Nestle's leaked internal doc reveals 60% of its products as unhealthy

New Delhi: The world's largest consumer food and beverages company, Nestle has revealed that more than 60 per cent of its mainstream food and drinks products do not meet a "recognised definition of health." the Financial Times reported.

In a leaked internal document circulated among top executives this year, Nestle acknowledges that some of its categories and products like Maggi, KitKat and Nescafe-maker will never be healthy no matter how much they renovate.

According to the presentation, only 37 per cent of Nestle's food and beverages by revenues, excluding products such as pet food, achieve a rating above 3.5 under Australia's Health Star Rating system.

Australia's Health Star Rating system scores food out of five stars and is used in research by international groups such as the Access to Nutrition Foundation.

As per the report, the overall food and drink portfolio, about 70 per cent of Nestle's food products failed to meet that threshold, the presentation said, along with 96 per cent of beverages — excluding pure coffee — and 99 per cent of Nestle's confectionery and ice cream portfolio.

Whereas, water and dairy products scored better, with 82 per cent of water and 60 per cent of dairy products meeting the threshold.

In the presentation, Nestle said that it has made significant improvements to the products but admitted that its portfolio still underperforms against external definitions of health in a landscape where regulatory pressure and consumer demands are skyrocketing.

The document did not include the company's baby food portfolio, but included popularly consumed products, such as Nesquik and the San Pellegrino Orange drink. According to Nestle, it has reduced sugar and sodium in its products by about 14-15 per cent in the past seven years. It added that it would continue to make its products healthier

The report said the findings come as foodmakers contend with a global push to combat obesity and promote healthier eating.

Executives at Nestle are considering what new commitments to make on nutrition and are aiming to unveil plans this year.

Following the reports on its leaked internal document, Nestle said it is working on a company-wide project to update its pioneering nutrition and health strategy.

"We are looking at our entire portfolio across the different phases of people's lives to ensure our products are helping meet their nutritional needs and supporting a balanced diet" it said.