Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, has faced several controversies in India and globally. A report by Public Eye, a Swiss investigative organization, highlighted that Nestlé’s baby food products sold in India contain high levels of added sugar and honey, which is a violation of international guidelines aimed at preventing obesity and chronic diseases. The company responded by stating that it has reduced added sugars in its infant cereal range by up to 30% over the past five years.
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Here’s a look at some of its global controversies:
>Baby Formula Marketing: Nestlé has been criticized for aggressively marketing breast milk substitutes, particularly in less economically developed countries, leading to a global boycott in the 1970s.
>Child Labour: The company has faced accusations of child slave labour, particularly in cocoa farms in Ivory Coast.
>Food Safety: Nestlé has had issues with food safety, including the famous Maggi noodles ban in India due to the excessive presence of MSG and lead.
>Water Bottling Operations: The company’s water bottling operations have been controversial, especially in California, Oregon, and Michigan, due to environmental concerns.
>Price Fixing: Nestlé has been implicated in chocolate and milk price-fixing scandals.