top of page
Search

CERELAC IS NOT SAFE

  • Writer: Madhukar Dama
    Madhukar Dama
  • 5 days ago
  • 6 min read


Misleading claims, hidden ingredients, low quality contents, serious diseases for children, deceptive marketing & brazenly breaking guidelines. Cerelac has many issues.
Misleading claims, hidden ingredients, low quality contents, serious diseases for children, deceptive marketing & brazenly breaking guidelines. Cerelac has many issues.

KEY POINTS

- There are no specific studies directly linking Cerelac to negative health effects in children, but research suggests potential risks due to its added sugar content.

- Cerelac contains nearly 3 grams of added sugar per serving in India, which may contribute to obesity, tooth decay, and chronic diseases, based on general studies.

- The evidence leans toward concerns about added sugar, with controversy around higher sugar in Cerelac sold in lower-income countries compared to sugar-free versions in Europe.

 

DIRECT ANSWER

OVERVIEW

Cerelac, a popular baby cereal by Nestlé, has raised concerns due to its added sugar content, especially in countries like India. While there are no studies directly showing negative health effects from Cerelac itself, the presence of added sugar suggests potential risks based on broader research.

 

HEALTH CONCERNS

Research suggests that added sugar in baby food, like the nearly 3 grams per serving in Indian Cerelac, may lead to health issues such as obesity, tooth decay, and increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes later in life. These findings come from general studies on sugar intake, not Cerelac specifically.

 

UNEXPECTED DETAIL : Global Disparity

It’s notable that Cerelac sold in Europe is sugar-free, while versions in lower-income countries like India have added sugar, sparking controversy and investigations by Indian authorities.

 

RECOMMENDATIONs

Given these concerns, it seems likely that parents should be cautious and consult a pediatrician for advice on baby food choices, especially considering ongoing regulatory scrutiny in India.

 

---

 

SURVEY NOTE: DETAILED ANALYSIS OF CERELAC AND HEALTH EFFECTS

 

This section provides a comprehensive analysis of the available information on Cerelac and its potential health effects on children, particularly in the Indian context, based on extensive research up to March 29, 2025. It includes all relevant details from the inquiry, organized for clarity and depth, mimicking a professional article.

 

 BACKGROUND ON CERELAC

Cerelac is a brand of instant cereal by Nestlé, marketed for infants aged 6-24 months as a supplement to breast milk or formula. It is widely sold in countries like India, where it has become a staple baby food. The product’s ingredients vary by region, with a notable difference being the inclusion of added sugar in lower-income markets, averaging nearly 3 grams per serving in India, as reported by Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) in 2024.

 

SEARCH FOR SPECIFIC STUDIES

Extensive searches were conducted to identify scientific studies directly linking Cerelac to negative health effects in children. Searches included queries like “studies on Cerelac and health effects,” “health effects of Cerelac,” and “Cerelac and health issues in India,” focusing on academic databases and news reports. No studies were found that specifically examined Cerelac and its direct impact on children’s health. This lack of direct research is notable, given Cerelac’s global sales exceeding US$1 billion in 2022, with significant markets in India and Brazil.

 

GENERAL STUDIES ON ADDED SUGAR IN BABY FOOD

Since Cerelac contains added sugar, general studies on the effects of added sugar in baby food were reviewed to infer potential risks. These studies suggest that early exposure to added sugar can lead to several health issues:

 

- Obesity and Chronic Diseases: A study titled “Factors Associated with the Initiation of Added Sugar among Low-Income Young Children” found that added sugar intake in early childhood is associated with increased risks of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and elevated blood pressure. The study noted that consumption rises rapidly from infancy to age 2, with common sources including baby food snacks and sweetened cereals.

 

- Tooth Decay: The European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry, as cited in a 2024 article, confirmed a direct correlation between dietary sugar intake and carious disease, particularly in infants exposed to added sugars.

 

- Long-Term Health Impacts: Another study, “Frequency of Use of Added Sugar, Salt, and Fat in Infant Foods up to 10 Months in the Nationwide ELFE Cohort Study,” highlighted that early sugar consumption may influence later health outcomes, including growth and obesity, especially when introduced before 4 months.

 

These studies, while not mentioning Cerelac specifically, are relevant given its added sugar content, particularly in India, where it averages 2.7-3 grams per serving, as per Public Eye’s 2024 report.

 

REPORTS AND CONTROVERSIES

Several reports and articles have raised concerns about Cerelac’s health implications, particularly in India:

 

- Public Eye’s 2024 report, “How Nestle gets children hooked on sugar in lower-income countries,” found that all 15 Cerelac variants in India contain added sugar, contrasting with sugar-free versions in Europe. This report highlighted potential long-term health risks like obesity and diabetes, aligning with WHO guidelines against added sugar in baby food.

 

- An article in The Times of India, “Indian variant of Nestle's Cerelac crosses recommended sugar limit: Health issues it can cause in kids,” noted that the sugar content (2.7 grams per serving) could lead to obesity and other health issues, based on expert opinions and WHO recommendations.

 

- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) initiated sampling of Cerelac in April 2024 to investigate sugar content, following consumer and regulatory concerns, but no study results were available by March 29, 2025.

