By Ezra Ukanwa, Abuja

A coalition of health advocacy groups is calling for a nationwide ban on sugar in baby formula and clear nutrition labels to guide parents in making informed choices for their children.

The coalition, under the auspices of National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR) argues that sugar in baby formula can contribute to childhood obesity and other health issues.

They added that in Nigeria, 29 per cent of deaths are caused by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), stating that countries like Nigeria still face a double burden of malnutrition, with undernutrition and obesity often existing side by side.

A statement signed by the Coalition’s spokesperson, Omei Bongos-Ikwue, stated that the call was following a recent investigative report by a United Kingdom, UK, newspaper, the Guardian, revealing that a notable consumer goods company, is adding sugars into baby formula and cereals placed in African markets.

They noted that the report further disclosed that a notable brand variety sold in Nigeria contains up to 6.8g of sugar per serving.

This, according to them, is in contrast to the varieties sold in Europe, including the UK, where baby formulas contain no added sugar at all.

However, the World Health Organisation, WHO, had described this move as “double standard.”

In light of this report, the NASR, in an open letter, demanded for: “Ensure that infant formula and cereal distributed in Nigeria contain no added sugar.

“Ensure the introduction of mandatory, clear warning labels to inform consumers of how much sugar, nutrients, and other agents are contained in all sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and ultra-processed food products in Nigeria.

“Ensure the increase in the sugar-sweetened beverage tax in line with global health recommendations and best practices to reduce consumption of harmful food products, and ensure that SSB tax revenue is invested in public health, especially the prevention and treatment of people living with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes.

“The NASR is asking the Nigerian government to immediately strengthen regulations in line with these demands.”

Also, Program Manager at Project Pink Blue — a cancer advocacy organization, and member of NASR said: “Endangering the lives of children and exposing them to life-threatening illnesses is profiteering and criminal. Having different standards for producing baby formula for different populations is deceptive and discriminatory.

“The lives of children all over the world matter, and it’s our collective responsibility to protect them from diseases and situations that could negatively alter their lives now or in the future. No wonder an increasing number of children develop diabetes and cancer earlier in life.”