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144th Annual General Meeting

AGM 2011: the 144th Annual General Meeting took place today at the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne, Switzerland

On Thursday April 14, 2011 we held our 144th Annual General Meeting for shareholders, over 2 500 shareholders attended it. The event took place at the Palais de Beaulieu in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Speeches from Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman and Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO:
- English (pdf, 217 Kb)
- French (pdf, 227 Kb)
- German (pdf, 231 Kb)

Watch the speeches again via the on-demand webcast.

For photographs please visit our Flickr photostream

145th Annual General Meeting

Today we will hold out 145^th Annual General Meeting for shareholders in Lausanne, Switzerland. At 14:30 CET the speeches of Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman and Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO will be webcast live.

Shortly after the Annual General Meeting has finished we will issue a press release.

To receive all our press releases sign up. For more information, please visit our events page.

Webcast links
Video webcast - English
Video webcast - French
Video webcast - German

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

1st anniversary for Nestlé Research & Development centre in Abidjan

FOOD TECHNOLOGISTS AT WORK: Supporting local farmers and sustainable agricultural methods, R&D Abidjan uses science and technology at all stages of product development, to create and adapt products for the African market.

Nestlé celebrates the first anniversary of its R&D centre in Abidjan today.

As the only Nestlé R&D centre of its kind in Africa, the facility is led by a highly qualified team of food scientists, technologists, agronomists and sensory specialists, and focuses on improving the quality of locally-sourced raw materials including cocoa, coffee and cassava.

The Cocoa Plan – a new consumer-facing initiative which brings together Nestlé’s activities to promote sustainable cocoa supply – is strengthened at the centre. Around 140,000 high yielding cocoa plants produced in its nurseries have already been distributed to farmers in the Ivory Coast.

The site aims to continue this momentum by producing 500,000 plants by October 2010 and around 12 million plants over the next 10 years.

In addressing the problem of disease and ageing plantations affecting the West African cocoa harvest, Nestlé expanded its propagation technology to Abidjan from its R&D Centre in Tours, France. To follow, a new plant propagation laboratory will be constructed in 2010 on the site.

The opening of the centre a year ago has reinforced the Company's commitment to rural development in Africa and is a further illustration of the principle of Creating Shared Value. This is Nestlé's way of doing business which simultaneously creates value for the Company and the communities in which it operates.

Prominent visitors have included the President of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick; who visited the centre four months ago for an insight on Nestlé’s commitment to sustainability in cocoa.

2010 in pictures

2010 has been a busy year for Nestlé news. We have chosen a selection of our favourite photographs used on the website to celebrate the end of the year.

Take a look through the lens at our Flickr slideshow 2010 in pictures

Best wishes for 2011!

2011: in pictures

2011 was an exciting year for Nestlé.

We would like to share some of our favourite stories and pictures from the past 12 months with you.

We hope you enjoy the slideshow.

Best wishes for 2012!

Click here to view the slideshow: Nestlé Flickr Photostream

Celebrating ten years of Nestlé's Sustainable Agriculture Initiative

FARMHANDS IN COLOMBIA: Nestlé's silvopastoral dairy farming project on ten pilot farms in Colombia increased milk production and profits by 38% on average.

Nestlé’s ‘farm to factory’ initiative which supports farmers and promotes sustainable development in agriculture worldwide celebrates its ten year anniversary.

The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative at Nestlé (SAIN) encourages best agricultural and sourcing practices to ensure a long-term supply of safe, quality assured, and regulatory-compliant agricultural materials.

SAIN – currently active in around 45 countries – focuses on a broad range of commodities including milk, coffee and cocoa, and highlights the Company's continued relationships with farmers, traders and primary processors.

Over the past decade, Nestlé has effectively addressed some of the most important challenges in sustainable sourcing including: water management and irrigation, farm management guidance, technical training, greenhouse gas emissions, food safety, quality assurance, and farmer income.

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS: Over the past decade, the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative at Nestlé has supported farmers and promoted sustainable development in agriculture worldwide.

Also under the SAIN scheme, the Company has achieved ten years of success in implementing sustainable agriculture practices with direct supplying farmers. This was due to forming partnerships with external stakeholders, such as research institutions and professional organisations, to provide innovative solutions into its supply operations.

Last year, within Nestlé’s direct sourcing operations called “farmer connect”, the Company linked up directly with over half a million farmers and offered nearly 150,000 farmer trainings. In addition, more than 32,000 farmers had access to financial assistance with a total funding of CHF 45 million.

Biodiversity for Columbian farmers

In 2007, Nestlé Colombia started implementing a “silvopastoral dairy farming” project to increase farmers’ fresh milk yield by combining different species of trees, hedges and shrubs on the same pasture land, resulting in improved biodiversity. As a result, a larger volume of forage is now available in the same area where cows are grazing.

ENSURING QUALITY: The Sustainable Agriculture Initiative at Nestlé (SAIN) encourages best agricultural and sourcing practices.

After implementing the project in ten pilot farms; milk production and profits increased on average by 38%. Based on this success, Nestlé will gradually expand the project and plans to work with around 1,300 farmers.

Saving energy at milk farms in Mexico

In Mexico in 2009, Nestlé helped farmers improve their farm management by using the sustainability assessment tool RISE.

As a result of the assessment, Nestlé provided technical advice and financial assistance to the dairy farmers to build biogas digesters. These biogas digesters capture methane from cow manure which is recycled for energy purposes, helping to reduce electricity usage.

In the Mexican milk district of Querétaro, three biogas digesters produce around 2,400 m3 of methane daily, cutting electricity usage by 90% and further decreasing Nestlé’s environmental impact.

By 2011, the Company estimates that around 35% of the milk supplied for Nestlé in Mexico will come from dairy farms with biogas plants.

LEARNING NEW WATER SAVING TECHNIQUES: New post-harvest equipment introduced to the Nestlé coffee farm in China's Yunnan Province helped to reduce water consumption in coffee processing by 80% in 2010.

Reducing water consumption in China

Another SAIN initiative in China helped reduce water consumption by 80% in the processing of coffee in 2010. New post-harvest equipment was introduced to the Nestlé farm in the Yunnan Province that now serves to demonstrate water saving techniques by recycling water and reusing pulps from coffee beans as fertiliser.

A written portrait of Nestlé Chairman released today

PORTRAIT OF NESTLÉ CHAIRMAN: Written in German by the author Friedhelm Schwarz, the book will soon be available in English.

A book on the Nestlé Chairman and former CEO, entitled "Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and Nestlé – a portrait. Creating Shared Value”, was released today by the Swiss editing house Stämpfli.
The book was presented by its German author Friedhelm Schwarz to a select audience in Zürich, Switzerland, in the presence of Mr Brabeck-Letmathe.

The portrait touches on themes of importance to Nestlé’s Chairman, such as the Company’s long-term strategy, leadership, innovation, water and Creating Shared Value (CSV). CSV is an integral part of Nestlé’s business strategy – in order for a company to be successful in the long term it has to create value for its shareholders and the communities in which it operates.

The book includes testimonials of well-known personalities such as Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Doris Leuthard, President of the Swiss Confederation, Wolfgang Schüssel, former chancellor of Austria, Helmut Maucher, Honorary Chairman of Nestlé, Rainer E. Gut, Honorary Chairman of Credit Suisse Group and Mr Brabeck-Letmathe’s predecessor as Nestlé Chairman.

The portrait is currently available in German language in bookshops across Germany, Switzerland and Austria, and will soon be available in English. Related information: Images on Flickr CV: Peter Brabeck-Letmathe CV: Helmut Maucher Cover of the book - "Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and Nestlé" (zip, 184 kb) Creating Shared Value

Aero chocolate biscuit launched in the UK and Ireland

AERO BISCUIT: The new biscuit bars combine the iconic brand’s air-bubble filled chocolate with round pieces of biscuit.

Nestlé’s Aero chocolate bar brand has launched its first ever biscuit in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Aero Biscuit, which combines the iconic brand’s air-bubble filled chocolate with round pieces of biscuit, is aimed particularly at women aged from 25 to 44.

Graham Walker, Trade Communications Manager for Nestlé UK, explained the significance of the new Aero addition.

He said: “Aero Biscuit will bring consumers who currently buy chocolate confectionery into the biscuit category.

“The great combination of Aero bubbly chocolate and crunchy biscuit bubbles makes it ideal for consumers looking for a sweet snack.

“It will be sold in multi-packs of seven individually wrapped biscuit bars, which people can find in the biscuit aisles of most major supermarkets in the United Kingdom and Ireland.”

Aero Biscuit has been developed as part of Nestlé’s drive to make 2011 a ‘huge year’ for the Aero brand in the UK and Ireland.

It is one of series of new innovations to the Aero range which the Company is backing with the biggest media spend in the brand's 75-year history.

To promote the Aero Biscuit launch, Nestlé has commissioned a new a TV advertisement which will begin airing in the UK and Ireland this week.

TV ADVERTISEMENT: The new 'incredi-bubble' Aero Biscuit ad continues the 'bubble-speak' campaign that began earlier this year. Watch the video

Expected to reach more than 33 million adults, the advertisement for 'incredi-bubble' Aero Biscuit continues the 'bubble-speak' campaign that began earlier this year with the launch of three other new products.

These are: 'irresisti-bubble' Aero Caramel, a milk chocolate bar topped with a smooth caramel layer; the 'sharea-bubble' Aero Orange large block bar for eating at home with family and friends; and the 'luva-bubble' Aero Lamb, a cute, limited edition lamb-shaped snack launched especially for Easter.

Nestlé Aero

Nestlé’s Aero brand is also available in variety of other countries worldwide including Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, Nicaragua, Portugal, Poland, Serbia, Spain, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates.

In Brazil, the chocolate is sold under the brand name Suflair, while in Hungary it is sold as Boci Aero, and in the Netherlands it is branded as Bros.

Related Information:

Aero chocolate brand
Aero Biscuit TV Advertisement

Nestlé shares its efforts to alleviate poverty at global women’s forum

TACKLING INEQUALITY: José Lopez, Nestlé's Head of Operations, will take part in a discussion on new ways of addressing poverty.

Nestlé is sharing its efforts to alleviate poverty at the annual global Women’s Forum in Deauville, France.

This year’s forum will examine how the world is changing and what can be done to shape this change by establishing healthier and more sustainable livelihoods.

José Lopez, Nestlé’s Head of Operations, pictured left, will talk about the company’s efforts to address poverty in a discussion on new ways to tackle inequality.

Janet Voûte, Nestlé Vice President and Global Head of Public Affairs, will moderate a session looking at how social entrepreneurship could become the ‘new business of the future’.

Nestlé’s participation in the forum follows the commitment it made at the United Nations’ 2011 General Assembly to support the Every Woman Every Child initiative.

This UN global initiative aims to improve the health and well-being of women and children.

Nestlé will scale up some of its existing business activities and programmes to focus on promoting gender equality and education for women and girls.

The company is involved in nearly 300 business related activities and programmes worldwide which support the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals.

DEVELOPING THEIR SKILLS: Female livestock workers in Pakistan received basic veterinary training as part of Nestlé initiative.

Many of these initiatives help women to provide a sustainable income for their communities through activities such as product distribution and farming.

The Women’s Forum aims to create a powerful global network of leaders from governments, the private and public sectors, to enable women to make greater contributions to business and society.

Watch the webcast

Watch José Lopez, Nestlé’s Head of Operations, participate in the Women’s Forum session: ‘What if there were new ways to address poverty, precariousness and inequality?’

Live from the Forum: Friday 14 October 2011 at 10:45 CET

More examples of Nestlé’s commitment to poverty alleviation:

Nestlé invests CHF 10 million to build its first factory in Angola

BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE: Pierre Trouilhat, left, CEO and Head of Nestlé’s Equatorial African Region, takes part in the opening ceremony.

