NAFDAC, Nigeria’s food and drug regulatory agency, has announced that certain infant formulas by Nestle, which allegedly contain sugar and honey, are not registered or sold in Nigeria.
This statement comes in response to findings by Swiss investigative organization Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network, which claimed that two popular baby food brands marketed by Nestle in low- and middle-income countries contain high levels of added sugar.
In contrast, the same products sold in Switzerland and other European markets do not contain added sugar. The investigation analyzed around 150 products sold by Nestle in lower-income countries and found that many Cerelac infant cereals and Nido powdered milk products contain added sugar, with some products containing as much as 7.3 grams per serving.
NAFDAC, in a statement titled ‘Nestle adds sugar to infant milk sold in poorer countries: NAFDAC’s response,’ however, noted that the agency exercises due regulatory diligence in the registration of infant and young children foods distributed and used in Nigeria in line with relevant Codex Alimentarius international food standards, and more specifically, Nigerian Industrial Standards.
“This applies to all categories of infant and young children foods distributed by manufacturers, importers, and marketers of infant and young children foods operating within Nigeria.
“Adequate, optimal nutrition during infancy and early childhood is essential to ensure the growth, health, and development of children to their full potential.
“The Codex Alimentarius Commission implements the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme, developing international food standards, guidelines, and codes of practice with the mandate to protect the health of consumers and ensure fair international food trade. Nigeria (NAFDAC) is an active participant in these international food standards-setting arenas to contribute to Nigeria’s positions during food standards development.
“Regarding the mention of Nido follow-up milk formula in the publication, NAFDAC wishes to state that the product is not registered in Nigeria, is not known to the agency, and is not in circulation in Nigeria,” the statement read in part.
It also said the range of Nestle Cerelac infant cereals distributed in Nigeria are duly registered with NAFDAC in line with the NIS for Foods for Infants and Young Children – Processed Cereal Based foods (NIS 256:2010) and the Codex Standard for Processed Cereal-based Foods for Infants and Young Children (CXS 74-1981 adopted in 1981, revised in 2006, amended in 2017, 2019, and 2023), as well as the applicable NAFDAC regulations for compliance with safety, quality, and labeling requirements.
The agency said the scope of the standards covers processed cereal-based foods intended for feeding infants as complementary food from the age of six months.
It mentioned that the national and international food standards for processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children permit the addition of sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrup, or honey to products consisting of cereals that are or have to be prepared for consumption with milk or other appropriate nutritious liquids provided the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources shall not exceed the stated levels of 1.8 g/100 kJ (7.5 g/100 kcal); and specifically the maximum level of added fructose shall not exceed 0.9g/100kJ (3.75g/100kcal).
“It is important to note that carbohydrates are made of building blocks of sugars and can be classified according to how many sugar units are combined in their molecule. Glucose, fructose, and galactose are examples of single-unit sugars, also known as monosaccharides. Double-unit sugars are called disaccharides, among which sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar) are the most widely known.
Infant and young children’s foods are strictly regulated by NAFDAC in recognition of the vulnerability of the target population and measures are in place to monitor and enforce compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and the national regulations Marketing of Infant and Young Children Food and other Designated Products (Registration, Sales, etc.) Regulations,” it noted.