High salt, fat, and sugar content of some of Nestlé's products are risking the health of many

High intake of sugar and sodium has been linked to excessive consumption of calories and fat accumulation, leading to health problems like stroke, and diabetes^1,2. Food is considered high in fats if it has over 17.5g per 100g, high in sugars if it has over 22.5g per 100g, and high in salt if it has over 1.5g per 100g³. Maintaining health is crucial for a prosperous society^4;p1.

Nestlé sells food and beverages across 2,000 brands^5,6. Its flagship brands include KitKat, Toll House, Maggi, Milo, among others⁶.

Nestlé's KitKat brand mainly offers packaged chocolates^12,13. Processed chocolates generally contain a high amount of saturated fat and refined sugars¹⁴. For instance, KitKat 4 Finger chocolate contains 24.5g/100g of fat and 49.4g/100g of sugar¹³. This exceeds the reference limit for 'high in fat' products and the limit for 'high in sugar'' products³. Additionally, Milo low sugar powder contains 30.1g/100g^7,8, 1.3 times the reference of 22.5g sugar for ''high in sugar'' products³. However, Milo products generally contain essential vitamins and minerals like calcium and iron for strong teeth, bones and healthy eyesight, among other benefits⁹. 

A recent report revealed that Nestlé adds sugar to baby cereals in low- and middle-income countries, such as Ethiopia, Thailand, and South Africa, while similar products in Europe contain none². This contributes to rising childhood obesity, particularly in poorer regions². In 2023, based on partial data covering 76% of the net sales (excluding pet care and non-food items), 41% of Nestlé's sales were derived from products considered unhealthy ^11;p46 An independent assessment conducted in 2019, found that Nestlé derived just 43% of sales from products meeting healthy thresholds¹⁰.

Nestlé's main brands pose risks to public health.