Nestlé has rejected the Public Eye report that it deliberately adds sugar to baby food marketed in poor countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America which contributes to the rise of obesity and leads children to develop a life-long preference for sugary products.
“We apply the same nutrition, health, and wellness principles everywhere in the world which are aligned with both international and local guidelines and regulations. This includes compliance with labeling requirements and thresholds on carbohydrate content that encompasses sugars,” Nestlé said in a statement copied to Metro TV.
It further clarified that regarding cereals, “there may be slight variations in recipes around the world.” Nestlé explained “In Europe, Nestlé’s range of cereals comes with and without added sugars.
The food and beverage manufacturing company noted that baby food and infant formula are highly regulated categories – this makes it highly impossible to carry out such an agenda as claimed by the Public Eye.
Nestlé assured Ghanaians its baby food sucrose and glucose. Saying “Like everywhere in the world, in Ghana, we do not add sugars (sucrose and glucose) to Infant Formulas for children aged 0-12 months.”
“Therefore, NIDO 1+ will be without any added sugars,” the food and beverage company added.
Nestle reiterated its milks and cereals products for young children are “fortified with vitamins and minerals such as iron to help tackle malnutrition in Central and West Africa.”
