Nestlé
In response to the reports, Nestlé India said that during the last five years, the company has lowered the amount of added sugar by up to 30% throughout its line of baby cereals.
The multinational consumer goods behemoth Nestlé is enmeshed in controversy once more, this time regarding the amount of sugar in its infant food products that are marketed in India. Nestlé’s infant food brands in a number of countries, including India, include significant amounts of added sugar and honey, according to a recent research by the Swiss investigative group Public Eye. International guidelines designed to avoid obesity and chronic diseases—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—contradict this finding.
Sugar Controversy
The Cerelac and Nodi brands were the focus of Public Eye’s investigation, which looked at 115 items offered in Nestlé’s primary markets in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The results showed that whereas comparable goods in developing countries were sugar-free, every baby cereal product tested in India had around 3 grams of added sugar per serving. This disparity draws attention to important variations between Nestlé’s marketing approaches in middle-class and low-income nations.
In response to the reports, Nestlé India said that during the previous five years, the company had lowered the amount of added sugar by up to 30% throughout its line of baby cereals. According to the corporation, it is working to increase the nutritional value of its products.
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Past Issues and Controversies
Nestlé encountered criticism in 2021 after an internal presentation revealed that a substantial section of their popular food and beverage lineup did not adhere to accepted health standards. With the exception of pet food, infant formula, and coffee, the corporation admitted that 60% of their food and drink range did not fulfill health standards.
Over the past seven years, Nestlé has pledged to update its nutrition and health strategy, with the goal of reducing the amount of sugar and sodium in its products by at least 14–15%.
Maggi Ban
In 2015, the company faced another significant setback in India when around 38,000 tonnes of Maggi Noodles were taken off store shelves and destroyed due to excessive levels of lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG) discovered during a routine inspection.
Allegations Of Child Labour
In 2021, Nestlé was accused of using child labor as a slave on cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast, among other serious charges. The corporation was sued by eight former accused child slaves for allegedly participating in the unlawful enslavement of minors on these farms.
Environmental Impact
Concerns over Nestlé’s environmental effects have also been voiced by critics, mainly in relation to the company’s use of plastic packaging and its role in plastic pollution. The corporation has promised to design over 95% of its plastic packaging for recycling by 2025, yet accusations regarding the incineration of plastic trash and the ensuing harm of the environment have surfaced.
Nestlé’s activities in Pakistan have come under fire for possible groundwater exploitation, which may have contributed to contamination and declining water levels. Water waste was discovered in forensic audits that were filed to the Pakistan Supreme Court, which led to a closer look into Nestlé’s water management procedures.
Nestlé will have to respond to public and regulatory concerns about its product quality, environmental effect, and ethical policies as it navigates these controversies.