Nestle adds significantly higher levels of sugar to infant and baby products sold in Asia, Africa, and Latin America compared to European markets, a report has found.
According to The Guardian, a report by a Swiss NGO, Public Eye, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) revealed that Nestle adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries, contrary to international guidelines.
Campaigners sent samples of baby-food products sold in Global South countries to a Belgian laboratory for testing.
The report reveals that all 15 Cerelac baby products for six-month-old infants, which are sold without added sugars in the UK and Germany, contained 2.7 grams of added sugar per serving in India.
While in Ethiopia and Thailand, this figure is nearly 6 grams, according to the study.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for a ban on adding sugars and other sweeteners like honey to food for children aged 3 and under.
WHO also warned that the added sugar in baby foods can contribute to the development of addictive eating habits and a preference for sweet tastes from an early age.
It also called on countries to reduce free sugar intake in children and adults to 10% of their total energy intake.
