Nestlé Accused of Endangering African Babies’ Health with Added Sugar
A recent investigation revealed that Nestlé adds sugar to the majority of Cerelac baby cereals sold in Africa, despite WHO guidelines recommending no added sugars in foods for children under three. Researchers found added sugar in over 90% of the tested samples, with an average of 6 grams per serving. The majority of products without added sugar were imported or recently launched in South Africa, leading to accusations of “double standards” and prioritizing profits over the health of African babies. Nestlé defended its practices, citing the importance of palatable cereals in combating malnutrition and stating that their recipes comply with national regulations, while also announcing the acceleration of its rollout of no added sugar varieties in African countries.
John Q. Hosedrinker