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.

  • @[email protected]English
    42•7 months ago

    It’s a return on investment. Sugar is addictive, and they get a competitive edge vs. less sweet formulas that are following the WHO recommendations.

    Coke is cheaper than bottled water for similar reasons. Especially in developing countries.

      • @glimseEnglish
        15•7 months ago

        Remind me how that guy/scene relates to coke? I haven’t seen that movie since it came out

        (Not arguing! I just need a refresher to get the reference)

        • XhieronEnglish
          10•7 months ago

          He meets the kids and hands them each a Coke as a way of presenting himself as friendly and generous–and it looks like a marketing money shot; I wish I could find a gif of it. Those Cokes look like ambrosia from heaven.

          And then a few scenes later he’s putting out kids’ eyes to make them more effective beggars.

          • @glimseEnglish
            5•7 months ago

            Aha! I remember now. I figured he was the kid-mutilator but completely forgot the Coke part.

            Thanks for the reminder!