FSSAI sets sights on Nestle Cerelac's sugar levels

A popular cereals brand for infants in India, Cerelac has been found to contain high levels of sugar. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) released a notification that stated: “Nestle has been alleged to add 2.7 grams of sugar per serving of Nestle Cerelac baby cereals sold in India while refraining from such practices in other countries such as Germany, Switzerland, France and the UK.”

FSSAI is reviewing and checking for all brands selling baby food and infant formula milk, intending to assess adherence to established regulations. Those found violating the amended regulations will face stringent actions.

Also, FSSAI’s scientific committee is looking closely at the product containment, followed by the concerns raised by the Union Consumer Affairs Ministry. It is expected that it will present a report within a month.

The Swiss giant Nestle’s Cerelac category will witness a drop in its packaging. The product remains under scrutiny to be considered fit for the health of babies of six- to 24-months age group.

As per World Health Organization rules, infants should not consume sugar, which poses the risk of long-term health problems such as diabetes, tooth decay and other chronic diseases.