Nestlé faces scrutiny as report finds added sugar in Cerelac baby cereals across Africa 

AFRICA – Nestlé is facing renewed scrutiny following allegations that most of its Cerelac baby cereals sold across Africa contain added sugar, with a new investigation revealing that more than 90% of the products tested had nearly 6 grams of added sugar per serving.  

The findings have led to claims of “double standards” at a time when childhood obesity rates continue to increase across the continent. 

The investigation, conducted by Public Eye, a Swiss organisation focused on global justice, analysed 94 Cerelac samples collected by activists in over 20 African countries.

The products, marketed for infants aged six months and above, were sent to a laboratory, which concluded that the vast majority contained added sugar, averaging about one-and-a-half teaspoons per serving. 

According to the researchers, most Cerelac variants without added sugar were imports originally intended for European markets, with the exception of two recently launched in South Africa.  

The level of added sugar in the analysed products varied by market, ranging from approximately 5 grams per serving in Egypt, Madagascar, South Africa, Malawi, and Nigeria to as high as 7.5 grams in one product sold in Kenya. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that foods for children under three years old should include no added sugars or sweetening agents, citing concerns about shaping long-term preferences for sweetened foods and increasing the risk of diet-related conditions later in life. 

The latest findings follow an earlier investigation published by Public Eye in April 2024, which reported that Nestlé added sugar and honey to infant cereals and milk products sold in regions such as Asia, Africa, and Latin America, while similar products in wealthier countries contained no added sugar.  

In response, 12 African civil society and consumer groups issued a letter to Nestlé’s chief executive, Philipp Navratil, criticising the company for offering “less healthy options” in African markets. 

Nestlé has rejected the allegations, calling the report “misleading.” A company spokesperson stated that ensuring cereals are palatable for infants is essential in addressing malnutrition and emphasised that all recipes comply with national regulatory standards.  

Peggy Diby, global head of corporate affairs for Nestlé Nutrition, said the accusations contradict the company’s values and insisted there is no double standard in its approach to early childhood nutrition. 

Nestlé noted that it has introduced 14 Cerelac variants with no added sugar in India over the past year and is increasing efforts to expand its range of no-added-sugar options across African countries.  

However, campaigners argue that the company must immediately cease adding sugar to baby foods, warning that continued practices risk contributing to what they describe as a growing epidemic of diet-related non-communicable diseases across the continent. 

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