Nestlé is selling ‘addictive’ baby food to South Africa

Swiss food giant Nestlé – that controls 20% of the baby-food market – has been found out for selling sugary baby-food products to South Africa.

These infant milk and cereal products are advertised as having no added sugar.

Public Eye, an investigative organisation based in Switzerland, conducted a study that analysed samples of Nestlé baby-food products from Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Results from a Belgian laboratory showed alarming levels of sugar in baby formula in countries such as the Philippines, South Africa and Thailand, writes The Conversation.

These products were compared to versions sold in Switzerland, Germany, France, and the UK – which had no added sugar.

Nestlé’s popular biscuit-flavoured cereals for infants over six months – sold in South Africa – were found to contain 6g of added sugar. The same product in Switzerland, Nestlé’s home country, contains no added sugar.

Nestlé also promotes its Cerelac wheat cereal as a nutrient-rich option for infants, yet all Cerelac variants sold in South Africa have high levels of added sugar.

The dangers of excessive sugar in baby food

Obesity rates among children are rising in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in Africa.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has advocated for a ban on added sugar in products aimed at babies and young children under three years old.

According to public health academic Susan Goldstein, adding sugar makes baby foods more tasty and, some argue, addictive. This is similar to the effects of added salt and fat.

Children under two should avoid consuming any added sugar, as studies show it can lead to a preference for sweet foods.

This can increase the risk of obesity and related health issues such as diabetes, cancer and joint problems, and cardiovascular diseases later in life.

These extra sugars, fats and salt are especially harmful to babies, who are still building their bodies. Children eat small amounts of food at this stage, and the food they eat should be high in nutrients.

Why do multinationals target low-income countries?

Companies like Nestlé often influence public health policies through lobbying and financial contributions to political parties.

This gives politicians an incentive to align decisions with commercial agendas.

Policymakers in low- and middle-income countries are often forced to balance economic growth opportunities with potential health risks from the same commercial forces.

Regulations in high-income countries

High-income countries, on the other hand, typically have stringent guidelines for baby foods. The EU directive on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods is one example.

The Swiss Nutrition Policy also sets out clear guidelines on healthy eating and advertising aimed at young children.

Nestlé’s baby-food market share is valued at nearly US$70 billion. Over and above health concerns, the global food system is also under scrutiny for the humane treatment of animals, genetically modified foods and social and environmental justice.