The company is now in damage control mode and is looking to update its health and nutrition strategy
A recent report stated that over 60 per cent of Nestle’s food portfolio is ‘unhealthy’. The company is now in damage control mode and is looking to update its health and nutrition strategy.
The food and drink processing conglomerate stated that it is working on a ’company-wide project’ to update its health and nutrition strategy and is assessing its entire portfolio to ensure its products meet nutritional needs.
The world’s largest food company said that it had reduced sodium and sugar content in its product by about 14-15 per cent in the past 7 years. It added that it would continue to work towards making its products healthier.
Nestle further said that in recent years they have launched thousands of products for families in order to meet the external nutrition standards.
Nestle in an internal document, admitted that more than 60 per cent of its mainstream drinks and foods do not ‘meet a recognised definition of health’. Per a report by Financial Times, Nestle acknowledged that no matter how much they renovate, some of their products will never be healthy.
The daily said that it was aware of the fact that a presentation was circulated amongst top executives earlier this year that said that only 37% of Nestle’s food and beverages by revenues, not including products such as pet food, attain a rating above 3.5 under Australia’s Health Star Rating system.
Some 70 per cent of its food products failed to meet the yardstick, along with 96 per cent of its beverages, not including pure coffee. As much as 99 per cent of its ice cream and confectionery portfolio also failed to meet the mark.
The data does not include baby food, pet food and the health science division.
Ashwin Bhadri, CEO of Equinox Labs commented, “Nestle is a reputed food processing conglomerate. However, after admitting what they have, Nestle must be facing a dilemma; whether to challenge the authorities head-on or let the situation play itself out. I’m sure they are doing everything they can behind the scenes but some of the efforts need to be visible to the consumers.”