Added sugar in Cerelac? Centre asks FSSAI to ‘initiate appropriate action’ against Nestle

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said in a letter that high sugar in baby products ‘raises serious concerns about the potential implications for the health and safety of children’ in India.

Nestle India had said it never compromises on compliance and it has reduced added sugar in baby food products in India by over 30 per cent depending on variants over the past five years. (Express archive)

Taking cognizance of reports on Nestle selling baby products with higher sugar content in India, the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry has asked the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to “initiate appropriate action” against the company.

In a letter to the FSSAI CEO G Kamala Vardhana Rao on April 18, Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare said, “As per the news reports, Public Eye, an investigation agency based in Switzerland has published a report highlighting concerning findings about Nestle’s manufacturing practices in India. According to the report, Nestle Company has been alleged to add 2.7g of sugar per serving to Nestle Cerelac baby cereals sold in India while refraining from such practices in other countries such as Germany, Switzerland, France &UK.”

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“It may be mentioned that high sugar in baby products raises serious concerns about the potential implications for the health and safety of children in our country. The health and well-being of our citizens, especially infants and young children, is of paramount importance, and any deviation from safety standards could lead to serious health concerns,” Khare said.

“In light of these reports, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is requested to initiate an appropriate action into the practices of Nestle Company regarding the composition of Nestle Cerelac baby cereals sold in India. Your prompt attention on this matter will be highly appreciated,” Khare said.

Harikishan Sharma

Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister’s Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More

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