Nestlé's Sweet Solution: Launches zero refined sugar Cerelac amid criticism

Nestlé on Thursday put to rest allegations of added sugar in Cerelac for Indian markets as it announced the launch of variants with zero refined sugar. The cereal-based food range offered to the country will now have a total of 21 variants of which 14 would be refined sugar-free, the FMCG giant informed an exchange filing.

Out of the 14 no refined sugar variants, seven are expected to be introduced to the Indian markets by the end of November, 2024; while the other half would be available in its following weeks, the Swiss MNC notified.

"I am delighted to inform you that we have achieved our ambition of introducing CERELAC variants with no refined sugar. This initiative began three years ago and has culminated this year with the launch of the new CERELAC variants," said Suresh Narayanan, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India.


Nestlé India on Thursday reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 899 crore for the quarter ended September 30, 2024, slightly down from Rs 908 crore reported in the same period last year. This marks a decrease of nearly 1 per cent year-on-year.

The company also notified in its exchange filing that Cerelac has entered its 50th year in September, 2024.

Nestlé further reported that e-commerce delivered substantial double-digit growth, marking the highest increase in the past seven quarters and contributing 8.3 per cent to domestic sales. The growth was recorded at 38 per cent higher and was fuelled by Kitkat, Nescafe, Maggi, and Milkmaid brands, the company said.

Double standards nestled in sugary Cerelac?

Nestlé faced considerable heat earlier this year over allegations of supplying baby food, including Cerelac, to 'developing nations' that contain added sugar; as compared to their products in primary European and the UK markets that do not contain the substance.

The issue gained attention when "Public Eye," a Swiss investigative organisation, and IBFAN (International Baby Food Action Network) sent samples of the company's baby food products sold in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to a Belgian laboratory for analysis.

The Swiss FMCG major was accused of 'double standards' and Public Eye had formally requested Swiss authorities to take legal action over "unethical and unfair business practices" in low- and middle-income countries.

Shortly after this issue came to light, Nestle India’s Chairman and Managing Director, Suresh Narayanan, had asserted that Cerelac adheres to local food regulations.

However, following the controversy, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) also launched an inquiry into the sugar content in Cerelac products and sought an explanation from Nestlé over the issue.

Responding to the dispute, Chairman Suresh Narayann had said that Cerelac has about half of the permissible limits of sugar as set by FSSAI.

Nestlé dominates 20 per cent of the baby food market, valued at nearly $70 billion.