One of the world’s largest selling FMCG companies Nestle, which sells Maggi noodles, KitKat, Nescafe, admitted that more than 60% of its mainstream products were unhealthy.

UK business daily Financial Times (FT) quoted from a Nestle presentation/document to say the company acknowledged that more than 60%of its mainstream food and drinks products didn’t meet a recognised definition of health.

However, if other reports were believed, more than 70% of its mainstream products were unhealthy. FT claimed the majority of Nestlé’s mainstream food and drinks portfolio failed to meet recognised standards of health and nutrition.

The company also admitted that some of its food products would never be healthy no matter how much we renovate.
FT reported as per a presentation that was circulated among top executives in early 2021 revealed that only 37% of Nestles products, (excluding pet food and specialised medical nutrition), achieved a rating of 3.5 or higher under Australias health star rating system.

As per the Australian health star rating system, a 3.5-star rating is given to products that recognise definition of health. The system rates foods on a scale of five stars, which international groups use as a benchmark.

FT claimed as per the document, out of the companys overall food and drinks portfolio, 70% of products including 96% of beverages (excluding pure coffee) failed to meet the health and nutrition standards.

FT said, Within its overall food and drink portfolio, about 70% of Nestles food products failed to meet that threshold, along with 96% of beverages ? excluding pure coffee ? and 99% of Nestles confectionery and ice cream portfolio.

However, water and dairy products had 82% of water and 60% of dairy above the threshold.
We have made significant improvements to our products . . .[but] our portfolio still underperforms against external definitions of health in a landscape where regulatory pressure and consumer demands are skyrocketing, quoted FT from the presentation.

However, the data didn’t include the companys baby formula, pet food, coffee, and the health science division, which the company produces for people with specific medical conditions. Moreover, these products itself comprised about half of Nestles Eu 84.35 billion total revenues.

Post the damaging report, the company said that it was reviewing its entire portfolio to update the nutrition and health strategy.
The company said it was working on a ?company-wide project? to update its nutrition and health strategy.

It said they were looking at its entire portfolio to ensure their products helped meet people’s nutritional needs.

Meanwhile, in a statement on Tuesday, a Nestlé India spokesperson said, Nestlé India believes that nutrition is a fundamental need and the food industry has a vital role to play in enabling healthier lives. Driven by our purpose, we are constantly striving to increase the nutrient profile of our products, as well as innovate with new and nutritious offerings.