Nestlé Disputes Swiss NGO’s Claims on Baby Formula Sold in Nigeria

Nestlé Nigeria Plc has rejected claims by Swiss nongovernmental organisation Public Eye, which alleged that the company sells infant cereals in Africa with higher sugar content than in developed markets.

The company said Public Eye has not provided the analysis supporting its claims, despite formal requests.

Victoria Uwadoka, Nestlé’s Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead, disclosed this on Monday during a stakeholder engagement and facility tour at the company’s Agbara factory in Ogun State. The session included representatives from the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, public health officials, and the media.

Addressing the allegations, Uwadoka stressed that Nestlé’s Cerelac products contain no added sugar, with the sugar present coming naturally from the ingredients used. She noted that the sugar levels in the products are below the limits set by the global regulatory body, the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Uwadoka said, “The report claims there are added sugars, but the sugar content in all our cereals is below Codex standards. Our products meet or exceed all regulatory requirements, whether in Africa, Asia, or elsewhere. Codex standards are designed to protect health, and Nestlé ensures compliance globally.”

She described the NGO’s report as “scientifically misleading,” arguing that it failed to account for naturally occurring sugars from grains and other ingredients. Nestlé has requested the details of Public Eye’s analysis but has yet to receive them.

Uwadoka added that Nestlé is committed to offering products with zero sugar in Nigeria without compromising nutritional standards.

Lucas Raheem, Director of Scientific Research and Development at LASCOPA, said the agency would only take action if the company breached existing regulations.

The Codex Alimentarius and Nigeria’s Industrial Standards allow the inclusion of ingredients such as sucrose, fructose, glucose syrup, and honey in infant cereals, provided total added carbohydrates do not exceed 7.5 grams per 100 kilocalories, and added sucrose remains below 0.9 grams per kilocalorie.