Nestle accused of 'risking health of babies for profit' over added sugar in cereals sold in African countries

"Nestle is still adding sugar to most baby cereals sold across Africa, according to an investigation by campaigners who have accused the company of putting the health of African babies at risk for profit. The food firm was accused of double standards over the researchers' findings, which come at a time when rates of childhood obesity are rising on the continent, prompting calls for Nestle to remove all added sugar from baby-food products."

"A company spokesperson said that having cereals sweet enough to be palatable to infants was vital in combating malnutrition. The firm said their recipes were well within limits set by national regulations in the countries concerned. Public Eye researchers worked with activists in more than 20 African countries to buy 94 samples of Cerelac products marketed for babies aged six months and above, which were sent to a laboratory for analysis."

"The laboratory found added sugar in more than 90% of baby cereals, with an average of 6g, or one-and-a-half teaspoons, per serving. Most products without added sugar were imported, they said, and had originally been intended for sale in Europe, apart from two variants recently launched in South Africa. The amount of added sugar identified ranged from about 5g a serving for products found in Egypt, Madagascar, South Africa, Malawi and Nigeria to 7.5g in a product sold in Kenya."

Researchers purchased 94 samples of Cerelac baby cereals from more than 20 African countries and sent them to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory detected added sugar in more than 90% of products, averaging about 6g (one-and-a-half teaspoons) per serving, with values ranging roughly 5g to 7.5g across countries. Most sugar-free variants were imported products originally intended for Europe, except two recently launched in South Africa. Nestle said sweetened cereals improve palatability to combat malnutrition and that recipes meet national regulations. WHO recommends no added sugars for children under three, and rising childhood obesity rates have prompted calls to remove added sugar.

Read at www.theguardian.com