In its latest move to develop business in Africa, Nestlé is investing CHF 10 million (about 1 billion Kwanza) to build its first factory in Angola.

The factory, located in the Angolan capital Luanda, will be a ‘finishing centre’ for packing and repacking products such as Nido milk powder and Nescafé coffee.

It will create 30 new jobs and is expected to begin operations in September 2012.

The investment in Angola is part of a three year, CHF 150 million investment programme Nestlé launched in equatorial Africa last year.

Strong, growing economy

Roger Stettler, Nestlé’s Vice President of Asia, Oceania, and Africa, announced the latest investment at a ceremony in Angola.

“Angola is particularly important for Nestlé, as it is an emerging market with a strong, growing economy,” said Mr Stettler.

“We see a lot of possibilities here and would like to partner the government and the people of Angola in this journey of growth.”

Mr Stettler met members of the Angolan government and was accompanied by Pierre Trouilhat, Chief Executive Officer and Head of Nestlé’s Equatorial African Region, and Wilbart De Wit, Country Manager of Nestlé Angola.

Angola is particularly important for Nestlé, as it is an emerging market with a strong, growing economy. Roger Stettler, Nestlé’s Vice President of Asia, Oceania, and Africa

First stage of a larger factory

The new finishing centre in Luanda is the first stage in the construction of a larger Nestlé factory on the same site.

The company plans to build a manufacturing unit where it will be able to produce culinary, dairy, coffee and beverage products locally in Angola for the first time.

Currently, Nestlé Angola sells brands such as Cerelac, Nido, Nesquik, Nescafé, Maggi, and Ricoffy, which it sources from its factories in other countries.

Popularly positioned products

Once the final stage of construction has been completed, the new factory in Angola will also produce Nestlé’s popularly positioned products (PPPs).

These are high-quality food and beverage products that provide nutritional value at an affordable cost, in an appropriate size, for lower income consumers.

Nestlé’s PPPs are sold under a variety of its major global brands including Maggi, Nido and Nescafé. They cover product categories ranging from culinary to beverages, dairy and confectionery.

Nestlé’s Equatorial African Region

Nestlé’s Equatorial African Regionis a subsidiary of Nestlé S.A.

It was set up in April 2008 to oversee the company’s operations in 21 countries on the African continent.

These are: Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Malawi, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nestlé launches Annual Report 2011

Nestlé has launched its Annual Report 2011 (interactive version)

The 48-page document highlights the company’s performance in 2011 and outlines Nestlé’s ambitions for the future.

In a letter to shareholders, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman, illustrates the company’s long-term commitment.

“Regardless of the shorter-term challenges that a company faces every year, a core value at Nestlé is to deliver short-term performance whilst remaining focused on the longer term,” he said.

“We recognise that if we are going to build businesses that are successful today and sustainable tomorrow, we need to invest upstream and down to create value for our partners,” added Paul Bulcke, Nestlé Chief Executive Officer.

Full Annual Report pack:
2011 Annual Report (pdf, 7 Mb)
2011 Financial Statements (pdf, 4 Mb)
2011 Corporate Governance report (pdf, 1 Mb)
2011 Creating Shared Value report (pdf, 3 Mb)

These reports are also available in French and German in the Reports section.

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Are all proteins alike? Nestlé researchers seek answers

Not all proteins are alike. Some are digested and absorbed rapidly, while others may impact metabolism and glucose control. Scientists at the Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland, compared the effects of various protein sources on energy metabolism, satiety and glucose control in humans. The full article can be found at the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Protein is a beneficial nutrient for weight control not only because it takes more energy to digest and absorb proteins, but also because protein may influence appetite and satiety (the feeling of fullness after a meal). Since little is known about the magnitude of these effects among different protein sources (milk, vegetable or animal proteins), Nestlé researchers conducted a clinical trial to find answers.

Three meals of equal calorie content consisting of 50% protein from whey, casein and soy protein respectively (with 40% carbohydrate and 10% fat), and a fourth, high-carbohydrate (95% carbohydrate) meal were given to healthy adults. Researchers measured the energy expenditure, thermic effect, glycemic response and appetite sensations before and after the four different meals.

Results showed that the protein-rich meals led to a greater energy expenditure and thermic effect than the high-carbohydrate meal, that the effects of whey were significantly greater than those of casein and soy and were accompanied by a trend for greater fat oxidation. All three proteins (in the presence of glucose) significantly lowered peak glycemia after the meal. Furthermore, casein and soy protein lowered glycemia with little, if any, increase in insulin secretion above that of the glucose component of the meal.

“Our study confirmed that protein-rich meals promote greater energy expenditure than carbohydrate-rich meals of equal calorie content.” says Dr. Kevin Acheson, Nestlé scientist leading the study. “These findings strengthen the evidence that increased protein content in the diet promotes weight control. Different protein sources could be used for personalized nutrition needs.”

Nestlé researchers will extend the investigation of these results to the acute and long-term health benefits of proprietary protein sources.

Article Reference:
Acheson K, Blondel-Lubrano A, Oguey-Araymon S, Beaumont M, Emady-Azar S, et al. Protein choices targeting thermogenesis and metabolism. American Society for Nutrition, 2011; 93(3): 525-34. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.110.005850

Are your genes influenced by your grandparents’ diet?

NUTRITION AND EPIGENETICS: Over 100 scientists and key opinion leaders gathered to discuss the relationship between genes, nutrition and health.

The Nestlé Research Center is hosting its 7th International Nutrition Symposium at the Nestlé Research Centre, Lausanne, 28th – 29th October 2010.

The 2010 Nestlé International Nutrition Symposium once again brings leading scientists together from different academic disciplines, with different points of view, to engage in dialogue about a nutrition issue of global importance. This year the spotlight is on Epigenetics, drawing together some of the world’s leading molecular scientists from around the world.

Epigenetics is the study of how genetic information is expressed and inherited. Genes are expressed differently in response to environmental factors, including diet and physical activity. The way that genes are expressed determines an individual’s physical and emotional characteristics, including health and wellbeing. Importantly, these environment-induced characteristics can be passed on to subsequent generations. For example, a person’s health can be influenced by their mother’s diet during pregnancy, or even by their grandparents’ diet.

The way that foods affect gene expression, today and in future generations, raises numerous questions for food companies, and is of great relevance for their research and product development programmes. Therefore, the topic of Nutrition and Epigenetics is fundamentally important to Nestlé.

During this two-day symposium, over 100 invited scientists and key opinion leaders will discuss the relationship between genes, nutrition and health.

On the first day the speakers are Emma Whitelaw, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Randy Jirtle, Duke Universityh, Paolo Sassone-Corsi, UC Irvine, Wolf Reik, The Brabraham Institute, Joseph R Ecker, Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

On the second day, the speakers are Sir John Gurdon, Cambridge University, Catherine Dulac, Harvard University, Stephen J Suomi, National Institute of Health, Patrick Stover, Cornell University, Sir Peter Gluckman, The University of Auckland.

Nestlé speakers at the symposium include Paul Bulcke, CEO, Nestlé S.A. and Werner Bauer, CTO, Nestlé S.A.

The Nestlé International Nutrition Symposia are held annually, the present one being the 7th in the series, and attendance is by invitation only. However, in the spirit of sharing and openness, Nestlé makes all the symposia freely available to the general public as soon as possible after the event.

Watch an on-demand webcast of the symposium.

High resolution images available on Flickr

For more information please contact:

Nestlé Corporate Media Relations
+ 41 21 924 2200
mediarelations@nestle.com

Are your genes influenced by your grandparents’ diet?

NUTRITION AND EPIGENETICS: Over 100 scientists and key opinion leaders gathered to discuss the relationship between genes, nutrition and health.

The Nestlé Research Center is hosting its 7th International Nutrition Symposium in Lausanne, 28th – 29th October 2010.

NESTLÉ INTERNATIONAL NUTRITION SYMPOSIUM: Leading scientists discuss genes, nutrition and health.

During this two-day symposium, over 100 invited scientists and key opinion leaders will discuss the relationship between genes, nutrition and health.

On the first day the speakers are Emma Whitelaw, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Randy Jirtle, Duke University, Paolo Sassone-Corsi, UC Irvine, Wolf Reik, The Brabraham Institute, Joseph R Ecker, Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

Nestlé speakers at the symposium include Paul Bulcke, CEO, Nestlé S.A. and Werner Bauer, CTO, Nestlé S.A.

An on-demand webcast of the symposium will be available early next week on the Nestlé Research Center website

For more information please contact:

Nestlé Corporate Media Relations
+ 41 21 924 2200
mediarelations@nestle.com

Back-to-school website programme by Nestlé USA

MAKING HEALTHY FUN: The Nestlé back-to-school website provides simple and easy ideas to help families stay connected and well-nourished throughout the school year.

Nestlé USA launches an interactive back-to-school programme featuring helpful tips, nutritious meal ideas and family-fun activities.

Under the Nestlé Family website – which is designed for families with children aged 3-12 years old – the back-to-school programme provides simple and easy ideas to help families stay connected and well-informed about nutrition throughout the school year.

Becky Chao, Moms with Kids Insights Director at Nestlé USA, said: “We know family health and happiness is a parent’s top priority and the busy back-to-school season can be a difficult time to manage it all. Whether its ideas for a nutritious family-style meal or other family-fun activities, we’re pleased to offer our support through a variety of helpful back-to-school resources parents can use to meet their goals throughout the school year.”

The Nestlé back-to-school programme offers simple child-friendly recipes to fun lunchbox ideas, and dinner activities to a variety of family mealtime inspirations.

In addition to staying connected and eating well, Nestlé aims to make the back-to-school transition easier on the family wallet with this year’s “Happy New School Year” Sweepstakes.

It provides families the chance to win the grand prize of USD 5,000 to help with back-to-school essentials, plus a USD 2,000 Nestlé literacy grant to support their school. By entering every day, parents can increase their chances to win the grand prize, and enter for a chance to win a daily prize of a Crayola® Dry-Erase Family Creativity Pack. With no purchase necessary, the competition is open to legal American residents aged 18 years old and above, until October 15, 2010.

Nestlé USA offers well-known brands such as Lean Cuisine, Nestlé Toll House, Nesquik, Stouffer’s, Dreyer’s/Edy’s and Nestlé Butterfinger.

Related information:
Nestlé Family

Insight: creating the right environment for innovation

By Werner Bauer

As Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer, I am often asked what it takes to be innovative. For me, it is about creating the right environment for ideas to flourish.

The most innovative companies embrace a culture of engagement, openness and sharing - within their own workplace and outside it. Their ability to do this very much depends on the external surroundings in which they operate.

We are the world’s leading fast moving consumer goods company, in part thanks to our roots in Switzerland, one of the world’s most productive and stable environments for innovation.

That’s why we’re pleased the country has been ranked number one in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and INSEAD graduate business school'sannual ‘Global Innovation Index’ for the second year running.

This ranking of 141 emerging and developed markets measures criteria such as research institutions, infrastructure, credit, investment, links between industry and academia, patenting, scientific publications, and creative outputs.

It is a valuable benchmarking tool that encourages dialogue between policy makers, business leaders and other stakeholders.

Significant investment

It’s obvious to me there are a number of advantages to conducting research and development in Switzerland. Not least, it offers an attractive living and working environment to prospective employees and their families.

Our founder Henri Nestlé, a German pharmacist, launched his first product ‘Farine lactée’ in Switzerland in 1867. We have significantly invested in our research and development capabilities in the country ever since.

Today, half our annual research and development spend is concentrated in Switzerland. It is home to our international headquarters and eight of our 32 worldwide research and development centres.

This year alone we are inaugurating three new research and development facilities in the country: the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, a system technology centre for systems such as Nespresso, and a new unit for clinical research.

Exceptional talent pool

Switzerland’s dual system of general and vocational education provides companies large and small with an exceptional talent pool.

