Nestle Criticised for Adding Sugar to Baby Food in Developing Nations

Published: 18 November 2025 Tuesday . The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Swiss food giant Nestle is facing fresh criticism for allegedly adding sugar to baby food products sold in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, even as it has reduced or removed sugar from the same products in European markets. A report released on Tuesday by the Swiss-based global justice organisation Public Eye accuses the company of “putting the health of babies at risk for profit” by using sugar to boost sales in lower-income countries.

The report, titled How Nestle Gets Children Hooked on Sugar in Lower-Income Countries, was compiled in collaboration with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN). It highlights the stark contrast between Nestle’s approach to baby nutrition in wealthier regions versus emerging markets. According to the report, 93 percent of Nestle baby food products sold in African, Asian, and Latin American countries contained added sugar. The levels of sugar varied significantly across different markets, raising concerns among public health experts.

For instance, baby cereals sold under Nestle’s Cerelac brand contained six grams of sugar per serving in Thailand, roughly equivalent to 1.5 sugar cubes. In Ethiopia, the same product had 5.2 grams of added sugar, while in Pakistan, Cerelac contained 2.7 grams of sugar per serving. By contrast, the product sold in Switzerland, Germany, and the United Kingdom contains no added sugar.

Public health experts caution that exposure to sugar early in life can have long-term consequences for children. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that foods for children under the age of three should contain no added sugars or sweeteners. Early introduction of sugar can condition babies to prefer sweet-tasting foods, increasing the likelihood of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses later in life.

The Public Eye report suggests that Nestle’s business strategy in emerging markets prioritises profit over child health, a claim the company has faced in various global controversies over decades. By contrast, in high-income European markets, the company has removed or limited sugar in baby food products, aligning with stricter nutritional guidelines and consumer expectations.

The investigation highlights a wider concern about multinational food companies targeting children in lower-income countries with products high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Critics argue that these practices contribute to the rising incidence of childhood obesity and related health issues in regions already struggling with malnutrition and limited access to healthcare.

Public Eye’s report comes amid growing scrutiny of the baby food industry globally. Previous studies have raised concerns about aggressive marketing strategies that encourage parents to buy processed products over breastfeeding or locally sourced alternatives. The combination of added sugar and targeted marketing in lower-income countries, the report argues, reflects a “double standard” in corporate responsibility.

Nestle, which markets itself as a provider of nutritional solutions for infants and children, has previously defended its practices by pointing to compliance with local regulations and guidelines. However, critics argue that regulatory compliance alone is insufficient to guarantee that products are safe or healthy, particularly when international standards such as those recommended by the WHO advise against added sugars in young children’s diets.

The implications of the report extend beyond nutrition. By highlighting disparities in how multinational corporations approach product formulation in different markets, it underscores broader ethical questions about corporate responsibility, health equity, and the role of profit in public health decisions.

With childhood obesity rates on the rise worldwide, public health advocates are urging governments and international bodies to adopt stricter regulations on sugar content in baby foods and to hold corporations accountable for marketing practices that may endanger children. Advocacy groups are calling for Nestle and other multinational producers to align the nutritional quality of their products globally, ensuring that children everywhere have access to safe, sugar-free options.

As the debate continues, Nestle faces increasing pressure to respond to these accusations. Whether the company adjusts its approach in Africa, Asia, and Latin America remains to be seen, but the Public Eye report has already intensified calls for transparency and accountability in the infant food industry.