The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has instructed the Food Safety And Standards Authority Of India (FSSAI) to launch an investigation into recent allegations against Nestle regarding the addition of sugar to baby products sold in India.
Following a report exposing Nestle’s purported inclusion of sugar in infant milk products across India, Asia, and Africa, CCPA’s chief Nidhi Khare confirmed the directive to PTI.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has also taken notice of the issue and issued a notice to FSSAI in this regard.
As per the report by Public Eye, Nestle allegedly incorporated sugar, in the form of sucrose or honey, in samples of Nido, a follow-up milk formula for infants aged one and above, and Cerelac, a cereal targeted at children between six months and two years.
The revelation stemmed from samples sent by the investigative organization to a Belgian laboratory for testing, encompassing Nestle’s baby food products distributed across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
In India alone, where Nestle’s sales exceeded $250 million in 2022, it was revealed that all Cerelac baby cereals contain added sugar, averaging nearly 3 grams per serving.
However, Nestlé India countered the claims by stating that it has substantially reduced the added sugar content by almost 30 percent in its infant cereals portfolio over the last five years.
Addressing queries, a spokesperson from Nestlé India affirmed the company’s commitment to continual evaluation and reformulation of products to minimize added sugars while upholding quality, safety, and flavor standards.
Presently, Nestlé’s products in India prominently display 7 grams of sugar per 100 grams, as indicated by the nutritional label.