I believe Swiss universities are among the best in the world. Every year they produce outstanding graduates, many of whom we recruit for our international graduate programmes. In 2011, our recruitment centre in Switzerland hired 125 of these highly-qualified young people.

At the same time, vocational education is an extremely valuable way of preparing the next generation for the workplace. We support vocational training by recruiting more than150 apprentices every year in Switzerland, whether that’s to our R&D centres, our factories or our headquarters.

‘Cluster thinking’

The strength of links between clusters of manufacturing companies, service providers, financial institutions, universities, and government organisations in Switzerland has a significant impact on innovation.

By basing the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, we’ve ensured it is fully integrated into local life sciences activities at the university, enabling the kind of in-depth connectivity and networking that really helps drive our innovation forward.

This ‘cluster thinking’ is an important aspect of not only our local relationships in Switzerland, but also our many international collaborations and partnerships.

Sustained investment

When Henri Nestlé launched his first product 145 years ago he could not have foreseen Switzerland’s future position as the champion of innovation it is today.

Nor could he have imagined that, thanks to its sustained investment in innovation, his company would play an important part in this evolution.

I’m certain he’d be pleased to know we’re still very much part of an environment that not only encourages inquisitive thinking, but also helps develop ideas to ensure business growth for the long term.

Benefits of whole grain in the spotlight

Nestlé scientists have just released new data showing that two weeks of eating a diet rich in whole grain has beneficial effects on biomarkers for heart health.

Dr. Alastair Ross, presented the data at the open HEALTHGRAIN conference in Lund, Sweden, 5-7 May 2010. HEALTHGRAIN is an integrated project on "Exploiting Bioactivity of European Cereal Grains for Improved Nutrition and Health Benefits" under the EU 6th Framework Programme.

Read the news release (pdf, 173 Kb)

Nestlé Chairman addresses water security at the World Economic Forum

DAVOS 2011: Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe discusses the water security crisis at the World Economic Forum.

Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe joined government leaders and CEOs to discuss the water security crisis at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2011 summit today.

Heads of international organisations and businesses came together at the ‘Addressing the Water Security Crisis: Actions in 2011’ press conference to examine why water security is a cornerstone for economic growth and what public-private actions are now being undertaken to tackle the problem; while outlining decisions and progress made since last year.

As part of the five-day WEF summit in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe was joined by a number of leading figures including Imad Fakhoury, Minister of State for Mega Projects of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; and Rachel Kyte, Vice President of the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

During the press conference, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe stated that he believed that water scarcity is already happening and voiced his concerns that should the current use of water continue to 2030, there will be insufficient resources.

He also announced that the 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG) would look at a new institutional framework and that its toolkit would be further developed to include the nexus water-energy.

Nestlé’s focus on water security follows on from its involvement with the 2030 WRG – which was formed in 2008 to contribute new insights to the increasingly critical issue of water resource scarcity.

The 2030 WRG released the Charting Our Water Future report last year following a year-long collaboration. Members include McKinsey & Company, the World Bank Group, and a consortium of business partners including Nestlé S.A., The Barilla Group, The Coca Cola Company, New Holland Agriculture, SAB Miller PLC, Standard Chartered and Syngenta AG.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe is joined in Davos by Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke who will appear in a panel debate on ‘The Future of Enterprise’ tomorrow at 18.00 CET on Friday 28 January.

Insight: no future without sustainable agriculture

By Peter Brabeck-Letmathe

By 2050, the world will have to feed more than nine billion people. To meet this demand, current levels of global food production must double.

This is not a new issue. Ten years ago, Nestlé was one of three major consumer goods manufacturers to found the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative, the only global food industry initiative for sustainable agriculture.

We knew that as the world’s population continued to grow, and millions of consumers became increasingly affluent, a shortage of quality agricultural raw materials would put not only our business, but also global food production, at risk.

Sharing knowledge

When the SAI platform was set up in 2002, the aim was to share knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices.

We had already started a sustainable agriculture initiative at Nestlé a year earlier, but we recognised that we could not encourage change in agriculture on our own.

We believed by working with other companies to define common principles, and to implement these with suppliers, we could begin to solve some of the problems we shared.

Working with farmers

One of the biggest challenges we faced - then and now - is how to ensure the farmers who supply us comply with these sustainable principles and standards.

Over the past 12 years we have continuously increased our work with farmers in sustainable agriculture practices.

Today, more than 680,000 farmers are part of our supply chain, mainly smallholders in more than 50 countries.

Our ‘farmer connect’ programmes have in turn provided us with the insight needed to develop our other suppliers’ practices.

They are the foundation of the responsible sourcing programme we use today to assess key vendors against our supplier code and help them make their activities more sustainable.

This way of working with our suppliers is part of our creating shared value approach to business. We believe that for a company to be successful in the long term, it must create value for its shareholders at the same time as the communities where it operates.

Better engagement

A decade on, the SAI now comprises 40 members, ranging from other multinational companies to cooperatives and farmers organisations.

Through the platform, we have learned how to better engage with different stakeholders, including non- government and inter-governmental organisations.

Common communication on specific issues has helped all members to better understand our businesses and the environment in which we operate.

Chronic water shortage

There are still many challenges ahead. Many more unacceptable unsustainable practices have to be changed, or even eradicated.

The greatest of these challenges is global water consumption. It is the issue of our lifetime; one I believe is still underestimated.

Today, agriculture is responsible for 70% of world water withdrawals. This is where we believe the main risk to food production lies: massive shortfalls in the volumes of water needed to grow the amount of raw materials required.

But this is also where we see huge potential for transformation. The amount of water withdrawn by agriculture is almost 2.5 times the amount needed by plants, so massive savings can - and must - still be made.

If we are to significantly reduce global water consumption, initiatives have to be taken at local level, but driven at government level.

Producing more, wasting less

Another major challenge is waste. Sustainable agriculture means using natural, renewable resources without wasting, polluting and destroying them.

Roughly one third of food for human consumption is lost or wasted globally across the entire food chain every year. This amounts to more than one billion tonnes.

We need to find more sustainable agricultural production methods that increase production, while wasting less, and without turning natural ecosystems into areas of new farm land.

Catalyst for change

While we are still a long way from solving all our shared problems, the SAI has shown us that if the food industry unites around sustainable agriculture issues, it can be an effective catalyst for change.

But industry can’t work in isolation. We all have a part to play: governments can set the direction, businesses can invest and innovate, and civil society can mobilise communities.

As we look ahead to the next ten years, it seems wrong to talk about ‘the future of sustainable agriculture’. Simply put, there is no future without sustainable agriculture.

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe is Nestlé's Chairman. He gave a keynote speech at an event to mark the tenth anniversary of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative in Evian, France, today.

Insight is where you can read diverse perspectives of people in our company.

Brazilians celebrate Easter with Nestlé chocolate brands

FIRST EASTER EGG FROM SUFLAIR: The air bubble textured milk chocolate bar brand is also sold in other countries under the name Aero.

As Brazilians prepare to exchange Easter gifts this weekend, Nestlé is offering a range of chocolate eggs to please every generation.

Easter - or Páscoa in Portuguese – is the most popular time to give and receive chocolate in Brazil, which is second only to the United Kingdom as the world’s largest Easter egg market.

This year, cartoon-themed eggs for children, football-focused eggs for sports fans, eggs in beautifully illustrated tins for art lovers, and superior-quality cocoa eggs for connoisseurs, are among the choices from some of Nestlé’s most popular chocolate bar brands.

The wide selection includes the Company’s first ever air bubble textured milk and white chocolate Easter eggs from Suflair; an aerated milk chocolate bar brand also sold in other countries under the name Aero.

Innovations from Nestlé’s Garoto brand include the new premium quality Mesclado egg, which blends milk and white chocolate; and Cacau da Amazônia, a milk chocolate egg in the shape of a cocoa bean, made from a distinctly flavoured Amazonian cocoa.

DISTINCT FLAVOUR: The Cacau da Amazônia egg is shaped like a cocoa bean.

Ricardo Bassani, Marketing Manager of Chocolates for Nestlé Brazil, explained how the country’s Easter egg tradition has evolved over the years.

He said: “Italian merchants were the first to bring Easter eggs to Brazil in 1922. Then in 1948, Garoto produced the first chocolate eggs on a commercial scale.

“What is different in Brazil is the way we display the eggs by hanging them from the ceiling. This is something which began in the 1940s and ‘50s after retailers found it difficult to display the eggs on shelves in an appealing way.

“Today in most Brazilian stores at Easter, you will find eggs hanging all over the ceiling in what we refer to in Portuguese as the ‘parreira de Páscoa’, or the ‘vineyard’.

“The majority of eggs are packaged in brightly coloured foil wrapping which is gathered at the top and tied with a bow, then opens out into an eye-catching fan.

“With hundreds of eggs arranged together in this way, there is a real sense of excitement and celebration in stores.”

BRAZILIAN TRADITION: Retailers typically hang Easter eggs from the ceiling in displays known locally as 'vineyards'.

Best selling brands

Nestlé confectionery is most popular in southern Brazil, where its much-loved Alpino brand has consistently produced the Company’s best-selling Easter egg.

The milk chocolate brand, which offers a new Easter product every year, has introduced a 60% cocoa, dark chocolate egg for 2011.

Containing sweets made from the same recipe, Alpino Dark is also available in a special pack of three, alongside the traditional Alpino egg and the Alpino Milky egg, which has a more pronounced flavour of milk chocolate.

For the Nestlé Classic brand, Brazilian illustrator Cako Martin has designed a range of three exclusive Easter egg tins in his trademark free-hand style inspired by street art.

There are also a number of Nestlé branded eggs for children, featuring popular cartoon characters from films such as Toy Story and Cars.

INSPIRED BY STREET ART: Brazilian illustrator Cako Martin designed this exclusive Easter egg tin.

Loyal to the egg

While in the United Kingdom, a variety of Easter characters are becoming more popular - such as Nestlé Aero’s milk chocolate lamb, or Nestle Smarties’ new milk chocolate chicken - in Brazil, consumers remain loyal to the egg.

Fernanda Canto, Consumer Marketing Manager for Garoto, explained its significance.

She said. “Easter Sunday is traditionally a time when Brazilian families around the country get together.

“People might give different types of Easter gifts to friends and acquaintances, but for their close friends and family, it has to be an egg. Most Brazilians buy three or four each every year.”

Garoto - more popular in northern Brazil among lower income consumers - is offering more than 30 different styles of Easter egg this year under its main confectionery brands such as Talento, Baton, Serenata and Mundy.

Recipes include white chocolate with cashew nuts, hazelnut, chestnut, cereal and raisin, fruits and berries, and hazelnut.

Nestlé joins new partnership to improve dairy farming in Brazil

IMPROVING PRACTICES: Farmers will receive training in basic veterinary skills.

Nestlé has joined a new partnership with other dairy companies in Brazil to help more than 2,200 farms improve milk quality, safety and sustainability.

Nestlé has entered the agreement through Dairy Partners Americas, its joint venture in South America with dairy company Fonterra.

Dairy Partners Americas has teamed up with Brazil Foods and Itambé, two leading Brazilian food producers, to share best practices.

Shared standards

Together, the three companies have worked with the State Secretariat of Science, Technology and Higher Education for Minas Gerais - a major dairy farming region - to define a set of common standards.

The companies will help their suppliers to meet these standards in all the regions in Brazil where they purchase milk.

Their aim is to accelerate milk production while improving dairy farming practices across the country by encouraging other organisations to adopt the same standards.

Training farmers

Farmers will be helped to improve milk storage as well as the use and cleaning of equipment.

They will receive training in basic veterinary skills, as well as training to improve animal welfare and milking parlour conditions.

Farmers will also be shown how to reduce the environmental impact of their activities by setting up better wastewater treatment and drainage systems.

It is expected that 2,260 farms will start to adopt the recommended practices by the end of 2012.

