Swiss food giant Nestle has denied allegations made by a Swiss NGO that it adds sugar to products sold in developing countries while marketing them as sugar-free in European markets.
In a statement, Nestle refuted these claims, stating that it applies the same nutrition, health, and wellness principles worldwide, and that there is no double standard.
The accusations stemmed from a report published by Swiss NGO Public Eye, which claimed that two of Nestle’s best-selling baby food brands contained high levels of added sugar in low- and middle-income countries while being sugar-free in Switzerland.
Nestle, however, clarified that its formula for babies under 12 months of age does not contain added sugars, and that it has been gradually reducing added sugars in products for children older than one year.
Nestle emphasised that its range of cereals for infants and young children is available with and without added sugars in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Latin America, and North America.
The company further stated that it is actively working to expand its options with no added sugar and aims to make them available globally.
The report by Public Eye highlighted the discrepancy in sugar content in Nestle’s Cerelac brand of flour-based cereals for six-month-olds.
The NGO found that these cereals contained over five grams of sugar per portion in Ethiopia and six grams in Thailand, while having no added sugar in Germany or Britain.
These allegations come at a time when Nestle is already facing pressure from activist shareholders and NGOs demanding a vote on the health impact of its products. While the motion was ultimately unsuccessful, it prompted company executives to address the issue at the annual general meeting.
In addition to the accusations related to sugar content, Nestle has also faced warnings from French regulators regarding contamination of its mineral waters in France. The accumulation of negative news has led to concerns among shareholders and a decline in investor sentiment towards the company.
