From Maggi to Cerelac: A look at Nestle controversies over the years

Nestle, the world's largest consumer goods company, finds itself in the middle of a controversy yet again, this time over the sugar content in its baby food products sold in India.

A study conducted by Swiss investigative organisation Public Eye claimed that Nestle's Cerelac and Nido baby products in India contain nearly 3 grams of sugar per serving.

Nestle India said that it has made an effort to reduce sugars in baby food products over the past five years.

The company claimed to have cut down on sugars by up to 30%, asserting its commitment to prioritising high-quality ingredients and nutritional standards.

"We believe in the nutritional quality of our products for early childhood and prioritise using high-quality ingredients. Over the past 5 years, Nestle India has reduced added sugars by up to 30%, depending on the variant in our infant cereals' portfolio (milk cereal-based complementary food). We regularly review our portfolio and continue to innovate and reformulate our products to further reduce levels of added sugars without compromising on quality, safety, and taste," said a Nestle India spokesperson.

However, this is not the first time that the consumer goods company has been in controversy.

High sugar content in baby food

Reports from Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) shed light on the differences in sugar content among Nestle's baby food products sold in various regions. While sugar was found in Cerelac products sold in developing countries, the European market offered sugar-free options for infant nutrition.

Public Eye's analysis showed variations in sugar content between Nestle's products marketed in low-income and middle-income countries versus those sold in Switzerland. Notably, two of Nestle's top-selling baby-food brands in developing nations contained high levels of added sugar, contrasting with sugar-free offerings in Switzerland.

Unhealthy food portfolio

In 2021, Nestle faced backlash following the revelation of an internal presentation indicating that a considerable portion of its mainstream food and beverage range did not meet recognised health standards. The company acknowledged that 60% of its food and drinks portfolio, excluding pet food, baby formula, and coffee, failed to meet health criteria.

Nestle pledged to update its nutrition and health strategy and review its entire product lineup to align with nutritional requirements. The company claimed to have reduced sodium and sugar content in its products by at least 14-15% over the past seven years.

Maggi noodles ban

One of Nestle India's most infamous controversies arose from the ban on its popular Maggi noodles in 2015. Following the discovery of excess lead and monosodium glutamate (MSG), approximately 38,000 tonnes of Maggi noodles were withdrawn and destroyed, severely impacting Nestle India's market share and revenue.

The ban was enforced after a food inspector in Uttar Pradesh found discrepancies in Maggi's labelling claims and subsequent laboratory tests confirmed the presence of MSG and lead. The incident led to a nationwide recall and regulatory actions by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Nestle's past allegations of discouraging breastfeeding

Nestle faced criticism in the United States in 1977 for allegedly discouraging breastfeeding to promote its baby formula. This controversy sparked a boycott of Nestle products in the US and later extended to Europe. The boycott persisted until 1984 when Nestle agreed to adhere to an international marketing code endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Allegation of child labour

In 2021, Nestle faced legal challenges over allegations of child labour in cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast, as per a report by Utopia.org.. While former alleged child slaves sued the company, a US District Court dismissed the case in 2022 due to a lack of evidence linking Nestle to specific plantations.

Environmental concerns around Nestle's practices

Nestle's packaging practices contributed to plastic pollution concerns, with critics raising questions about the company's approach to plastic waste management, reported Utopia.org. Despite its pledge to design over 95% of its plastic packaging for recycling by 2025, allegations surfaced regarding the incineration of plastic waste, leading to environmental pollution.

Accusations of groundwater exploitation emerged in Pakistan, where Nestle's operations allegedly contributed to sinking water levels and contamination. Forensic audits submitted to the Pakistan Supreme Court revealed water wastage, prompting scrutiny over Nestle's water management practices.