Dairy Partners Americas

Dairy Partners Americas is a joint venture between Nestlé, the world’s largest food and beverage company, and Fonterra, a New Zealand-based cooperative and the world’s largest exporter of dairy products.

Dairy Partners Americas purchases around three billion litres of milk per year to supply both companies.

It works directly with 13,000 commercial milk producers and indirectly with another 40,000 through farming cooperatives.

In Brazil, Dairy Partners Americas employs more than 3,000 people and operates 12 sites.

Buitoni targets foodies with new premium range

SAVOURY SOUFFLE: A quick and tasty solution to a dish that can be difficult to prepare.

Nestlé food brand Buitoni has launched a new range of five premium products in Italy offering a convenient but luxurious twist on simple recipes.

A unique savoury soufflé base and extra-large, extra-creamy filled pasta are two of the innovations in the new Le Creazioni di Casa Buitoni range.

Drawing on the rich heritage of Casa Buitoni - the iconic neo-classical villa in Tuscany that is home to Buitoni’s research and development centre – Le Creazioni di Casa Buitoni marks the brand’s first move in the premium product category.

Launched in Italy last month, the range will soon be rolled out in other European markets, beginning with Belgium.

Marco Morelli, Brand Manager for Nestlé Buitoni, explained why the premium products were developed.

He said: “Le Creazioni di Casa Buitoni is aimed at a particular category of consumers known as ‘foodies’, who are not only passionate about the food they eat, but also about its culture and heritage.

“In Italy, where this group represents around five million people, we are emphasising Casa Buitoni’s worldwide reputation as a symbol of more than 180 years of culinary innovation. We chose the name Le Creazioni di Casa Buitoni as a tribute to this outstanding expertise.”

The soufflé base - the first of its kind to be sold in Europe - provides a quick and tasty solution to a dish that even the most competent cooks find difficult to perfect.

Available in a 200g packet that makes up to eight individual servings, the chilled product requires consumers to simply add milk, mix, add ingredients of their choice such as ham, and then bake.

EXTRA CREAMY: The new filled pasta is the largest of its kind on the market.

Meanwhile, the Le Creazioni di Casa Buitoni filled pasta is the largest of its kind on the market. It was given greater creaminess using new, state-of-the-art technology which also allows pieces of ingredients, such as porcini mushrooms and toasted almonds, to remain intact.

The product is the first in the filled pasta category in to feature a paper-based, partly recyclable tray. Conveying the craftsmanship behind the pasta, it reduces the amount of plastic normally required in packaging.

In addition to soufflé and pasta, Le Creazioni di Casa Buitoni features pizza with a rich, soft topping; superior thickness puff pastry ideal for liquid fillings; and chilled fine chocolate dough for baking cakes with a gooey chocolate centre.

The Buitoni brand has added a new Le Creazioni di Casa Buitoni section to its Italian website, and has also created a new You Tube channelfor consumers to watch recipe demonstrations, and to upload their own ideas.

The original Buitoni product range is sold in many countries around Europe including Italy, France, Spain and Belgium, and is also available in the United States.

Casa Buitoni

In 1827, Guilia Buitoni opened a small pasta shop in Sansepolcro, Italy, which quickly became a local favourite.

Casa Buitoni: The neo-classical villa in Tuscany is a symbol of more than 180 years of culinary expertise.

Nestlé bought the Buitoni brand in 1988. At the same time, the Company bought and completely restored the Casa Buitoni villa, which had been the home of the Buitoni family for many years.

Casa Buitoni was opened in 1992 as the Research & Development and Communication Centre for the Buitoni brand.

Here, a team of culinary experts and chefs work full time to develop new product ideas and concepts based on in-depth consumer research.

CBE award for former Nestlé UK Chairman

COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY: Alastair Sykes, former Chairman of Nestlé UK, has been awarded a CBE.

Former Chairman of Nestlé UK, Alastair Sykes, has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List 2011 for services to the food industry.

The CBE honours – Commander of the Order of the British Empire – are part of the British honours which are awarded on merit, for exceptional achievement or service by her Royal Highness Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II; at New Year and in mid-June on the date of the Queen's official birthday.

As Chairman and Chief Executive from 2001 to 2008, Mr Sykes led Nestlé UK through a period of sustained investment and growth. He continued as Chairman until his retirement in December 2009.

Under his leadership, Nestlé UK addressed the key issues of corporate responsibility faced by the food industry including making products healthier, communicating openly and transparently to consumers and improving the company’s environmental performance.

In addition, in focusing on Nestlé UK’s long-standing commitment to the community, Mr Sykes created Make Space, a campaign in partnership with UK children’s charity 4Children.

Established together with Ann Longfield, 4Children Chief Executive, Make Space was launched in 2002. It has established a network of over 1,200 out of school clubs for teenagers providing safe places to go and after-school activities.

Mr Sykes was also elected as President of the IGD – the principal industry association for food retailers, manufacturers and suppliers. His achievements in the role included leading a pan-industry initiative to substantially reduce food miles in the UK.

The Honours consist of life peerages, knighthoods, appointments to the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and gallantry awards to servicemen and women and civilians.

Related information:
Nestlé UK

Celebrations to the tune of Nestlé Brazil’s 90th anniversary

Nestlé celebrates its prominence in Brazil which has spanned over nine decades with a musical advertisement campaign.
Watch the TV advert

Together with well-known Brazilian song artist Roberto Carlos, Nestlé Brazil has adopted his song “Emoções” (Emotions) as the soundtrack of the campaign launched to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Company in the region.

As one of Mr Carlos’s best known songs, this is the first time the piece has been used in an advertising campaign.

Izael Sinem Junior, Nestlé’s Executive Director for Consumer Communication in Brazil, said that the song was chosen for the strong relationship Brazilians have with the Nestlé brand, where currently it is present in 98% of Brazilian households.

The theme of “Emoções” also cements the anniversary campaign’s signature of: “Nestlé. 90 years of exceeding emotions. 90 years of Brazil”.

Well-established in the South American country over 90 years, Nestlé Brazil currently offers hundreds of renowned brands including Ninho, Maggi and Nescafé.

Related information:
Nestlé Brazil (Portuguese only)
90 anos de Nestlé Brasil (Portuguese only)

CHF 60 million investment for Nestlé factory in Russia

NEW INVESTMENT OF CHF 60 MILLION IN RUSSIA: The new factory, which will be the 14th production site under Nestlé Russia, will create 500 new jobs in the district.

An investment of CHF 60 million (1.6 billion roubles) for the construction of a new state-of-the-art factory in Russia has been announced today by Nestlé.

Earmarked for a greenfield site in the Vyazniki district of the Vladimir region – around 300 km east of Moscow – the new factory will produce a wide range of culinary products under the Maggi brand.

The new plant, which will be the 14th production site under Nestlé Russia, will create 500 new jobs in the district.

An agreement was signed at an official ceremony in Vladimir by Stefan De Loecker, CEO of Nestlé Russia, Nikolai Vinogradov, the Governor of the Vladimir region and Lidia Ilyina, acting Head of the Vyazniki district of the Vladimir region.

Mr De Loecker said: “We believe in Russia’s huge long-term potential, which is why we are continuing with Nestlé investments into the development of local production facilities. With the new factory in Vladimir region, Nestlé opens a new chapter of Maggi business and sets a new standard for technology in culinary production in Russia.”

Mr Vinogradov added: “We are glad to welcome the world’s leading food and beverage manufacturer, Nestlé. The opening of modern factories, utilising the most advanced technologies, contributes to the development of economy of the region and helps increase the quality of life of its citizens.”

After the first phase of construction is completed in the third quarter of 2011, the new plant will produce more than 30,000 tonnes of Maggi products to meet the growing demand for these products in Russia and CIS countries.

Once completed, Nestlé will transfer its culinary production out of its current site located in the town of Zhukovsky, Moscow, to the newly-constructed Vladimir plant, which will then be fully focused on ice-cream production.

The Company also plans to transfer its ice-cream production lines from the Nestlé Kuban factory located in Timashevsk, in the Krasnodar region, to the Nestlé factory in Zhukovsky. All permanent staff of Nestlé Kuban ice cream division will continue working at the factory due to the expansion of coffee production in launching its freeze-dry technology in 2011.

Part of the culinary staff of Zhukovsky factory will be transferred to the ice cream production, while others will be offered other job opportunities at the new plant in Vladimir region and the other branches of Nestlé Russia.

Over the past 15 years, Nestlé has built up a strong presence in Russia with over 10,000 employees. With double-digit growth rates and sales of around CHF 2 billion in 2009 in Russia, Nestlé is market leader in coffee, chocolate, infant cereals and culinary products.

Press release:
English (pdf, 139 Kb)

Related websites:
Nestlé Russia website

Nestlé supports worldwide development of children’s athletics

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT: Educating children about sport and a healthy lifestyle

Nestlé is to sponsor one of the world’s biggest youth sports development programmes for the next five years.

As part of its commitment to nutrition, health and wellness, the company is to become the main sponsor of the International Association of Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) Kids Athletics programme.

The global initiative encourages school children to participate in athletics and educates them about sport and a healthy lifestyle. It also aims to support the development of future athletes.

Encouraging healthier lifestyles

“Nestlé’s global reputation in nutrition, health and wellness will help to ensure that the central goals of Kids Athletics are not only met, but enhanced,” said Lamine Diack, President of the IAAF.

“The sponsorship will allow athletics to reach out to millions more kids to encourage them to take up a healthier lifestyle.”

The sponsorship will allow athletics to reach out to millions more kids to encourage them to take up a healthier lifestyle. Lamine Diack, President of the IAAF

Promoting athletics participation

Kids Athletics was created in 2005. It had reached a total of more than 1.5 million children in 100 territories by the end of 2011.

With Nestlé’s help, the IAAF will either set up new Kids Athletics programmes, or extend existing ones. It will also be able to provide additional training for athletics lecturers and coaches.

Nutrition education

Nestlé’s support for Kids Athletics complements the company’s Healthy Kids programme.

The global initiative promotes nutrition education, a balanced diet, greater physical activity and a healthy lifestyle to children between the ages of six and 12.

It reached an estimated six million children in 60 countries in 2011.

“We are pleased to have entered into a five year sponsorship with the IAAF,” said Janet Voûte, Nestlé Vice President and Head of Public Affairs.

“Over and above supporting IAAF’s Kids’ Athletics programme, we believe that this partnership will further enhance Healthy Kids, which aims to raise nutrition, health and wellness awareness of school age children around the world,” she added.

Healthy Kids programmes are designed and implemented in collaboration with national health and education authorities, child nutrition experts, or health experts.

Nestlé continues to develop its operations in Chile with CHF 127 million investment

TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED: New dairy factory will provide 300 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs.

Nestlé has invested more than CHF 127 million (USD 140 million) in a new factory in Chile as part of its continued commitment to developing its operations in the country.

The factory will produce a range of milk products and ingredients with added nutritional value for domestic consumption and for export to the United States, Central America, the Middle East and Asia.

When fully operational, the factory will have a production capacity of 30,000 tonnes of milk powder, enabling Nestlé to meet increased demand for dairy products that offer a nutritional ‘plus’.

One of the most technologically advanced dairy factories of its kind in the world, it will provide 300 direct jobs and 1,500 indirect jobs.

Added-value products

Felipe Larraín, Chile’s Finance Minister, and Environment Minister Maria Ignacia Benitez, attended the factory’s opening ceremony with Nestlé Chief Executive Officer Paul Bulcke.

Fernando del Solar, Chief Executive of Nestlé Chile, local officials, farmers and members of the local community were also present.

“This factory will produce dairy products with added nutritional value that meet the different needs of our consumers, both in Chile, Latin America and in other countries around the world,” said Mr Bulcke.

“Through continuous investment and innovation we are always striving to provide our consumers with products that meet their nutritional needs at every stage of their lives.”

