Nestle Reassures Customers After Document Leak; Claims 'Less Than 30% Products Fail Health Norms'

The packaged goods company, manufacturer of Nescafe coffee and Munch chocolates, is focused on running print advertisements over the next few days asking consumers to share feedback on its products. 

New Delhi: In response to the global report that revealed significant portion of its foods and drinks portfolio failed to meet recognized standards, Nestle India is trying to reach out to consumers and address their concerns.  

The packaged goods company, manufacturer of Nescafe coffee and Munch chocolates, is focused on running print advertisements over the next few days asking consumers to share feedback on its products. The advertisement released by the company on Sunday aimed to collect consumer feedback.

What is the response of Nestle India?

“Recent reports have questioned the healthfulness of Nestlé products, because a global internal working document was reported out of context. The portfolio analysis only covers about half the global sales, since several prominent categories were not included,” a company spokesperson said in statement.

The company will be releasing print advertisements to “reassure" consumers.

 “In fact, looking at the global portfolio as a whole, less than 30 per cent would not meet stringent external “healthfulness" standards, mostly representing indulgent products, which are acceptable in moderation as part of healthy, balanced and enjoyable diet," the company spokesperson added.

What did the global reports say?

The marketing efforts of Nestle India has come up in the wake of report in May by Financial Times that stated more than 60 per cent of Nestle’s mainstream food and drinks portfolio failed to meet recognized standards of health and nutrition.

They acknowledged that some of their products will never be healthy, no matter how much they renovate, as per the report.

The report added that 70 per cent of Nestle’s products—comprising its core food and drinks portfolio—failed to meet a ranking threshold of the Australian health star rating system. The publication, which has the knowledge of a presentation circulated among top executives earlier this year, said that only 37 per cent of Nestle's food and beverages by revenues, excluding products such as pet food, got a rating above 3.5 under Australia's Health Star Rating system. 

However, the company quickly resorted to this claim saying it is working on a company-wide project to update its nutrition and health strategy. Nestle reiterated that it has reduced sugar and sodium in its products significantly over the past two decades.