Key Development

A new report by Public Eye claims Nestlé sells Cerelac baby cereals with added sugar in many African countries, while the same products in Europe contain zero added sugar. Tests showed most African samples had added sugar, unlike those sold in Switzerland, Germany, and the UK. The World Health Organisation’s 2022 guidelines caution that giving babies added sugar can create long-term cravings and raise the risk of childhood obesity—an issue rapidly growing in Africa.

Civil Groups Call Out “Double Standards”

Nineteen African civil society groups sent an open letter to Nestlé’s CEO, accusing the company of using double standards in infant nutrition. They argued that if sugary cereals are not acceptable for European babies, they shouldn’t be fed to African babies either. Nestlé rejected the allegations and insisted it applies the same nutrition policies worldwide. The company said it already sells both sugared and no-sugar variants in similar price ranges across markets and plans to make all variants sugar-free by the end of 2025.

Lab Analysis Shows Consistent Sugar Addition

Public Eye collected nearly 100 Cerelac products from 20 African countries. A certified lab found that 90% contained added sugar, averaging 6 grams per serving—about 1.5 sugar cubes. The highest level was detected in Kenya, with 7.5 grams per serving. WHO reports childhood obesity is increasing in Africa, even as undernutrition remains widespread. Experts warn that adding sugar to infant foods can worsen this “double burden” and raise long-term health risks.

Activists Demand Immediate Action

Civil society groups accused Nestlé of prioritizing profit over infant health and demanded the company immediately stop selling baby cereals with added sugar in Africa. They warned that sugary infant foods put millions of babies at risk.

Source: Aljazeera