RIBBON CUTTING: Chris Johnson, Nestlé Head of Zone AMS; Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO; Luis Mayol, Minister of Agriculture; Felipe Larraín, Finance Minister; María Eugenia Benítez, Environment Minister; Fernando del Solar, CEO Nestlé Chile.

Long term commitment

The new factory is located in the region of Osorno in southern Chile.

It is the latest in a long line of investments Nestlé has made in the country since it started its operations with dairy products in 1934.

“Nestlé’s latest investment in Chile is a sign of our continued confidence in our future in the country,” Mr Bulcke added. “Our operations in Chile have always been a source of development and innovation.”

Rural development

As with Nestlé’s other dairy factories around the world, the Osorno manufacturing site is situated in a rural area close to the dairy farms that supply it with fresh milk.

This not only enables Nestlé to trade directly with farmers, but also to provide them with technical assistance and training to improve milk production and quality.

“We have built an excellent collaborative relationship with our milk producers in Chile over the years,” Mr Bulcke continued.

“By working with farmers in this way, we have fostered a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership. This is our approach to business we call Creating Shared Value.”

MEETING DEMAND: The new dairy factory in Osorno in southern Chile will have a production capacity of 30,000 tonnes of milk powder.

In Chile, Nestlé operates a dairy support programme in all the regions where its milk factories are located. It reaches a total of about 1,200 milk producers.

Since 2001 the company has also participated in a government initiative that aims to strengthen the relationship between private companies and their suppliers.

Nestlé in Chile

Nestlé Chile is part of the Nestlé Group. Worldwide, Nestlé employs about 328,000 people and has factories or operations in almost every country in the world. The Group sales for 2011 were almost CHF 83.7 billion.

Nestlé's products were first sold in Chile in 1895. The company today has seven other factories, including its latest in Osorno.

In Chile, Nestlé sells a range of local brands including Savory ice cream, Sahne-Nuss chocolate and McKay biscuits, alongside internationally recognised brands such as Nescafé and Maggi.

In 2010 the company opened its first Research and Development Centre in South America in the Chilean capital Santiago.

The centre leads Nestlé’s global research and development efforts for biscuits and cereal-based snacks.

Related information
Nestlé Chile website

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Coffee innovation in Japan led by Nescafé Barista

NESCAFÉ BARISTA: Nestlé’s innovative breakthrough solution which provides a complete coffee system, continues to excel in the Japanese market.

As the only at-home coffee by the cup system of its kind using soluble coffee, it offers a full café menu at the push of a button.

Exclusively available in Japan, consumers can enjoy five delicious, full-bodied types of coffee including cappuccino, café latte, espresso-type, black coffee and mug-sized black coffee.

Used with the patented Nescafé Eco & System refill pack, the machine can make real crema to produce frothy foam – which was impossible to achieve before when preparing a cup of instant coffee in the traditional way.

With its state-of-the-art technology and brand created in alliance with Bravis International, the product breaks the misconception that “roast and ground coffee is more delicious than instant coffee”, which has been widely believed in Japan, therefore bringing new value to the world of instant coffee.

Launched in April 2009, distribution was then expanded through the food retail business and through internet direct sales in early 2010. Consumer demand has reached far beyond expectations and has exceeded the initial production capacity.

With the introduction of Nescafé Barista, Nestlé Japan had sought to offer a new perspective for consumers and bring additional value to the coffee market by moving from being a traditional “instant coffee manufacturer” to a “coffee system solution provider.”

Nescafé initially started commercialising soluble coffee in Japan in the early 1960’s, and started producing locally in 1966.

Since then, it has successfully driven the development of the soluble coffee category, introducing technologies such as Freeze Dry and offering a wide variety of products tailored to Japanese consumers’ taste.

Nestlé Japan also launched another innovative coffee system – Nescafé Dolce Gusto, a Nestlé machine and capsule solution available across many markets.

Related information:
Nescafé Barista
Bravis International
Nescafé Dolce Gusto UK

A photographic feast for the Australian ice cream Connoisseur

THE FINEST INGREDIENTS: Grand Marnier liqueur, fresh cream, coffee beans, and chocolate coated almonds.

An ingenious food photography campaign to promote Nestlé’s Connoisseur ice cream has captivated consumers across Australia recently.

The dramatic print advertisements - shot by internationally acclaimed photographer Nadav Kander - have boosted the brand’s recognition as Australia’s number one Super Premium ice cream.

Featuring the tag line ‘the finest ingredients, arranged by artists’, the campaign reflects the attention to detail behind each recipe in the Connoisseur ice cream range.

CARAMEL HONEY MACADAMIA: One of the three ice cream recipes to star in the advertisements.

Three products - Classic Vanilla, Caramel Honey Macadamia, and Café Grande - star in the advertisements, which show ingredients arranged in precarious positions to resemble modern art installations.

In the first, a flurry of feather-light vanilla beans appear to cascade over splashes of split fresh cream, while in the second, a tilting tower of caramel and macadamia nuts teeters on a table’s edge.

Finally, meticulous measures of Grand Marnier liqueur and cream are suspended tantalisingly close to painstakingly piled coffee beans and chocolate-coated almonds.

Camille Meylan, Head of Marketing, Nestlé Peters, explained the purpose of the campaign.

He said: “We wanted to bring the artistry of Connoisseur ice cream to life by celebrating the skill and care we take in selecting each of the ingredients.

ARRANGED BY ARTISTS: A tilting tower of caramel and macadamia nuts.

“It was a real coup for us to secure Nadav Kander, whose impressive work includes portraits of people such as United States President Barack Obama, the Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, and the World Champion Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt.

“We are delighted to add Australia’s finest gourmet ice cream to his list of subjects.”

Made in Melbourne, Connoisseur ice cream is renowned for its sophisticated and creative flavour combinations, as well as the authenticity of its ingredients.

Currently only available to buy in Australia, the other flavours in the range are Chocolate Obsession, Chocolate Honey Nougat, Summer Strawberry and Cookies and Cream.

Nestlé Peters, the ice cream division of Nestlé in Australia, acquired the Connoisseur brand in July 2009.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Setting up the advertisement for Café Grande.

Nadav Kander

Photographer Nadav Kander’s work forms part of the public collection at the National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, in the United Kingdom.

He collaborated with award-winning British set designer Hana Al Sayed to create the images for the Connoisseur ice cream campaign.

Consensus panel calls for specialised nutritional therapy for the critically ill obese

Florham Park, New Jersey

A newly published consensus report prepared by a panel of clinical experts, with sponsorship from Nestlé Health Science, reveals that there are opportunities to do more to manage the impact of obesity on the delivery of critical care, particularly in the area of nutrition therapy. With more than 25 percent of ICU patients considered to be obese or severely obese,¹ the panel of clinical experts urges hospitals and medical professionals to adapt medical care traditionally designed to meet the needs of average-weight patients to the unique needs of the obese patient population. Patients with obesity, while heterogeneous as a population, are typically predisposed to greater morbidity, higher instances of infection and organ failure, and extended length of stay, all negative clinical outcomes that affect overall recovery.^1,2,3

“The lack of consistent standardized nutrition interventions for the critically ill patient with obesity means that some patients may be overfed and others may be underfed or malnourished. Some may never have their nutritional needs assessed. All of these scenarios can present problems with health outcomes and recovery rates,” said Dr Stephen McClave, M.D., professor of Medicine, University of Louisville, and moderator of the consensus panel.

The consensus report, published as a supplement to the September 2011 issue of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (JPEN), explores multiple issues related to obesity in the critical care setting including the many challenges associated with applying standard nutrition therapy practice to the obese patient population. Areas of concern include assessment of nutritional status and nutrient requirements, as well as delivery of nutrients, including route of delivery, overfeeding of calories, underfeeding of protein and monitoring of feeding tolerance.

“The intent of specialized nutrition support for the critically ill patient with obesity is to provide sufficient nutrients to facilitate clinical recovery, avoid adverse effects relative to the inherent metabolic complications associated with obesity, minimize protein loss, and ultimately achieve net protein anabolism during the recovery phase of the patient’s hospitalization,” says Roland Dickerson, Pharm.D., BCNSP, FACN, FCCP, of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

The panel agreed that, of the more than 200 enteral nutrition formulations available at the time of the conference, none adequately met the nutritional needs of the critically ill patient with obesity without manipulation. The panel specifically recommended a high protein, hypocaloric feeding formula to maximize protein synthesis and preserve lean body mass.

“As a leader in providing solutions that meet the nutritional challenges of all patients, Nestlé Health Science has committed to collaborating with these experts to collectively identify the best approach for the critically ill patient with obesity, and focusing our efforts on their valuable insights and recommendations,” said Juan Ochoa, M.D., Medical and Scientific Director for the company’s; HealthCare Nutrition business.

To address this unmet need, Nestlé Health Science has developed a tube feeding formulation, PEPTAMEN® BARIATRIC formula, with a unique protein-to-calorie ratio specifically designed to help meet the protein requirements of the critically ill patient with obesity recommended in the 2009 Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines.⁴

Additionally, Nestlé Nutrition Institute is sponsoring a continuing medical education activity for physicians, registered dietitians, registered nurses and pharmacists to learn about obesity in the ICU and the new recommendations for the nutritional management of the critically ill patient with obesity. To learn more, visit the Dannemiller website.

Review the full consensus panel report titled Obesity in Critical Care.

Participants in the consensus panel who contributed to this report include Matt Cave, M.D., University of Louisville, Mark DeLegge, M.D., Medical University of South Carolina, John Dibaise, M.D., Mayo Clinic, Roland Dickerson, Pharm.D., University of Tennessee Health Science Center, John Drover, M.D., Queens University Canada, Tom Frazier, M.D., University of Louisville, Ken Fujioka, M.D., Scripps Clinic, Dympna Gallagher, Ed.D., St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital, Ryan Hurt, M.D., Ph.D., Mayo Clinic, Lee Kaplan, M.D., Ph.D., Massachusetts General Hospital, Laszlo Kiraly, M.D., Oregon Health and Science University, Robert Kushner, M.D., Northwestern University, Robert Martindale, M.D., Ph.D., Oregon Health and Science University, Stephen McClave, M.D., University of Louisville, Craig McLain, M.D., University of Louisville, Juan Ochoa, M.D., Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition and University of Pittsburgh and Charles Van Way, M.D., University of Missouri.

About Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science, through its Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition business, offers nutritional solutions for people with specific dietary needs related to illnesses, disease states or the special challenges of different life stages. Nestlé Health Science, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., became operational on January 1, 2011 and has worldwide headquarters in Lutry, Switzerland. For more information, visit the Nestlé Health Science website.

Related Links
Nestlé introduces Peptamen

¹ Hogue CW Jr, Stearns JD, Colantuoni E, Robinson KA, Stierer T, Mitter N, Pronovost PJ, Needham DM: The impact of obesity on outcomes after critical illness: a meta-analysis. Intensive Care Med. 2009 Jul;35(7):1152-70.
² Cave MC, Nutrition Clinical Practice 2008:23 16-34.
³ Sakr Y, Intensive Care Medicine 2008:34 1999-2009.
⁴ This above statement does not constitute an endorsement of PEPTAMEN® BARIATRIC Formulas or any other Nestlé Health Science product formula by SCCM, A.S.P.E.N., or members of the consensus panel.

CPW opens new Innovation Centre in Switzerland

NEW INNOVATION CENTRE: The facility based in Orbe, Switzerland, has more than 80 employees and will be the global hub for research and development for Cereal Partners Worldwide, Nestlé's joint venture with General Mills.

A new CHF 47 million Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) Innovation Centre was officially inaugurated today.

The facility based at Orbe in Switzerland confirms the continued success of the 20 year joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills.

The new centre – which aims to build on Nestlé’s long-standing R&D experience and General Mills’ technical strengths; as well as both partners’ expertise in food processing technologies – adds to CPW’s existing 14 factories and two R&D centres worldwide.