 

INGREDIENTS AND POTENTIAL RISKS

Cerelac’s ingredients, such as sucrose (sugar), palm olein, and maltodextrin, were examined for potential health effects:

 

- Sucrose: As discussed, added sugar is linked to obesity and tooth decay in general studies. A 2020 blog post, “The Harmful Effects of Sugar on our Babies and Toddlers,” detailed risks like nutrient displacement and long-term chronic disease risk.

 

- Palm Olein: A 2018 study, “Pediatric Age Palm Oil Consumption,” found that palm oil, high in saturated fats, may pose cardiovascular risks when consumed in excess, though no direct evidence was found for infants. Another report, “Palm oil in baby milk? Let’s talk about the effects,” suggested potential calcium absorption issues, but these are not specific to Cerelac.

 

- Other ingredients like maltodextrin and traces of gluten were not linked to significant health issues in the reviewed literature, though gluten may pose risks for children with celiac disease, which is rare.

 

ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION

Anecdotal reports, such as forum discussions on Quora and Practo, mentioned digestive issues like constipation with Cerelac, but these are not backed by scientific studies. A 2015 blog post, “Why I Have a Problem with Nestle’s Cerelac,” expressed concerns about sugar leading to health issues, but again, these are opinions, not research.

 

SUMMARY OF RELEVANT STUDIES AND REPORTS

The following text summarizes the key findings from relevant studies and reports:

 

- A study on “Factors Associated with the Initiation of Added Sugar among Low-Income Young Children” focused on added sugar in baby food and found it linked to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, asthma, and elevated blood pressure. This applies due to Cerelac’s added sugar content.

 

- The study “Frequency of Use of Added Sugar, Salt, and Fat in Infant Foods up to 10 Months in the Nationwide ELFE Cohort Study” examined sugar use in early feeding and found that early sugar intake may affect growth and obesity. This is relevant given Cerelac’s sugar levels.

 

- “Pediatric Age Palm Oil Consumption” focused on palm oil in children’s diets and found that high saturated fats may pose cardiovascular risks in excess. Cerelac contains palm olein, but there’s no direct link.

 

- Public Eye’s 2024 report on Cerelac sugar content in India found 2.7-3 grams of added sugar per serving, violating WHO guidelines, and highlighted potential health risks.

 

- The blog post “The Harmful Effects of Sugar on Babies and Toddlers” focused on sugar in baby food and noted risks including nutrient displacement and chronic disease risk, indirectly relevant to Cerelac’s sugar content.

 

CONCLUSION

While no studies directly link Cerelac to negative health effects, the added sugar content, particularly in India, raises concerns based on general research. The controversy around Nestlé’s practices, with higher sugar in lower-income markets, underscores potential risks like obesity and tooth decay, but these are inferred, not proven for Cerelac specifically. For personalized advice, consulting a pediatrician is recommended, especially given ongoing regulatory scrutiny in India.

 

 KEY CITATIONS

- “Factors Associated with the Initiation of Added Sugar among Low-Income Young Children Participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program” - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8624134/

- “Frequency of Use of Added Sugar, Salt, and Fat in Infant Foods up to 10 Months in the Nationwide ELFE Cohort Study: Associated Infant Feeding Practices” - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6520717/

- “Pediatric Age Palm Oil Consumption” - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5923693/

- “The Harmful Effects of Sugar on our Babies and Toddlers” - https://amaraorganicfoods.com/blogs/blog/the-harmful-effects-of-sugar-on-our-babies-and-toddlers

- “Nestle adds sugar to baby food: What happens when infants eat sugar? Experts discuss 5 adverse effects” - https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/nestle-adds-sugar-to-baby-food-what-happens-when-infants-eat-sugar-experts-discuss-5-adverse-effects-101713523380956.html

- “Sugar shock: Cerelac in India flouts WHO guidelines; Nestle's double standard exposed” - https://thesouthfirst.com/health/sugar-shock-cerelac-in-india-flouts-who-guidelines-nestles-double-standard-exposed/

- “FSSAI Begins Pan-India Sampling Of Nestle's Cerelac, Completion In 15-20 Days: CEO” - https://www.ndtvprofit.com/business/fssai-begins-pan-india-sampling-of-nestles-cerelac-completion-in-15-20-days

- “Nestle adds almost 3 grams of sugar in every serving of baby food Cerelac sold in India” - https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/nestle-adds-almost-3-grams-of-sugar-in-every-serving-of-baby-food-cerelac-sold-in-india-95625

- “Is it ok to eat cerelac at the age of 26?” - https://www.mylot.com/post/1114475/is-it-ok-to-eat-cerelac-at-the-age-of-26

- “Palm oil in baby milk? Let's talk about the effects” - https://kendamil.com/blogs/blog/palm-oil-negative-effects-babymilk

 
 
Post: Blog2_Post

LIFE IS EASY

madhukar262@gmail.com

Madhukar Dama / Savitri Honnakatti, Survey Number 114, Near Yelmadagi 1, Chincholi Taluk, Kalaburgi District 585306, India

UNCOPYRIGHTED

bottom of page