19/11/2025
An investigation conducted by Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) has exposed a deeply troubling double standard: Nestlé’s baby-food products sold in several African countries, including Namibia, contain high levels of added sugar, while identical products sold in European markets—such as Switzerland, where Nestlé is headquartered—contain no added sugar at all.
Nestlé’s leading baby-food brands are promoted as nutritious and essential for healthy growth and development. However, the inclusion of high amounts of added sugar in foods intended for infants and young children is harmful, misleading, and potentially addictive, and contributes to long-term health risks. This issue is especially alarming for Namibia, where sugar-related health conditions, including obesity and diabetes, are steadily increasing.
Why immediate action is necessary?
Recent data from the Ministry of Health and Social Services reveals that:
•122 children under the age of five in Namibia have been diagnosed with diabetes, and
•377 children between the ages of 5 and 17 are living with this life-threatening condition.
These figures are deeply concerning and highlight the urgent need to protect children from unhealthy and deceptive food products. Namibia faces a double burden of malnutrition: under-nutrition and over-nutrition, both of which pose serious threats to child health.
As bad as this sad reality is, we can take action, for the health and wellbeing of our children and for future generations!
There are local alternatives and guidance here:https://cloud.nafsan.org/ChildNutrition.pdf
More on the investigation: https://www.publiceye.ch/en/topics/critical-consumption/africas-baby-food-sugar-scandal
Our appreciation goes to the Nutritionists Association of Namibia-NAN for supporting the data collection process of this valuable investigation.
Office of the Prime Minister-Namibia Unicef Namibia CSO SUN Scaling Up Nutrition Movement Nestlé Ministry of Health and Social Services-Namibia World Health Organization (WHO)