As headquarters of CPW’s global R&D network, the centre focuses on breakfast cereal solutions that deliver consumer benefits such as improved nutritional content, freshness, taste and texture.

The centre was opened by Paul Bulcke, Nestlé Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Ken Powell, General Mills CEO and Chairman; and Christi Strauss, President and CEO of CPW, on February 1, 2011. Claude Recordon, Mayor of Orbe, and Philippe Leuba, Minister of the Canton Vaud, also attended the event.

Mr Bulcke outlined the strength of the partnership and added: “This is a complementary mix of skills, as General Mills has a proven cereal marketing approach, technical excellence and a wide portfolio of successful US brands; and Nestlé has a strong worldwide presence and brands, together with a deep local market and distribution knowledge and production facilities.”

Currently the number two breakfast cereal producer globally with more than 4,000 employees, the alliance was set up in 1990 to produce and sell ready-to-eat breakfast cereals worldwide beyond the US and Canada. Each of the two companies saw an opportunity to capitalise on the projected growth of the worldwide breakfast cereal market.

Ms Strauss explained that the centre, with more than 80 employees, creates a global hub of research and development and will leverage scientific knowledge from both partners.

She said: “CPW already leverages expert support in science and research from both Nestlé and General Mills, but this will make it much easier to collaborate across our R&D facilities. It will ensure that CPW provides consumer-preferred products, irrespective of geographic location. In addition, the centre’s location near CPW headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, will help bridge knowledge transfer and cross-functional alignment across the business.”

A HEALTHY START TO THE DAY: CPW announced that 44 of its Australian cereal brands, including Uncle Toby’s Cheerios and Milo, will carry the Heart Foundation Tick in 2011. The cereals have been reformulated to increase whole grain and fibre content, while cutting down on saturated fat, sugar and salt.

As the latest development under the CPW partnership, the centre illustrates its commitment to environmental sustainability by meeting the requirements for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in the United States, and Swiss-based certifying agency MinergieEco.

Healthier breakfast cereal choices have been reaffirmed over the past five years as CPW has significantly and progressively introduced whole grain, while reducing salt and sugar levels in production processes. To date, more than 7,000 tonnes of sugar and nearly 900 tonnes of salt have been reduced worldwide, while over three billion servings of whole grain were added to the products.

Mr Powell reinforced CPW’s commitment to advancing the health benefits cereal can provide and added: “General Mills has been growing and innovating in the breakfast cereal category for more than 80 years, and we see a bright future for CPW as consumers around the world look to nutritious foods like cereals to help them live healthier lives.”

As one recent example of its commitment to healthier options, CPW announced that 44 of its Australian cereal brands, including Uncle Toby’s Cheerios and Milo, will carry the Heart Foundation Tick in 2011. The cereals have been reformulated to increase whole grain and fibre content, while cutting down on saturated fat, sugar and salt.

The strong partnership is also reflected in the joint effort Nestlé and General Mills make as members of the International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA), by promoting balanced diets and healthy lifestyles. In 2008, CEOs of each of the IFBA members signed a commitment to a set of five actions over the next five years. On a global basis, these focus on reformulating products, nutrition communication, responsible advertising, physical activity and supporting the World Health Organisation’s Global Strategy.

More than 20 years of CPW:

Under its vast breakfast cereal portfolio, CPW today offers well-known brands such as Shreddies, Fitness, Chocapic and Nesquik.

In 1990, CPW signed an agreement with Rank Hovis McDougall (RHM) for the Shredded Wheat Company and AC Fincken in the UK, providing a 12% share of the UK market.

In 1991, CPW entered the European markets of France, Spain and Portugal, then extending to Mexico a year later. In 1993, CPW took over breakfast cereals responsibility from Nestlé in Asia – including the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia.

In 1994, the acquisition of Toruń - Pacific, a breakfast cereal manufacturing company in Poland, was finalised to further extend its presence in the cereal category.

Up until 1995, Nestlé breakfast cereals were launched in Italy, Ireland, Germany and Switzerland. Nestlé also transferred its existing breakfast cereal businesses into the CPW fold in Greece, Austria and Belgium. The CPW group also branched out into Colombia and Hong Kong, with existing Nestlé business in Chile and the Caribbean coming on board.

Furthermore in 1996, CPW entered the market in Argentina and Brazil. Then a year later, entered Russia. In 1998, CPW was introduced into Romania and the Baltic states. The following year, CPW introduced its breakfast cereals in Turkey.

In 2001 CPW began producing its first cereals bars in Europe. Over the next few years from 2002-2003, CPW extended its reach in China, and Milo in Australia.

CPW acquired the Uncle Tobys cereal business in 2006 and the following year, invested in even more production in Australia. In 2009, Milo and Cheerios were launched into the South African market.

Nestlé continues to expand breakfast cereals market with new factory in Turkey

MEETING DEMAND: The factory will supply Turkey and 14 other countries.

Nestlé continues to expand the market for its breakfast cereals with the opening of a new factory in western Turkey.

The factory will produce breakfast cereals for the Turkish market as well as for 14 other countries in the Middle East and North Africa.

Located in the Karacabey region, the factory was built with an investment of about 85 million Turkish Lira (almost CHF 45 million).

It is owned and operated by Cereal Partners Worldwide , a joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills.

More people eating breakfast cereal

Last year, almost one million new households started eating breakfast cereals in Turkey.

With the new factory, Cereal Partners Worldwide aims to develop Turkey into a regional hub for the production of breakfast cereals.

“We expect consumption of breakfast cereals in Turkey to increase in the coming years,” said Hans-Ulrich Mayer, Chief Executive of Nestlé Turkey.

“This is an important indication of sustained interest in this category,” he added.

Locally sourced raw materials

The factory in Turkey is the fifteenth factory now producing Nestlé breakfast cereals worldwide.

Average annual cereal consumption (per person)

6.2 kg – England
5.6 kg - New Zealand
2.0 kg - Greece
1.9 kg - France
1.3 kg - Mexico and Poland
0.3 kg - Saudi Arabia and Russia
0.235 kg - Turkey

Other factory locations are France, Poland, Portugal, Russia, the United Kingdom and countries in Asia, Oceania and Latin America.

The factory will have an annual production capacity of about 15,000 tonnes of breakfast cereal.

The majority of raw materials will be sourced from Turkey. This includes various grains such as wheat, corn and rice.

Cereal Partners Worldwide

Cereal Partners Worldwide is a 50/50 joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills which began operations in 1990.

It produces and sells breakfast cereals, the majority of which are Nestlé branded, in more than 130 countries outside the United States and Canada.

Cereal Partners Worldwide entered the breakfast cereals market in Turkey in 1998.

Nestlé boosts dairy industry in Sri Lanka

OPENING EVENT: Nestlé management with the Sri Lankan Minister of Economic Development at the official opening in Kurunegala.

Nestlé is strengthening the dairy industry in Asia with the opening of a new UHT milk factory in Sri Lanka.

The factory builds on the company’s recent investments in dairy development in China and India.

It will produce ready-to-drink brands such as Milo and Nespray at Nestlé’s existing manufacturing site in the Sri Lankan province of Kurunegala.

Household favourites

“Our latest investment will have a ripple effect across the local community by helping our company make a positive impact on thousands of suppliers and farmers in the country,” said Alois Hofbauer, Managing Director for Nestlé Lanka.

“The new manufacturing capabilities also mean we can produce new products for our Sri Lankan consumers.

“Our dairy based beverages are Sri Lankan household favourites,” he added.

“Continued commitment”

The CHF 5.8 million factory is part of a CHF 77 million (10 billion Sri Lankan rupees) total investment in Sri Lanka over the next few years.

Two other factories producing Maggi noodles and Nestlé brand malt beverages were opened on the site in the last 12 months.

The Honourable Basil Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Economic Development, was joined by Nandu Nandkishore, Nestlé’s Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East, at the milk factory opening event.

“The new factory is an example of Nestlé’s strong and continued commitment to the development of Sri Lanka,” Mr Nandkishore said.

“It shows our company sees real potential in the country,” he added.

SRI LANKAN FAVOURITES: The new milk factory will produce ready-to-drink brands such as Milo and Nespray.

Supporting the dairy sector

Nestlé has supported the Sri Lankan dairy sector since the 1980s.

Today Nestlé Lanka’s has three UHT milk factories.

Nestlé is Sri Lanka’s single largest private sector collector of fresh milk, procuring fresh milk from over 15,000 local dairy farmers every day.

Developing milk production

The new UHT milk factory is part of Nestlé’s dairy investment programme in Asia.

The company constructed a new dairy farming institute in Shuangcheng in Heilongjiang province, China, in January.

It aims to help dairy farm owners and workers from Shuangcheng and other Chinese regions improve their farm management skills and educate them about the latest agricultural technology.

Nestlé India has developed milk production in the region since it built its first factory in Moga in 1961. The company now has eight factories in the country.

Over the years, Nestlé has invested to develop the area around that first factory, setting up milk collection points and training farmers to improve productivity and quality.

Related information
Rural development at Nestlé – the dairy industry

Read more about Nestlé's work on dairy
Nestlé leads dairy development in China with new institute
Dairy development programme in India
Nestlé Lanka expands dairy industry with new chilling centre

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Nestlé marks first phase of new dairy training institute in China

FUTURE DAIRY TRAINING CENTRE: The institute will help farmers source high quality milk sustainably.

Nestlé is marking the beginning of the construction of its new dairy farming institute in Shuangcheng reaffirming its role in the development of the Chinese milk industry.

The company announced in January that the institute in Heilongjiang province aims to be China’s leading dairy training centre, offering teaching courses from national and international experts.

The first construction phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.

Five year project

The institute will be supported by three training farms providing practical guidance to help farmers scale up their facilities and improve their management skills.

Farmers will be encouraged to use the latest agricultural technology and source high quality milk sustainably.

Nestlé, the local government, investors and farmers will work together to help create an investment fund of 2.5 billion Chinese Yuan Renminbi (over CHF 370 million) for the five year project.

Our first priority

“The emphasis will be on training farmers so that they are prepared to modernise their farms and deliver high quality milk in an efficient and responsible way,” said Heiko Schipper, Managing Director for the Food and Beverage Division at Nestlé China.

“Increasing the skills of farmers is our first priority,” he added.

“Nestlé has had a long partnership with China, from the start, our company has worked diligently to develop the local dairy industry."Heiko Schipper, Managing Director for the Food and Beverage Division at Nestlé China.

Long-term partners

Nestlé has agreed to work with the Shuangcheng government to build on the training and technical assistance already provided to local farmers.

Initially, the institute aims to educate about 700 farmers a year to help them improve milk quality and raise healthier cows.

Rural development

Nestlé built a dairy factory in Shuangcheng in 1987.

Since then the company has continued to boost the dairy industry in the region. Last year it provided training and technical assistance to more than 7,000 farmers.

The average dairy farm size has nearly doubled.

“Nestlé has had a long partnership with China,” continued Mr Schipper. “From the start, our company has worked diligently to develop the local dairy industry."

“We look forward to continue sharing our experiences, resources, technology and facilities.”

Creating Shared Value

Nestlé’s work with farmers in Shuangcheng is part of what it calls ‘Creating Shared Value’, an approach to business that aims to create value for the company’s shareholders at the same time as for those communities where it operates.

Farmers benefit from sourcing high quality milk and gaining training expertise.

These efforts also boost the Shuangcheng region to drive its dairy industry and help Nestlé efficiently source high quality milk for its products.

Related information:
Nestlé China website

Read more about Nestlé’s dairy development in China:
Nestlé leads dairy development in China with new training institute

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Dark chocolate may help to reduce your stress levels

COMFORT FOOD: Scientists investigated how the properties of dark chocolate can affect your mood.

Eating a moderate amount of dark chocolate every day can help reduce the hormones in your body that make you feel stressed, according to a Nestlé study.

