Nestle, PepsiCo And Unilever Sell Substandard Products In India: Report
A recent report has revealed that multinational food giants like Nestle, PepsiCo and Unilever are selling lower-quality products in low-income countries, including India reported Business Standard.
According to the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) which is a non-profit organisation, these companies’ products score poorly on a health rating system developed in Australia and New Zealand.
The global index assessed food products sold in over 30 countries, dividing them into low and high-income nations for the first time. The results are staggering that such products sold in high-income countries averaged a score of 2.3 out of 5 while those in lower-income countries scored a mere 1.8.
To put this into perspective, products with a score above 3.5 are considered healthy. The World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights the severity of the issue stating that over 70% of the world’s obese population lives in low- and middle-income countries.
India is no exception with obesity rates steadily rising over the past few decades. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), approximately 24% of men and women aged 15-49 are overweight or obese.
Mark Wijne, research director at ATNI, slammed these companies for prioritising profits over people’s health. “It’s clear that what these companies are selling in the poorest countries, where they’re increasingly active, are not healthy products,” he said to Hindustan Times. Wijne also urged governments to be more vigilant about food safety standards.
Childhood obesity is also a growing concern with 5-8% of urban children and adolescents considered overweight or obese in India. To combat this, the Indian government has launched initiatives like the Fit India Movement and Eat Right India campaigns. These programs aim to promote healthier lifestyles and raise awareness about obesity risks.
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PepsiCo has faced criticism from environmentalists and health experts galore times. The company’s environmental record was under scrutiny due to its involvement in deforestation for palm oil, use of harmful pesticides and excessive water consumption. Additionally, Pepsi’s packaging has consistently ranked among the top sources of plastic pollution globally.
Nestle’s production and promotion of bottled water have also drawn criticism before. Environmentalists pointed out that the company’s bottled water operations contribute to plastic pollution, waste management issues and the privatisation of natural resources.
According to Ethical Consumer, many of Unilever’s brands are listed among ‘brands to avoid’ in their shopping guides. The scrutiny surrounds Unilever’s environmental record, particularly its extensive use of plastic packaging. Critics label the company’s packaging as “highly polluting” and not good for health.
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