Nestle Clarifies On Cereal Brand, Cerelac, Says Sugar Content Within FSSAI Limit

Nestle India, the packaged food giant, has stepped forward to address concerns regarding its infant cereal brand Cerelac, asserting that the product complies with India's food regulations. Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestle India, emphasised that Cerelac contains added sugars within permissible limits, significantly lower than those set by the local food regulator, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Narayanan highlighted Nestle's commitment to reducing added sugars in Cerelac, pointing out a notable 30% reduction over the past five years. He assured that the company will continue to strive towards further reductions, aiming to reach the bare minimum required for nutritional adequacy.

Responding to allegations from Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), Narayanan clarified that formulations for Cerelac are developed globally to meet the nutritional requirements of infants under 18 months. He stressed that there is no distinction between regions in formulating nutritional adequacy strategies, although local variations in ingredients and regulations may affect the final product.

Nestle's CMD reiterated that Cerelac's sugar content in India falls well below the maximum limit prescribed by the FSSAI, with an average of 7.1 grams per 100 grams of serving. He debunked claims of racial stereotyping, emphasising that similar products with both added and no added sugars are available in both Europe and Asia.

Furthermore, Narayanan emphasised the ongoing efforts of Nestle's research and development (R&D) teams to enhance product formulations and reduce added sugars across the Cerelac range. He expressed optimism about the future possibility of Cerelac becoming a no-added sugar product.

The statement from Nestle comes amidst growing concerns over the nutritional quality of packaged infant foods, particularly regarding added sugars. As consumers increasingly prioritise health and wellness, there is heightened scrutiny of the ingredients and nutritional content of such products.

The controversy surrounding Cerelac underscores the importance of transparency and adherence to regulatory standards in the food industry. While Nestle asserts compliance with local regulations, the debate surrounding added sugars in infant foods is likely to continue, prompting further scrutiny and demands for accountability from both regulators and manufacturers.

Nestle India's response seeks to reassure consumers about the nutritional quality and compliance of Cerelac with local regulations, while also signalling the company's commitment to ongoing improvements in product formulations. However, the broader discussion on infant nutrition and the role of added sugars in packaged foods remains a topic of public interest and debate.