Scientists from the Nestlé Research Center (NRC) in Switzerland examined the biochemical basis for chocolate’s reputation as a comfort food.

Their research revealed that the chemical compounds contained in dark chocolate may improve the disposition of people who experience higher levels of stress.

Nestlé scientist Dr Sunil Kochhar, who led the study, explained the findings as part of his presentation “Cocoa and chocolate: The science of delight”, at the national meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in California.

He also discussed the company’s research into how the taste and aroma of chocolate is produced after cocoa beans have been roasted, as well as how the processing of cocoa might be improved to naturally enhance its flavour.

Moderate consumption

The Nestlé study into dark chocolate’s effect on stress monitored 30 healthy adults for two weeks. Every day each participant was given 40g of dark chocolate - about four squares of a large bar.

They consumed half the chocolate in the morning and the other half in the afternoon.

Those participants who recorded higher levels of stress at the beginning of the study experienced a reduction in the chemical reactions in their bodies associated with stress.

The results showed the level of stress-related hormones reduced in all participants, including those who were not assessed as stressed at the start.

Chemical balance

“When you are stressed your body’s chemistry becomes unbalanced,” said Dr Kochhar. “In the long term this can be harmful to your health.

“We have found that eating a moderate amount of dark chocolate on a daily basis can help to balance the body chemistry of people who are stressed.

“It is possible to speculate that making dark chocolate part of a healthy balanced diet might lead to a chemical composition in the body that is better able to handle stress.”

INTENSE FLAVOUR: Dark chocolate contains a high concentration of cocoa solids rich in chemical compounds.

Cocoa rich

The dark chocolate used in the study was made of up to 75% cocoa solids. These are rich in chemical compounds that affect your metabolism, the chemical reactions that happen in your cells.

“Anxiety and stress can have considerable effects on people’s wellbeing, causing a variety of physical and emotional conditions, and sometimes leading to more serious health concerns,” Dr Kochhar continued.

“These results strongly support our ongoing research efforts to establish the impact of certain food ingredients on human metabolism, and how they affect our health.”

Emerging health benefits

The study, published in the Journal of Proteome Research, is one of several conducted by the Nestlé Research Center into the emerging health benefits of dark chocolate.

Nestlé scientists collaborated with experts from BASF, the world’s leading chemical company, and Berlin-based scientific organisation Metanomics GmbH on an earlier study. This examined the effects on microorganisms in the human gut associated with eating dark chocolate regularly.

The NRC has also collaborated with Loughborough University, a leading sports science institute in the United Kingdom, to investigate the use of dark chocolate as an effective snack alternative for active people.

Aroma and taste

At the ACS meeting, Dr Kochhar explained that Nestlé’s studies belong to only a tiny number worldwide dedicated to investigating the role of proteins in the flavour development of cocoa or chocolate.

Cocoa seeds undergo natural fermentation before they are turned into a key ingredient for chocolate making.

Nestlé scientists have developed a unique, synthetic process for fermenting cocoa beans which mimics their natural fermentation.

This has helped them identify a number of compounds that form when dry cocoa is stored, which are key to the chemical reactions that determine its aroma and flavour.

ACS

The American Chemical Society is the world’s largest scientific society, providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences.

Its spring national meeting takes place from 25 to 29 March 2012 in San Diego, California.

Dr Kochhar took part in the symposium “Cocoa: Science and Technology” on Wednesday 28 March.

He appeared alongside other international experts to discuss the potentially beneficial health effects derived from cocoa and other ingredients in chocolate.

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Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé contributes to fight against non-communicable diseases

NEW PARTNERSHIP: Building awareness and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Nestlé has begun a three-year partnership with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) as part of its contribution to the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, are the leading cause of death in virtually all countries around the world.

Nestlé believes it can help tackle these urgent health challenges, working with partners like the IDF, whose mission is to advance diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide.

Capabilities and expertise

“As part of our commitment to nutrition, health and wellness, we will work with the International Diabetes Federation to build awareness and promote healthy lifestyles including healthy nutrition and physical activity,” said Janet Voûte, Global Head of Public Affairs at Nestlé.

“It highlights our capabilities and expertise in addressing non-communicable diseases, while reaffirming our responsibility in tackling the growing challenge of chronic conditions such as overweight, obesity and diabetes worldwide,” she added.

Raise awareness

The partnership aims to raise awareness on the need for increased action to prevent non-communicable diseases.

Recent figures released by the World Health Organisation showed that over 36 million people die from these kinds of diseases each year.

According to the WHO, NCDs account for two out of three deaths and about half of the total disabilities worldwide.

And yet, nine million deaths are preventable before the age of 60.

The first set of joint activities and initiatives will be organised to support World Diabetes Day on November 14, the world’s largest diabetes advocacy and awareness campaign celebrated every year.

Nestlé and the IDF will work over the coming months to define joint programmes to promote diabetes education and prevention.

The two partners will explore potential synergies with the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme that currently reaches about six million children in 60 countries.

Managing diabetes

The new partnership is Nestlé’s latest commitment to raise awareness about diabetes.

Nestlé in India partnered with the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC) in 2010 to develop nutrition initiatives to help manage diabetes.

The collaboration seeks to understand how local diets and changing lifestyles increase the problem of diabetes in the country.

Nestlé Health Science, through its Healthcare Nutrition business, provides nutritional products designed to help patients in many countries manage diabetes and minimise its common side effects.

Improving health

Nestlé’s efforts to combat non-communicable diseases are part of its approach to business which it calls Creating Shared Value.

The company aims to create value for its shareholders while at the same time creating value for the communities it serves and in which it operates. Nutrition is one of Nestlé’s three key focus areas, as well as water and rural development.

Nestlé committed to a UN initiative known as ‘Every Woman Every Child’ during the 2011 UN General Assembly as part of its efforts to improve the health of women and children.

As part of Nestlé’s Healthy Kids Global Programme, the company works with partners in different countries to teach school age children the value of good nutrition and physical activity.

Nestlé encourages women in Dubai to maintain healthy bones

Expert advice: The campaign offers women tips on steps they can take to help prevent osteoporosis.

Nestlé is supporting a new public health campaign in Dubai to encourage more women to keep their bones healthy to help delay or prevent osteoporosis.

The company is working with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) to provide free health screenings and bone density tests at clinics and medical centres across the principality.

The ‘Care for your Body, Care for your Health’ campaign offers women expert advice on steps they can take to help prevent the condition, in which bones become thin and fragile.

The campaign emphasises the importance of balanced nutrition and a healthy lifestyle as two ways of helping to build bone mass.

Hormonal change

“Hormonal change that accompanies menopause in women is one of the strongest risk factors for osteoporosis,” said Zeinab Maktabi, a nutritionist at Nestlé Middle East.

“Insufficient calcium intake in the diet, lack of sun exposure resulting in deficiency of vitamin D, smoking, lack of exercise, taking certain medications, and the presence of conditions such as thyroid or rheumatic diseases are some of the other contributing factors.

“Ensuring proper nutrition, including adequate calcium intake, can help to keep bones healthy and strong.” she added.

Hormonal change that accompanies menopause in women is one of the strongest risk factors for osteoporosis. Zeinab Maktabi, a nutritionist at Nestlé Middle East.

Early detection

The campaign highlights the need to detect and treat osteoporosis early.

The so-called ‘silent disease’ usually has no noticeable symptoms until bones have become so weak that they break easily. It is often diagnosed after a patient breaks a bone, or during the course of a routine bone density test.

Worldwide, osteoporosis is more common in women than men. According to the World Health Organization, global variation in the incidence and prevalence of osteoporosis is difficult to determine because of problems with its definition and diagnosis.

Healthy diet

“Maintaining a healthy diet and weight can contribute to the prevention of many chronic conditions and diseases,” Ms Maktabi continued.

“The campaign makes a range of educational communications materials available to consumers, which include nutrition recommendations for weight management.

“We are pleased to contribute to a public health effort that leverages our nutrition expertise and the expertise and resources of the DHA, Dubai’s foremost health authority.”

Worldwide efforts

The ‘Care for your Body, Care for your Health’ campaign runs until October 2012 and will involve several government departments and public institutions across the principality.

Nestlé’s support of the campaign is part of its worldwide commitment to help raise awareness of osteoporosis.

In April, the company announced a new partnership with the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to help make consumers more aware of what can be done to help prevent the condition.

Nestlé has been working with the IOF to offer people bone health checks and access to expert advice on health and nutrition in supermarkets and stores in countries including Argentina, Brazil, China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

In the Middle East, Nestlé is also one of the official partners of the Pan Arab Osteoporosis Society (PAOS). The company's nutrition experts participate in a variety of other events and conferences across the region to help raise awareness about the importance of bone health.

Basic research

The Nestlé Research Center (NRC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, carries out extensive basic research in bone health.

This short booklet , produced by the NRC in 2009, helps to explain why osteoporosis is often described as a ‘paediatric condition with geriatric consequences’, as prevention efforts should really begin in childhood.

Related information:
Nestlé Middle East
Dubai Health Authority

Read more stories about Nestlé’s commitment to nutrition, health and wellness:
Nestlé joins call for more community-based programmes to prevent childhood obesity
Nestlé contributes to fight against non-communicable diseases
Nestlé raises awareness about osteoporosis

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Experts debate global food security at Nestlé CSV Forum in Focus

GLOBAL PANEL: The session moderated by Maria Livanos Cattaui, Former Secretary General, of the International Chamber of Commerce, debated issues on food security.

A panel of experts from international non-governmental organisations, academia, and civil society joined Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe yesterday to debate the role of business in ensuring global food security.

The Creating Shared Value Forum in Focus - organised by Nestlé and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies - took place at the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva before a live and online audience.

Among those taking part were Bekele Geleta, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); Scott Poynton, Executive Director of The Forest Trust (TFT) and Stephen Hale, Deputy Advocacy and Campaigns Director and Head of the Geneva Office of Oxfam International.

Also on the panel were Jean-Louis Arcand, Professor of International Economics and Development Studies, The Graduate Institute; Willem Olthof, Head of Sector Agriculture, Food Security and Rural Development for the European Commission; and Stefan Tangermann, Professor Emeritus at the University of Göttingen and Former Director for Trade and Agriculture for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

During the lively two-hour discussion, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe firmly reiterated his opposition to the use of agricultural land for the production of biofuels, appealing to financial markets not to treat food as just another commodity.

He said: “Food should not be regarded in the same way as oil, copper or rubber. It is, as we say in German, ‘Lebensmittlel’, a substance nurturing life. We need to bring this important idea to the forefront.”

Moderated by Maria Livanos Cattaui, Former Secretary General, of the International Chamber of Commerce, the Forum focused on eradicating hunger, agricultural policies, improving nutrition and how to increase food production while protecting the environment.

Scott Poynton of TFT argued that in all four areas, businesses such as Nestlé have the potential to drive change by pushing innovation right down their supply chains.

Referring to TFT’s partnership with the Company to build more responsible palm oil supply chains, Poynton said he believed that Nestlé was leading the way by putting objectives in place and making them happen.

Backing Mr Brabeck-Letmathe’s call to return food security to the top of the international agenda, Stephen Hale announced that this will be Oxfam International’s primary focus from spring 2011. Professor Jean-Louis Arcand added that feeding the world’s one billion people who go hungry every day has to be seen as a ‘good investment’.

On the subject of nutrition, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe underlined Nestlé’s commitment to combating micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A, iodine and iron, by continuing to update its portfolio of fortified Popularly Positioned Products (PPPs) aimed at low income consumers.

The afternoon discussion maintained the momentum generated by Nestlé’s annual Creating Shared Forum, the second of which was held in May 2010 in London.

Related information:
Follow the on-demand webcast

Nestlé becomes first food company to partner with the Fair Labor Association

COCOA PLAN: Promoting sustainability and better working practices in Nestlé’s cocoa supply chain.

