Nestle Accused of Endangering Infant Health Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America

Updated by Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 1309 EAT on Tuesday 18 November 2025

Swiss food giant Nestlé is facing criticism for adding sugar to baby food sold in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, even as it has removed sugar from the same products in European markets, according to a report by Swiss NGO Public Eye.

The report, released Tuesday and titled How Nestlé Gets Children Hooked on Sugar in Lower-Income Countries, alleges that the company is “putting the health of babies at risk for profit.” It draws on research carried out in collaboration with the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN).

The investigation found that 93 percent of Nestlé baby food products in these regions contained added sugar, though the amounts varied by market. Cerelac baby cereal sold in Thailand contained six grams of sugar per serving — about 1.5 sugar cubes. In Ethiopia, the same product had 5.2 grams of added sugar per serving, while in Pakistan it contained 2.7 grams. In contrast, Cerelac sold in Switzerland and other major European markets, including Germany and the United Kingdom, contains no added sugar.

The World Health Organization advises that foods for children under three should contain “no added sugars or sweetening agents,” warning that early exposure to sugar can foster lifelong preferences for sweet products and increase the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases.

Nestlé controls roughly 20 percent of the global baby food market, which has annual sales approaching $70 billion. According to Public Eye, the company advertises its products aggressively in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, portraying them as essential for children’s healthy development.

The report raises questions about the ethics of marketing strategies that may prioritize profit over health in lower-income countries, contrasting sharply with Nestlé’s sugar-free formulations in European markets.

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