added sugars in its products.