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| 1 minute read

Necessary step or unfair criticism: Nestle updates its nutrition and health strategy.

The world's largest food and beverage company has come under fire recently when an internal document came to light that acknowledged nearly 70% of its main food and drink products did not meet a "recognized definition of health ..." I read this news with a certain amount of skepticism. 

While Nestle makes all kinds of food and beverage products that fall into numerous consumer categories, for many of us (myself included) it is best known for chocolate, confectionary, and ice cream. These products will likely never meet anyone's definition of "healthy," nor should they. They are intended to be indulgent foods, consumed in moderation. 

Nestle has responded to this news by recommitting to improving its products in all respects, including nutrition and overall health. That is laudable. But whether it was necessary probably depends on your perspective on consumer choice. If I decide to eat a Nestle chocolate bar, I know that singular act is not "healthy." It can, however, be a "reward" or part of a "cheat meal" that most nutritional experts allow for as part of an overall healthy and nutritious diet. 

I, for one, am not going to criticize Nestle for giving me the choice to include one of its chocolate bars or ice cream products in my overall nutrition program.           

The Swiss food giant has confirmed it will update its nutrition and health strategy after British newspaper the Financial Times published leaked internal documents acknowledging that nearly 70% of its main food and drinks products, making up about half of Nestlé’s CHF92.6bn total annual sales, do not meet a “recognised definition of health” and that "some of our categories will never be healthy”.

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litigation, food and beverage, nutrition, healthy