The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a pan-India sampling initiative for Nestlé’s Cerelac baby cereals after increasing concerns about the alleged high sugar content in them. This move follows expressions of concern from the consumer affairs ministry and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) after a global report by Swiss NGO Public Eye.
The report claimed that Nestle had been selling baby products with higher sugar content in less developed South Asian countries, including India, Africa, and Latin American nations, compared to markets in Europe. Nestle India, however, has countered these claims, stating its commitment to compliance and highlighting a reduction of up to 30% in added sugar in baby food products over the past five years.
The CEO of FSSAI emphasized the significance of food fortification for human health, advocating for its extension beyond rice to include millets and other alternative foods. He noted the introduction of millet-based products by FMCG firms in recent years and encouraged further diversification of nutritional foods in the country.