Nestle Admits 63% of Products Rate as ‘Unhealthy’ in Internal Report

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In an internal presentation, company representatives recently disclosed that only 37 percent of the food and beverage products made by manufacturing giant Nestle can be considered healthy under one country’s rating system, reports the Financial Times. 

The report, made to Nestle’s top executives, revealed that the vast majority of the company’s beverages, 96 percent, and 70 percent of its food products do not meet Australia’s measure for healthy food, according to the Times. Only one percent of Nestle’s popular ice cream products reportedly met the healthy range.  

Nestle’s Most Unhealthy Products 

The presentation also disclosed some of the worst health offenders Nestle sells to consumers, reports Consumer Affairs, including: 

• Nesquik’s strawberry-flavored milk powder, which is marketed to children, but contains a whopping 14 grams of sugar per serving 
• DiGiorno’s three meat croissant crust pizza, which contains 40% of a person’s daily recommended sodium 
• Orange-flavored San Pellegrino drink, containing 7.1 grams of sugar  
• Hot Pockets pepperoni pizza, which contains nearly half the daily recommended intake for sodium 

Nestle has also faced multiple class action lawsuits over consumer claims that the company made misleading marketing statements about some of its products, including the presence of GMOs in certain foods, preservatives in Lean Cusine, and transfats in Coffee-Mate. 

Nestle’s Unhealthy Products ‘Address a Deep Human Need’ 

Nestle and other food manufacturers have been under pressure to make healthier products, both by consumers and regulators; however, it does not appear that Nestle will be making any radical changes to its offerings, according to recent statements made by the company.  

“[C]onfectionery and chocolate address a deep human need and are going to be here to stay,” Nestle’s CEO told Bloomberg in September 2020.  

In addition to that “deep human need,” products high in sugar, salt, fat, and calories also appear to be addressing Nestle’s and other food makers’ need for profit.  

The Financial Times reports that competitor Danone recently dropped a chief executive officer who was pushing for more social responsibility on the part of the company. Pepsi investors made a similar call in 2011, asking the company to focus on less-healthy, more profitable products.  

Nestle says it is not using Australia’s health rating system to make improvements, reportedly noting that the evaluation did not cover the company’s pet food, infant nutrition, or specialized health products, in the internal presentation.  

The company did admit it “underperforms” when it comes to “external definitions of health,” reports Consumer Affairs. A spokesperson reportedly acknowledged the “skyrocketing” demands by consumers and regulators for healthier products.  

“We believe that a healthy diet means finding a balance between well-being and enjoyment. This includes having some space for indulgent foods, consumed in moderation. Our direction of travel has not changed and is clear: we will continue to make our portfolio tastier and healthier,” a spokesperson reportedly said. 

Do you think Nestle and other food manufacturers should work on making fewer unhealthy products for consumers? Tell us in the comment section below.  

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