Nestlé faces criticism in Morocco over sugar in infant cereals
Consumer groups in Morocco have raised concerns over the sugar content of infant cereals marketed under the Cerelac brand. The dispute centers on claims that products sold locally contain added sugar while similar items in some European markets are reportedly sugar-free. The issue has triggered renewed debate over nutritional standards for baby food and corporate consistency across markets.
A national consumer federation accused the company of applying different formulations depending on the country. It stated that Cerelac products distributed in Morocco include significant levels of added sugar, while equivalent products sold in parts of Europe do not. The organization described this as a gap in nutritional policy that could expose infants to avoidable health risks during early development.
The controversy follows findings from a Swiss non-governmental organization that examined more than one hundred Cerelac products across multiple countries. The analysis reported that over 90 percent of sampled products contained added sugar. In Morocco, a typical serving was found to contain around 5.8 grams of added sugar, compared with products in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Switzerland where no added sugar was detected.
Consumer advocates also criticized labeling practices, arguing that parents are not given sufficiently clear information about sugar content. They said this lack of transparency conflicts with the product’s positioning as suitable for young children. Health guidance from international public health authorities discourages added sugar in foods for infants, warning of long term risks including early preference for sweet tastes, obesity, and metabolic disease.
The consumer federation has called on national food safety authorities to intervene and align local products with international nutritional standards. It also stressed that Cerelac holds a strong position in Morocco’s infant nutrition market, increasing the importance of clearer regulation and oversight of product composition and labeling practices.
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