For decades, Cerelac has been the default first food in Pakistani households, the yellow box many of us grew up on and the one countless parents still reach for when introducing solids to babies from six months. Convenient, fortified, and widely recommended, it has long been viewed as the safe, modern choice. I'll be very honest, I loved its taste and would eat it while feeding my younger cousins. My mother never bought it for my little sisters because Nestlé was on her boycott list since 2007 (another story for another time).
Over the past couple of years, however, that confidence has been challenged, not because Cerelac was found to be unsafe, but because parents began asking an important question: Do we really know everything that's in our baby's food?
The Sugar Question
In April 2024, the Swiss watchdog Public Eye and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) published laboratory analyses of 115 Cerelac and Nido products sold across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
One finding drew particular attention in Pakistan. According to the investigation, a Cerelac variant marketed for babies from six months of age contained approximately 2.7 grams of added sugar per serving (25g), despite the report stating that the added sugar was not declared on the Pakistani packaging that was tested. The same product sold in countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany reportedly contained no added sugar.
This was more than a labelling debate.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended since 2022 that foods marketed for children under three years of age should contain no added sugar, as early exposure may increase children's preference for sweet foods and contribute to long-term risks such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Research cited alongside the investigation also suggested that reducing sugar exposure during infancy was associated with roughly a one-third reduction in the later risk of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and many other metabolic diseases.
For a deeper look at why sugar in baby's diet matters and how to navigate family pressure around it, read our guide: How Pakistani Mothers Can Avoid Sugar in Baby's Diet Without Upsetting Elders.
Nestlé's Response
Nestlé has disputed claims that the findings represent a double standard.
The company has stated that its products comply with Codex Alimentarius, the internationally recognized food standards developed jointly by the WHO and FAO, in every country where they are sold. Nestlé has also said it has been progressively reducing added sugar across its infant cereal portfolio and expanding products with no added sugar. In India, where similar concerns were raised, the company reported reducing Cerelac's sugar content by approximately 30% over the previous five years.
For many parents, however, the issue extends beyond regulatory compliance. The central question is whether ingredient information is presented clearly enough for families to make informed decisions.
Why This Resonated with Pakistani Parents
Cerelac has never simply been another baby cereal in Pakistan. For many families, it is the first packaged food a baby ever eats. Many middle-class Pakistanis take pride in "my granddaughter eats Cerelac."
Because of that reputation, many parents assumed the product reflected the latest nutritional recommendations. Learning that added sugar may have been present in products intended for six-month-olds, and that this wasn't clearly communicated on the packaging tested, prompted many mothers to question not only one brand, but packaged baby foods more broadly.
Rather than rejecting baby cereals altogether, parents began doing something much more valuable: reading ingredient labels, comparing products, and asking whether convenience should ever come at the expense of transparency. For a guide on what to actually look for, read Best Baby Cereal in Pakistan: What to Look For & Why Organic Wins.
A Different Direction: Why Brands Like Momsa Exist
This growing demand for transparency has also created space for newer Pakistani baby food brands built around a different philosophy. Instead of relying on highly processed formulations or added sweeteners, these brands focus on simple, recognizable ingredients that parents can easily identify and understand.
Momsa is one example. Founded by a Pakistani mother and medical researcher, Momsa was created with a simple belief: parents should never have to guess what they're feeding their babies. Every ingredient is clearly listed on the packaging, with no hidden additives or unnecessary complexity.
Our cereals, including NutriBarley - Organic Baby Talbina Cereal and NutriNuts - Organic Nut & Grain Baby Cereal, contain:
- No added sugar
- No preservatives
- Whole grains and traditional ingredients
- Small-batch production for better quality control
- Clear, transparent ingredient labelling
The goal isn't to suggest that one packaged cereal should replace another, nor that packaged foods should replace fresh family meals. Rather, it's to provide parents with an option that prioritises ingredient transparency alongside convenience.
What This Means for Parents
The Cerelac investigation isn't a reason to panic if your baby has eaten the product. An occasional serving does not determine a child's long-term health, and no single food defines a balanced diet.
Instead, the controversy serves as a reminder that parents should feel empowered to ask questions about every baby food they buy. A few practical habits can help:
- Check specifically for added sugar or ingredients such as sucrose, rather than relying only on the total sugar value.
- Compare ingredient lists across different brands; formulations often vary more than the packaging suggests.
- Remember that terms such as "fortified," "nutritious," or "recommended by paediatricians" are not the same as "contains no added sugar."
- Choose products with short, recognizable ingredient lists whenever possible.
- Combine packaged cereals with a varied diet that includes homemade foods appropriate for your baby's age.
For a full guide to what your baby actually needs nutritionally at this stage, read Iron Rich Foods for Babies: Full List & Why It Matters and Baby Cereal 101: A Comprehensive Guide for New Parents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cerelac unsafe for my baby? No evidence from the investigation suggested that Cerelac posed an immediate safety risk. The concern centred on the presence of added sugar in products marketed to young infants and whether that information was communicated transparently to parents.
Has Nestlé changed its recipe? Nestlé says it is reducing added sugar across its infant cereal range and expanding no-added-sugar options globally. Product formulations may change over time, so parents should always check the latest packaging rather than relying solely on older reports.
Should I avoid baby cereals altogether? Not necessarily. Plain, unsweetened baby cereals can still form part of a healthy complementary feeding plan. The discussion is not about cereals themselves but about choosing products with transparent ingredient lists and avoiding unnecessary added sugar during infancy. There will always be days when we genuinely need the support, sick days, travelling, needing a breather.
What should I look for on the label instead? Look for a short ingredient list where you recognise every item. Avoid anything listing sucrose, maltose, dextrose, glucose syrup, or "sugar" in any form. Whole grains should be the first ingredient. If you can't picture an ingredient in your own kitchen, ask why it's there.
Are there Pakistani baby cereal alternatives with no added sugar? Yes. Momsa's NutriBarley and NutriNuts are made in Pakistan with no added sugar, no preservatives, and clearly listed whole-food ingredients.
The Bigger Shift
Perhaps the most important lesson from the Cerelac controversy isn't about one brand at all. It's about transparency.
Parents should never have to rely on investigative reports to understand what is inside a product marketed for their six-month-old. Whether you choose homemade meals or packaged cereals, you deserve clear labels, honest ingredient lists, and enough information to make informed decisions with confidence.
As Pakistani parents become more informed and ask tougher questions about nutrition, the baby food industry is beginning to respond. That shift toward greater transparency, accountability, and informed choice may ultimately be the healthiest outcome of all.
Sources: Public Eye & IBFAN investigation (2024); World Health Organization recommendations on complementary feeding (2022); TIME; NBC News; The Business Standard; Nestlé public statements.
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