…NAFDAC to begin full enforcement of sugar-labelling rules in 2026
Nestlé is facing mounting public health, consumer protection and regulatory scrutiny after a major investigation revealed that its Cerelac baby cereals sold across Africa contain significant amounts of added sugar, while the same products sold in Europe are entirely sugar-free.
The report, published by Swiss watchdog Public Eye and supported in Nigeria by the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF), shows that 94 percent of Cerelac products sold in African markets contain added sugar, with some variants carrying as much as 7.5g per serving, almost two cubes of sugar. In Switzerland, Germany, and the UK, the same products come with zero added sugar.
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Nigeria, Nestlé’s biggest market in Africa, where it earns more than $55 million annually from Cerelac, was a focal point of the investigation. Laboratory tests revealed that five of eight Cerelac varieties sold in Nigeria contain added sugar, while the three sugar-free versions found on shelves were imported European products not intended for the Nigerian market.
Reacting to the findings of the report, Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, executive director of CADEF, said African babies are being fed sugar Europe would never accept, condemning the findings as a deliberate corporate choice that undermines African children.
“This is not a mistake, this is intentional. Nestlé knows that added sugar is unnecessary for babies, and they formulate sugar-free products for Europe. So why are African babies given one to two cubes of sugar per serving? This is a dangerous double standard,” Ndukwe-Okafor stated.
She said early exposure to sugar promotes obesity, diabetes, dental decay, and lifelong dependency on sweetened foods, adding that, “Consumers are clear. We want zero added sugar in baby foods. There is absolutely no justification for added sugar when natural sugars already exist in the ingredients.”
Ndukwe-Okafor reiterated that Nigerians must define their own standards rather than rely on an outdated Codex, adding that, “Codex has admitted its standard no longer makes sense. Europe and the US don’t use it. We should not accept sugar levels they won’t give their own children. We are writing Nestlé’s global president, and many African groups are signing on. Nigerians deserve the same quality as Europeans.”
Laurent Gaberell, Public Eye’s food systems researcher, said the investigation exposed dangerously high and hidden sugar levels, adding that, “What is alarming is that Nestlé does not declare added sugar on labels. Consumers cannot know. Only laboratory testing reveals the truth.”
Gaberell also urged regulators to push for global reform, stating that, “The Codex standards used worldwide, including in Nigeria, allow up to 30 percent added sugar in infant cereals. That is outdated and not supported by scientific evidence. It must be revised urgently.”
CeliaPenny Moses-Nagbiku, a health educator, expressed deep frustration, stating, “My heart broke listening to this. Nestlé teaches one thing in its nutrition institute and does the opposite in practice. Children are becoming sugar-dependent, and from sugar, they graduate to harmful substances. Parents need products they can trust.”
She called for nationwide public nutrition education to accompany regulatory reforms.
Mr. Afolabi Solebo, general manager of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA), said the revelations raise serious public health concerns. “If investigation shows Nigerian children are getting inferior formulations, then urgent steps must be taken. We will not sweep this under the carpet. We are ready to join FCCPC and all stakeholders to protect our children. We want zero added sugar. Nothing less,” Solebo averred.
Responding to the public outcry, Dr. Ifeoma Okafor of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) said the agency exercises strict due diligence in registering infant foods. She explained that both Codex Alimentarius and Nigeria’s Industrial Standards permit sucrose, fructose, glucose syrup and honey in infant cereals, as long as added carbohydrate does not exceed 7.5g per 100 kilocalories and added sucrose does not exceed 0.9g per kilocalorie.
“Compliance is determined by Codex. Differences in formulation across regions do not automatically mean violation. Nigeria does not accept lower nutritional quality because we are a developing country,” she said.
Okafor stressed that NAFDAC conducts laboratory tests before registration and actively monitors breast-milk substitute marketing.
Udo Dan-Ufomadu, regulatory officer at NAFDAC, announced that from January next year, the agency will enforce mandatory labeling of added sugars on all pre-packaged foods. “The regulation was gazetted in 2022, and enforcement begins January. Companies are aware. We will also introduce front-of-pack labeling so consumers can easily identify high sugar, salt, and fat,” Dan-Ufomadu stated.
She added that several manufacturers have already begun registering no-added-sugar variants, signaling a shift in the market.
Meanwhile, Nestlé Nigeria is yet to respond to questions for comment on the findings as of press time.
