Nestlé infant milk with sugar additive not sold in Nigeria, says NAFDAC

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has said that Nestlé Nido and Cerelac brand follow-on milk formula intended for babies are not products in circulation in Nigeria.

This comes against the backdrop of media reports alleging that Nestlé, the world’s largest consumer goods company, adds sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products sold in many poorer countries, contrary to international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases.

But NAFDAC said it maintains regulatory standards for infant food products sold in the country.

A statement by NAFDAC resident media consultant, Sanya Olutayo, assured the public that the agency exercises regulatory due diligence in the registration of baby and toddler foods distributed and used in Nigeria in accordance with relevant standards.

It said: “The management of NAFDAC wishes to use this medium to assure the public that the agency exercises regulatory due diligence in the registration of baby and young child foods distributed and used in Nigeria in accordance with the relevant international food standards of the Codex Alimentarius ( Codex). and more specifically, the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).

“This is applicable to all categories of baby and toddler food distributed by baby and toddler food manufacturers, importers and marketers operating in Nigeria.

“Adequate and 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 (CAC) 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 trade in food.

“Nigeria (NAFDAC) is an active participant in this area of ​​international food standards setting to contribute to Nigeria’s positions during the development of food standards.

“With regard to the mention of Nido complementary 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 agency further said that the Nestlé Cerelac range of infant cereals distributed in Nigeria is duly registered with NAFDAC in accordance with the Nigerian Industrial Standard for Foods for Babies and Young Children – Processed Cereal-Based Foods (NIS 256:2010).

This, he said, is in addition to 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 NAFDAC regulations. applicable for compliance with safety, quality and labeling requirements.

The scope of application of the standards covers foods prepared from cereals intended for feeding of infants as complementary food from six months of age.

“It is important to mention that these national and international food standards for processed cereal-based foods for babies and young children allow the addition of sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrup or honey to cereal products.

“These are or should be prepared for consumption with milk or other appropriate nutritional liquids, provided that the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources does not exceed the declared levels of 1.8 g/100 kJ (7.5 g/100 kcal) ; and specifically the maximum level of added fructose will not exceed 0.9 g/100 kJ (3.75 g/100 kcal).

“For cereals with an added protein-rich food that are or should be prepared for consumption with water or other appropriate protein-free liquid, carbohydrates (whether sucrose, fructose, glucose, glucose syrup or honey) are added whenever the amount of added carbohydrates from these sources will not exceed 1.2 g/100 kJ (5 g/100 kcal); and specifically the maximum level of added fructose will not exceed 0.6 g/100 kJ (2.5 g/100 kcal).

“It is important to note that carbohydrates are made up of basic sugar components and can be classified according to the number of sugar units that are combined in their molecule. “Glucose, fructose and galactose are examples of unitary sugars, also known as monosaccharides,” the agency noted.

He described double-unit sugars as disaccharides, among which the best known are sucrose (table sugar) and lactose (milk sugar).

Foods for babies and young children, he said, are strictly regulated by NAFDAC in recognition of the vulnerability of the target population.

It added that measures are in place to monitor and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and national regulations – Marketing of Foods for Infants and Young Children and other Designated Products.

“The management of NAFDAC wishes to assure the public that the agency fully undertakes its responsibilities to ensure the safety, healthiness and quality of baby and young child foods offered for sale in Nigeria in accordance with relevant rules and regulations,” NAFDAC said.

Onyebuchi Ezigbo

Follow us: