FSSAI to investigate allegations against Nestlé

Nestlé issued a statement emphasising its commitment to providing infant cereal products that meet all the necessary nutritional requirements for early childhood, including protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and iron

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will be investigating allegations of high sugar content in Nestlé’s infant cereals sold in India, prompted by a report from the Swiss investigative agency Public Eye, known for its focus on corporate misconduct. India’s food regulator plans to thoroughly analyze the findings of the report and present them to a scientific panel for further evaluation.

Public Eye, in collaboration with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), recently released the results of its investigation into various brands of infant milk and cereals offered by Nestlé across developing nations. The investigation suggests that Nestlé, a Swiss food company, has been adding sugar and honey to its primary brands, Cerelac and Nodi, sold in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

In response to these allegations, Nestlé issued a statement emphasising its commitment to providing infant cereal products that meet all the necessary nutritional requirements for early childhood, including protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and iron. The company asserts that it never compromises on the nutritional quality of its products and continually leverages its global research and development network to enhance them.

Nestlé stresses the importance of compliance and asserts that its products manufactured in India adhere to CODEX standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as well as local specifications for all nutrients, including added sugars.

Moreover, Nestlé India has made reducing added sugars a priority, having already achieved reductions of up to 30% in some variants over the past five years. The company undertakes regular reviews of its product portfolio to innovate and reformulate products, aiming to further reduce the level of added sugars without compromising on nutrition, quality, safety, or taste.

Nestlé India reaffirms its commitment to providing consumers with the best nutrition, a legacy it has upheld for over a century, pledging to maintain the highest standards of nutrition, quality, and safety in its products.