The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is examining a major investigation by a Swiss agency, which alleges that Nestle adds sugar to baby food in low- and middle-income countries, including India, but not in wealthier nations, News18 learnt on Thursday.
The probe by investigative agency Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) showed that almost all Cerelac infant cereals examined contain added sugar — nearly 4 grams per serving on average for all low- and middle-income countries.
A top government source has told News18 that food regulator FSSAI is examining the report and soon it will be placed before a scientific panel for further action.
FSSAI is a statutory body under the ministry of health and family welfare. The authority forms these scientific panels under Section 13 of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. These panels are tasked with developing standards and offering scientific opinions or insights to the food authority when needed.
Another official told News18 that the department of consumer affairs is likely to test samples of Nestle’s infant food sold across India. “Department of Consumer Affairs will request the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to examine samples of Nestle’s infant food in accordance with the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act,” the official said.
Swiss food major Nestle was embroiled in controversy in 2015 as well over its noodle brand, Maggi. Cerelac is a range of cereals for complementary food for infants from six months onwards when doctors advise starting solid foods to meet the baby’s growing nutritional requirements.
Many Indian parents choose to buy this product for their children aged 6 months to 24 months as Nestle promotes its brand Cerelac as a range of nutritious, easily digested instant cereals. In India, in 2022, the sales of this product exceeded $250 million, whereas globally, it recorded sales of over $1 billion that year.
“We would like to assure you that our Infant Cereal products, are manufactured to ensure the appropriate delivery of nutritional requirements such as Protein, Carbohydrates, Vitamins, Minerals, Iron etc. for early childhood. We never compromise and will never compromise on the nutritional quality of our products. We constantly leverage our extensive Global Research and Development network to enhance the nutritional profile of our products,” a Nestle India spokesperson said. “Compliance is an essential characteristic of Nestlé India and we will never compromise on that. We also ensure that our products manufactured in India are in full and strict compliance with CODEX standards (a commission established by WHO and FAO) and local specifications (as required) pertaining to the requirements all nutrients including added sugars.”
The company said that it is reducing added sugars as a priority for products of Nestlé India. “Over the past 5 years, we have already reduced added sugars by up to 30%, depending on the variant. We regularly review our portfolio and continue to innovate and reformulate our products to further reduce the level of added sugars, without compromising on nutrition, quality, safety, and taste,” it said.
Comments
0 comment