Nestlé to cut more sugar and salt in packaged foods to make children healthier

The global packaged food giant has cut sugar by over 34% and cut salt by over 20% since the early 2000s, as Euromonitor previously noted Nestlé produces fewer healthy products​​ compared to its competitors including Mondelēz, Mars and Hershey.

During the same period, the company will also add at least 750 million portions (80g) of vegetables and 300 million portions (16g) of fiber-rich grains, pulses, nuts and seeds to its products.

Additionally, Nestlé will complete its commitment taken in 2014 by reducing saturated fats by 10% in “all relevant products that do not meet WHO recommendations,”​ it said.

‘Nestlé for Healthier Kids’​ initiative

The announcement is part of the “Nestlé for Healthier Kids”​ initiative, a program that includes further development plans for healthier products and advice for families on nutrition and exercise, according to the company’s spokesperson Rumjhum Gupta.

Through the initiative, “our ambition is to help 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030,” ​said Gupta.

That goal needs to be achieved through three priority actions: “building knowledge on children’s nutritional needs; offering healthier choices answering children’s nutritional needs; inspiring parents and care givers to raise healthier kids,”​ she added.

Reformulate one-third of global products

Gupta did not specify which brands or products will be reformulated. However, she noted the initiative will impact all its products, including confections and snacks.

“Every year, we reformulate one-third of our global portfolio of foods and beverages to make them more nutritious,”​ she told ConfectioneryNews. “In 2017, the company launched more than 1,000 products meeting the nutritional needs of children.”​

Within the confectionery category, Nestlé recently launched Milkybar Wowsome, a new sub brand under Milkybar. It uses a cotton candy-inspired technology​​ to reduce sugar by 30%.

“We have two varieties [available for Milkybar Wowsome]: white chocolate, and milk and white chocolate. Both of them contain crispy oat cereal pieces and a creamy center – either vanilla or cocoa flavor,”​ Gupta said.

As a company overall, Nestlé sold its underperforming US confectionery business​​ to Ferrero, and recently tapped into the health foods arena including vitamin and coffee thanks to its deals with Atrium and Starbucks.