AMN / WEB DESK
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India is examining the claim that Nestle added sugar to infant milk.
Sources said the findings will be placed before the Scientific panel. The move came following a report from a Swiss investigative organisation that claimed the Swiss multinational company added sugar to its milk formula brand for infants and children of up to two years old. According to the report, products sold in low and middle-income countries have added sugar. However, the report stated that the same products sold in rich countries do not contain added sugar.
According to the report by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organisation, Nestle added sugar in the form of sucrose or honey in samples of Nido, a follow-up milk formula brand intended for use for infants aged one and above, and Cerelac, a cereal aimed at children aged between six months and two years.
Earlier, in response to a query from Moneycontrol over Nestle’s sugar content in infant formula sold across India, Asia, and Africa, a company spokesperson said, “We regularly evaluate our portfolio and consistently innovate and reformulate our products to further diminish the level of added sugars while maintaining quality, safety, and flavor.” Presently, Nestlé’s products in India display 7 grams of sugar per 100 grams, as indicated by the nutritional label.
Following the report, Nestle India witnessed a significant drop in its stock value on April 18, with shares plunging nearly 4 percent, marking its most substantial decline in three years. At close on April 18, Nestle India shares ended down nearly 3 percent lower on the National Stock Exchange. Year-to-date, the stock has fallen by 10 percent, in stark contrast to the 2 percent increase seen in the benchmark Nifty 50 index