Cerelac Controversy, Cerelac Refined Sugar, Cerelac No Refined Sugar: After a major social media uproar that took place last year, FMCG major Nestle India on Thursday announced a new Cerelac Variant with 'no refined sugar. Nestle India came under the scanner after influencer Revant Himatsingka aka Food Pharmer shared a video highlighting the instant baby food Cerelac containing added sugar that impacts infants' health. As a result, Cerelac Variant with no refined sugar has been launched by Nestle India.
Cerelac No Refined Sugar Variant
Nestle India in its announcement said that it has launched Cerelac with no refined sugar. In the company's earnings statement reported by Business Standard, CMD Suresh Narayanan said, "We have achieved our ambition of introducing Celerac variants with no refined sugar."
Narayanan further stated that the Cerelac Refined Sugar variant was in the making three years ago and culminated this year with the introduction of new Cerelac variants with no refined sugar. "The expanded Cerelac range in India will now consist of 21 variants, of which 14 variants will have no refined sugar," said Narayanan.
The report says that out of these 14 variants, 7 will be available by the end of November 2024 and the rest will be introduced in the coming weeks.
Why did Cerelac come under the scanner?
Revant Himatsingka aka Food Pharmer last took to his social media handles and shared a video slamming Nestle India. Revant Himatsingka sharing the video wrote, "CERELAC! We are a generation of humans addicted to sugar, and many of us get our first dose of added sugar as a baby. It is no surprise that babies love cerelac, since it contains added sugar!
Added sugar should be avoided given to babies below 2 years, since the foods we eat in the first 1000 days of our life shapes our long-term taste buds. If you give a baby added sugar, chances are they will crave sugar once they grow older as well! Added sugar given to babies also causes tooth decay and contributes to obesity.
I collaborated with Paediatrician, Dr. Rastogi, to create a home-made cerelac recipe, which does not have any sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavours! Instead of giving your babies market-bought cerelac, you can give your baby home-made cerelac! Share with any young parent!"