There is no violation in sugar content in Nestle baby food: JP Nadda informed Lok Sabha

In response to allegations by a Swiss NGO over the sugar content of Cerelac, a wheat-based baby food product produced by Nestlé, the Indian government has asserted that the product complies with domestic and global food safety standards. This was stated by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda in Lok Sabha.

The NGO’s report claimed that Cerelac sold in India contains 2.7 grams of added sugar per serving, unlike its counterparts in the UK and Germany, which are said to contain no added sugar. Concerns were raised as the World Health Organization advised against introducing added sugars before the age of two to reduce the risk of obesity and chronic diseases.

Addressing the issue, Minister Nadda informed the House that the Food Safety and Standards (Food for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, impose sugar limits on baby food products that are in line with global standards such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission. These standards include WHO recommendations on infant feeding.

Based on its own knowledge, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) conducted inspections on April 29 and 30, 2024, at Nestlé’s manufacturing sites producing the product in India. After examination, it was found that the sugar content in Cerelac complies with the 2020 regulations.

Reports indicate that Nestlé adjusts the sugar content of Cerelac differently in Asian countries than in developed markets such as the United States and Europe.

According to Euromonitor International, Cerelac is the leading baby cereal brand globally, with sales exceeding $1 billion in 2022. Notably, a significant portion of these sales, about 40 percent, occur in low- and middle-income countries, with Brazil and India . It alone represents a large share.