Nestle Backs Stricter Food Labelling Norms, Says Transparency Key For Consumers

Supporting the recent move by Indian food regulator FSSAI tightening labelling norms, Swiss FMCG major Nestle's global CEO Philipp Navratil on Wednesday said it is important for customers to know about the ingredients of the food that they consume.

Pitching for proactive transparency, he said Nestle, although not mandated by regulations, already declares in India all ingredients, including calories, and noted that the company welcomes "consumers being curious about what they eat and what they consume".

"We welcome consumers being curious about what they eat and what they consume. We have always been pro-transparency," said Navratil at a select media roundtable.

His comments come in the backdrop of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently intensifying scrutiny on claims and disclosures made by food companies.

The regulator has issued more than 150 notices to leading food and beverage firms over misleading advertisements, unverifiable health claims and labelling violations, while also cracking down on the use of terms such as "100%", "natural" and "healthy" that could mislead consumers.

Supporting the move, Navratil said "Even if it's not regulated, we would do it, because we welcome transparency. And so that goes hand in hand with, you know, what we think, how we think quality of a product should be perceived." He added that the company would welcome front-of-pack labelling norms, noting that Nestle has been working to improve the nutritional profile of its products by reducing sugar, fat and sodium levels.

"It will keep population healthier, will keep the consumers informed, and will make them make better choices for their families and for themselves," he said.

However, he emphasised that such regulations should be implemented in an appropriate and balanced manner, drawing on global best practices, and should also be done scientifically.

"So, for example, it's done by portion and not by grammage, because sometimes, you know, people eat portions; they do not eat grammes of products. Because some products are the ingredients that you use in very low quantities, and you cannot compare them if you don't have, you know, a right portion guidance," he said.

When asked about collaboration with government agencies, Navratil said "we will definitely collaborate if we're asked to do so...Not from a Nestle's perspective, but overall.

"It's always good to at least have the voice; then the government decides, obviously, to have a voice from the companies. And there might be different views. We will definitely, if we are asked," he said.

Nestle will be happy to give its perspective and also share experiences from other countries.

"Some countries have done, you know, have started to tax sugar, et cetera. There is learning from that that we can happily share. And that's how we collaborate from a scientific and an experience point of view. We would definitely be part of that if we are asked to do so," said Navratil, who is on a visit to India.