Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Beloved John
Published on 2024-04-18 15:48:15
A recent report has exposed Nestle, a multinational food and beverage company, for sending sub-standard infant food products to Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries. This investigation was conducted by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organization, in collaboration with the International Baby Food Action Network, an alliance focused on improving maternal and infant health.
Published findings show that Nestle, based in Switzerland, adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in Nigeria, as well as other countries like India, Brazil, and the Philippines, despite international guidelines prohibiting such additives. Samples of Nestle’s baby food products from Asia, Africa, and Latin America were sent to Belgium for laboratory testing, which revealed the presence of added sugar, including sucrose or honey, in products like Cerelac and Nido meant for infants and children.
The report highlighted the disparity in sugar content between baby formulas sold in Europe, which are sugar-free for children 12-36 months, and those sold in lower-income countries with significant sugar content. Efforts to obtain responses from Nestle in Nigeria and the country’s food regulator, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), were unsuccessful, indicating a lack of transparency in the matter.
World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines caution against high-sugar baby foods for infants under six months to prevent obesity and chronic diseases. The nutritional disparities identified by the investigation underscore the importance of following these guidelines globally. Nestle’s practices, which include adding excessive sugar to products in low-income countries like Nigeria, have raised concerns about the health impact on children and the growing prevalence of sugar-induced diseases.
The report revealed high sugar content in Nestle’s Cerelac products in Nigeria compared to other countries, with an alarming average sugar content per serving. Despite these findings, the nutritional information on product packaging does not always disclose the added sugar content. The implications of high sugar consumption on childhood obesity and related health issues are a significant public health concern in low and middle-income countries.
Nestle’s exploitation of medical professionals and health experts to promote products that do not meet standard guidelines highlights a disregard for global health standards. The call for Nestle to align with WHO recommendations and eliminate added sugar from products for children under three worldwide is imperative to safeguard children’s health and prevent sugar-related health complications.
The investigation underscores the need for accountability in the food industry and a commitment to promoting and ensuring the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, especially children. As a prominent player in the Nigerian market, Nestle must prioritize ethical standards and adherence to global health guidelines to protect the health of infants and children in the region.
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