Contrary to the guidelines of international health organizations for the prevention of obesity and other diseases, Nestlé is adding sugar to the milk of babies in poorer countries.
The accusation was made this Wednesday by Public Eye.
The researchers revealed that sugar in the form of sucrose or honey was added to samples of Nido (for babies aged one year and over) and Cerelac (for children aged between six months and two years) sold in Asia, Africa and Latin America.
On the other hand, no added sugar was found in the products on the European market.
Public Eye activists criticized the "dangerous double standards" that are negatively affecting the health of children in less developed countries.
"Nestlé must stop adding sugar to all products for children under the age of three around the world," said Laurent Gaberell, Public Eye's nutrition expert, quoted by The Guardian.
Kat Lay
The researchers also revealed that Cerelac's highest sales figures are precisely in low- and middle-income countries.
By way of comparison - according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) - the number of overweight African children under the age of five has increased by almost 23% since 2000.
For example, in Senegal and South Africa, biscuit-flavored products for babies as young as six months contained 6 grams of added sugar per serving. In Nigeria, one product tested contained up to 6.8 grams;
However, in Switzerland, the same products have 0 added sugar.
A Nestlé spokesperson told The Guardian that the company always complies with the rules - especially in the "highly regulated category" of baby food.
However, he admitted that variations in recipes depended on factors such as local regulations and the availability of ingredients.
