Nestle accused of risking baby heath in Africa, Asia and Latin America

"Swiss food giant Nestle has been adding sugar to babyfood to help it stoke sales in Africa, Asia and Latin America after cutting it from products sold in European markets, according to a report from an NGO. Released on Tuesday by Swiss-based global justice organisation Public Eye, the report, entitled How Nestle gets children hooked on sugar in lower-income countries, accuses the company of putting the health of babies at risk for profit."

"The amount of sugar added varied across markets, the study found. Baby cereal sold under the Cerelac brand in Thailand contained six grams of sugar or about 1.5 sugar cubes per serving. In Ethiopia, it had 5.2 grams added, while babies in Pakistan eat Cerelac with 2.7 grams of added sugar. In Switzerland and other main European markets such as Germany and the United Kingdom, Cerelac is sold without any added sugar."

"The World Health Organization advises that foods for children under three should contain no added sugars or sweetening agents, warning that exposure to sugar early in life can create a lifelong preference for sugary products that increases the risk of developing obesity and other chronic illnesses. Nestle controls 20 percent of the global babyfood market, which has annual sales of nearly $70bn, and advertises aggressively in Africa, Asia and Latin America that its products are essential to children's healthy development, according to Public Eye."

Nestle adds sugar to babyfood sold in Africa, Asia and Latin America while selling sugar-free versions in European markets. Added sugar was present in 93 percent of Nestle babyfood products in those regions. Sugar levels varied by country: Cerelac contained six grams per serving in Thailand, 5.2 grams in Ethiopia and 2.7 grams in Pakistan. Cerelac sold in Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom contains no added sugar. The World Health Organization advises no added sugars for children under three due to lifelong preference formation and increased obesity and chronic disease risk. Nestle holds about 20 percent of the global babyfood market and advertises heavily in lower-income regions.

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