Swiss food firm’s infant formula and cereal sold in global south ignore WHO anti-obesity guidelines for Europe, says Public Eye

Swiss food firm’s infant formula and cereal sold in global south ignore WHO anti-obesity guidelines for Europe, says Public Eye

Nestlé, the world’s largest consumer goods company, adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries, contrary to international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases, a report has found.

Campaigners from Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organisation, sent samples of the Swiss multinational’s baby-food products sold in Asia, Africa and Latin America to a Belgian laboratory for testing.

The results, and examination of product packaging, revealed added sugar in the form of sucrose or honey in samples of Nido, a follow-up milk formula brand intended for use for infants aged one and above, and Cerelac, a cereal aimed at children aged between six months and two years.

In Nestlé’s main European markets, including the UK, there is no added sugar in formulas for young children. While some cereals aimed at older toddlers contain added sugar, there is none in products targeted at babies between six months and one year.

  • @Ensign_CrabEnglish
    45•7 months ago

    Sugar and honey? Aren’t you not supposed to give honey to infants?

    • @QualifiedKittenEnglish
      33•7 months ago

      added sugar in the form of sucrose or honey in samples of Nido, a follow-up milk formula brand intended for use for infants aged one and above,

      I hate that it sounds as if I’m defending them, but the only specific mention of honey does say it was in a product targeted at children over 1 year old. I believe the recommendation I’ve heard is that honey is dangerous for children under 1 year old. But fuck, if unsweetened products are good enough for infants in wealthy countries, WTF are they doing adding it to products aimed at infants in poorer countries??

      • @Passerby6497English
        41•7 months ago

        if unsweetened products are good enough for infants in wealthy countries, WTF are they doing adding it to products aimed at infants in poorer countries??

        Getting their customers addicted early.

    • FiveMacsEnglish
      33•7 months ago

      They don’t care, it’s about forming that early addiction to sugar. Thats all they want. More sugar consumption and addiction.

      • @[email protected]English
        27•7 months ago

        It’s not the immune system, but rather their stomachs are not acidic enough to neutralize the bacteria.

        They could still heat the honey enough in an industrial setting (beyond just pasteurization) to kill the bacteria as well, so I doubt that’s a real concern.

    • Toes♀English
      12•7 months ago

      You aren’t because it can contain harmful stuff but I suspect it’s so ultra processed by this stage it won’t matter.