Nestle accused of 'risking health of babies for profit' over added sugar in cereals sold in African countries

Source: The Guardian

Nestlé accused of ’risking health of babies for profit’ over added sugar in cereals sold in African countries

Campaigners say the company is contributing to rising rates of childhood obesity, while the firm says it is helping to combat malnutrition

Kat Lay global health correspondent
Mon 17 Nov 2025 23.00 GMT
Last modified on Tue 18 Nov 2025 10.02 GMT

Nestlé is still adding sugar to most baby cereals sold across Africa, according to an investigation by campaigners who have accused the company of “putting the health of African babies at risk for profit”.

The food firm was accused of “double standards” over the researchers’ findings, which come at a time when rates of childhood obesity are rising on the continent, prompting calls for Nestlé to remove all added sugar from baby-food products.

Nestlé described the investigation, from Public Eye, a Swiss group that calls itself a global justice organisation, as “misleading”. A company spokesperson said that having cereals sweet enough to be palatable to infants was vital in combating malnutrition. The firm said their recipes were well within limits set by national regulations in the countries concerned.

Public Eye researchers worked with activists in more than 20 African countries to buy 94 samples of Cerelac products marketed for babies aged six months and above, which were sent to a laboratory for analysis.

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Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/nov/17/nestle-accused-of-risking-health-of-babies-for-profit-over-added-sugar-in-cereals-sold-in-african-countries