Nestle India To Introduce Sugar-Free Cerelac Variants Amid Controversy (Image: Nestle.com)
Nestle India is launching refined sugar-free versions of its popular cereal-based baby food ‘Cerelac‘ by November 2024 according to CNBC TV18. This move comes after the company faced criticism for adding sugar to baby products in developing countries, including India, Africa and Latin America while avoiding this practice in primary markets like Europe and the UK.
As per the reports, the expanded Cerelac range will comprise 21 variants with 14 having no refined sugar. Also, seven of these variants will be available by November’s end and the remaining ones will follow shortly. According to Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestle India, this initiative began three years ago and culminated with the introduction of sugar-free Cerelac variants. The company aims to minimise sugar sans compromising nutrition, quality, safety and taste, he added.
Nestle India previously defended itself stating that added sugar in Cerelac was within permissible limits set by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and complied with local food regulations. The company also claimed to have reduced added sugars by 30% over the past five years. The company claims that currently, it contains 7.1 grams of added sugar per 100 grams below India’s food regulator FSSAI’s limit of 13.6 grams per 100 grams.
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Suresh Narayanan also stated that Fourteen Cerelac variants will have no refined sugar with seven launching by November 2024 as this initiative addresses health concerns surrounding excessive sugar intake in infants, including obesity and tooth problems. Cerelac has been a staple in Indian households for 50 years with the first batch manufactured in Nestle’s Moga, Punjab factory on September 15, 1975. Recently the company faced huge criticism for adding sugar to infant food and also for not adding this practice in Europe and the UK.
CERELAC! We are a generation of humans addicted to sugar, and many of us get our first dose of added sugar as a baby. It is no surprise that babies love cerelac since it contains added sugar!
Added sugar should be avoided given to babies below 2 years, since the foods we eat in… pic.twitter.com/sEmBWioSKw
— Revant Himatsingka “Food Pharmer” (@foodpharmer2) November 13, 2023
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