Nestlé has decided to work with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to investigate whether children are working on cocoa farms supplying its factories.

The FLA is a non-profit multi-stakeholder initiative that works with major companies to improve working conditions in their supply chains.

In January the FLA will send independent experts to Côte d’Ivoire to examine Nestlé’s cocoa supply chain.

Where they find evidence of child labour, the FLA will identify the root causes and advise Nestlé how to address them in ways that are sustainable and lasting.

The FLA’s role will be to provide expertise to help ensure Nestlé’s efforts to eliminate child labour are more effective and transparent.

First food company to partner FLA

Nestlé is applying to become a member of the FLA. It is the first food company to do this.

The FLA’s work with Nestlé on cocoa will begin early next year in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest exporter of the raw material.

In the first phase the FLA will send its team of independent experts to the country to map the supply chain.

The results of the FLA’s assessment, which will be made public in the spring of 2012, will guide future Nestlé operations.

“Child labour has no place in our supply chain,” said Nestlé’s Executive Vice President for Operations José Lopez. “We cannot solve the problem on our own, but by working with a partner like the FLA we can make sure our efforts to address it are targeted where they are needed most.”

Working with stakeholders to address the problem

The FLA is a collaboration of socially responsible companies, civil society organisations and experts, working together to promote adherence to international labour standards.

In the second phase, Nestlé will work with the FLA other stakeholders including the government in Côte d’Ivoire to address any problems that are identified.

The FLA will assess the impact of these efforts and report publicly on the progress made regularly.

BETTER WORKING PRACTICES: Oura Frédéric Kouadio, agronomist at the R&D Centre in Abidjan, left, is explaining the benefits of sustainability and better working practices.

Improving working conditions

Auret van Heerden, President of the FLA, welcomed the chance to work with Nestlé on labour issues.

“Our approach shifts the emphasis from auditing and policing to finding out what the problem is,” he explained. “We can help build up the capacity on the ground in Côte d’Ivoire to deal with issues we find, and then measure whether the remedial efforts are working.”

Building on the Nestlé Cocoa Plan

The work with the FLA will complement Nestlé’s efforts to promote sustainability and better working practices in its cocoa supply chain which it set out in the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.

The Cocoa Plan is a ten year, CHF 110 million commitment to provide higher quality cocoa plantlets to farmers and to make the cocoa supply chain more traceable.

It helps farmers, their families and the communities they live in.

In Côte d’Ivoire Nestlé works with two other organisations, UTZ and Fairtrade, to ensure the cocoa it uses comes from responsible, sustainable sources.

So far 22 agricultural cooperatives are covered by the Nestlé Cocoa Plan in the country, with more being added each year.

A long and complex supply chain

The cocoa supply chain is long and complex.

This makes it difficult for food companies to establish exactly where their cocoa comes from and under what conditions it was harvested.

Certification by organisations like UTZ and Fairtrade means that the farmers who work for the cooperative have received training designed to dissuade them from using child labour. The cooperative is monitored for compliance and externally audited once a year.

Although the efforts under the Cocoa Plan cover Nestlé’s operations in several countries, the project with the FLA will begin in Côte d’Ivoire where the company buys most of its cocoa.

There are more than 800,000 cocoa farms in the country, almost all of which are smallholdings, mostly family owned and run.

“In the past we haven’t been able to find a credible partner which has the capacity to help us with this kind of project,” said José Lopez. “Now we have found an organisation that can help us contribute to addressing the problem of child labour.”

Read our story in other languages:
French: Nestlé devient la première entreprise alimentaire à s’associer avec la Fair Labor Association
German: Nestlé geht als erstes Lebensmittelunternehmen eine Partnerschaft mit der Fair Labor Association ein
Spanish: Nestlé se convierte en la primera compañía alimentaria en asociarse con la Fair Labor Association

Nestlé sets out actions to address child labour in response to Fair Labor Association report on the company’s cocoa supply chain

STRENGTHENING THE NESTLÉ COCOA PLAN: Introducing new initiatives in response to FLA report.

Nestlé and its partners will involve communities in Côte d’Ivoire in a new effort to prevent the use of child labour in cocoa-growing areas by raising awareness and training people to identify children at risk, and to intervene where there is a problem.

The initiative is part of an action plan drawn up by Nestlé in response to a report on the company’s cocoa supply chain in the West African country by the Fair Labor Association (FLA).

It builds upon existing efforts to develop a more sustainable cocoa supply through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.

Watch the on-demand Nestlé and FLA webcast.

“The use of child labour in our cocoa supply chain goes against everything we stand for. As the FLA report makes clear, no company sourcing cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire can guarantee that it doesn’t happen, but what we can say is that tackling child labour is a top priority for our company,” said José Lopez, Nestlé’s Executive Vice President for Operations.

FLA Findings

The FLA concluded that, with some adjustments and improvements, the Nestlé Cocoa Plan can become a well-rounded developmental programme.

The plan, along with the other initiatives Nestlé participates in, provides the building blocks for a more robust and deep reaching effort, the FLA experts say in their report

They found that child labour is a reality on cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire and has its roots in a combination of factors including poverty and the socio-economic situation of the farmers and their families.

The report says an effective strategy to eliminate the problem must start by tackling the attitudes and perceptions of those in the cocoa supply chain and the communities in which they live.

Nestlé does not own or operate farms in Côte d’Ivoire, but is well positioned to make a positive impact on the livelihoods of workers in the cocoa supply chain, the FLA says, due to its leverage with its suppliers and the volume of cocoa beans it procures.

Taking Action

The FLA made 11 recommendations to Nestlé, all of which the company fully supports and is acting upon, in some cases in collaboration with its partners.

Nestlé is committed to the eradication of child labour in its cocoa supply chain.

Measures needed to tackle child labour are prioritised, including improvements to the company’s supplier code.

Nestlé wants suppliers in Côte d’Ivoire to ensure that the farmers growing cocoa for the company are fully aware of the obligations contained in the code.

The company will work more closely with its suppliers, its certification partners and other bodies to ensure those working throughout the cocoa supply chain receive better training on the nature of the child labour problem and how to address it.

The use of child labour in our cocoa supply chain goes against everything we stand for. As the FLA report makes clear, no company sourcing cocoa from Côte d’Ivoire can guarantee that it doesn’t happen, but what we can say is that tackling child labour is a top priority for our company. José Lopez, Nestlé’s Executive Vice President for Operations.

Monitoring and Remediation

Nestlé believes that working with local communities to create a robust monitoring and remedy scheme will produce the greatest returns as it seeks to improve working conditions.

The company’s management in Côte d’Ivoire will oversee the new child labour initiatives and co-ordinate efforts with partners, suppliers and the authorities.

Nestlé will work with its partner, the International Cocoa Initiative, a foundation that works with the cocoa industry, civil society and trade unions, to set up the new monitoring and remedy scheme.

It will be piloted in 40 communities covered by 2 co-operatives of cocoa farms during this year’s cocoa harvest.

The plan is to scale it up to include 30 more co-operatives by 2016, involving around 600 communities.

The FLA will evaluate how successful this model of child labour monitoring and prevention is over the next three years.

Strengthening and scaling up the Nestlé Cocoa Plan

Nestlé welcomes the FLA’s finding that its ‘Cocoa Plan’ lays the foundations for strengthening and mounting further efforts to achieve its ambition of cocoa supply chains free from child labour.

The Nestlé Cocoa Plan aims to enable farmers to run profitable farms, to eliminate the use of child labour on those farms and to ensure a sustainable supply of cocoa.

It is designed to create value throughout the supply chain, particularly for the farmers and their families, but also for the company’s shareholders, an approach Nestlé calls Creating Shared Value.

The company believes that improving and scaling up the ‘Nestlé Cocoa Plan’ will help ensure there is a sustainable flow of cocoa to Nestlé from Côte d’Ivoire.

Nestlé has pledged to source 10% of its global cocoa supply this year from farmers covered by the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.

It plans to scale this up to 15% in 2013.

Making a difference

More than 6,000 cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire have received training in 2012 as part of the plan.

Over 800,000 better quality cocoa plants have been distributed to them.

By 2015 Nestlé aims to train a further 24,000 farmers in the country, and deliver a further three million plantlets.

In March the company opened the first school it has built for a Nestlé Cocoa Plan co-operative.

Over the next four years, Nestlé, with its partner the World Cocoa Foundation, plans to build or refurbish 40 schools for other communities that have been identified as in need.

WORKING WITH THE FLA: Zero tolerance of child labour in Nestlé’s supply chain.

Regular Updates

In its action plan Nestlé sets out further measures that will be needed in the years ahead. The company and the FLA will publish annual updates on the progress made.

Nestlé is committed to transparency throughout this process.

It is the first company in the food industry to join the FLA, a non-profit multi-stakeholder initiative that works with major companies to improve working conditions in their supply chains.

Nestlé asked the FLA to map its cocoa supply chain in Côte d’Ivoire. It has pledged to work with the FLA over the long term to address the issues raised in its report.

The current action plan is just the first step in a long process.

The complexity of child labour in the cocoa supply chain means solving the problem will take years.

Certification

Nestlé works with partners UTZ Certified and Fairtrade to certify the cocoa produced by Nestlé Cocoa Plan co-operatives as part of its efforts to promote sustainability and tackle labour problems.

Nestlé will continue to work with its certification partners to strengthen the role of certification in the elimination of child labour.

The company will also work with its suppliers on new ways to reduce the risk of child labour on farms not yet covered by the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, as recommended by the FLA report.

Working with the government

The company shares the FLA’s view, set out in its report, that individually a company cannot solve the problems of labour standards in the cocoa sector in Côte d’Ivoire.

The role of government and other stakeholders is critical.

For this reason Nestlé is fully supportive of the Ivorian government’s national action plan directed against child trafficking, child exploitation and child labour.

“We welcome this initiative by the Ivorian government,” said José Lopez. “Our approach is fully aligned with theirs, and we look forward to co-operating with them to achieve our common goals.”

Working with the Fair Labor Association

Our infographic shows that we are introducing new initiatives to ensure a sustainable flow of good quality cocoa and addressing child labour. Download the infographic

Consumers find an unfamiliar taste more enjoyable after looking at food that appeals to them

SENSORY RESEARCH: Participants found tastes more enjoyable after they had been shown pictures of high-calorie food

Simply looking at images of food that appeals to you can make something taste better, according to a new study by scientists at the Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland.

Their findings, published in the journal PLoS ONE, suggest that just looking at food produces brain activity that affects your perception of taste.

Participants in the study were shown images of foods with varying calorie content. They were then given an unfamiliar taste on their tongue using ‘electro-gustometry’.

This involved passing a gentle electric current through the tongue to create a unique and distinct metallic taste.

Those taking part in the study found the taste more enjoyable after they had been shown images of high-calorie foods like pizzas or pastries, than when they were shown images of low-calorie foods like watermelons or green beans.

Remarkable findings

“An individual’s evaluation of food before it is eaten is a crucial stage, not only for making nutritional choices but also affecting the experience of eating it,” said Dr Julie Hudry, the Nestlé scientist who led the study.

“Our work has yielded remarkable findings, which we will continue to build upon.”

The amount of calories in food was already known to be an important factor in determining people’s motivation to eat and the pleasure that a particular food brings.

Taste is the primary driver for food acceptance or rejection, but our work suggests other sensory cues can provide the brain with essential information prior to food ingestion. Dr Julie Hudry, Nestlé scientist

Earlier Nestlé research showed that the brain assesses the energy content of food less than a second after looking at it. But the effect of that assessment on taste was unclear.

Brain activity

The scientists’ measurements of electrical activity in the brain using ‘electroencephalography’, combined with the subjective data on which tastes the participants found the most enjoyable, led to the conclusion that looking at images of food influences subsequent taste perception.

“When eating, all our senses are stimulated simultaneously to create a unique perception of the food,” Dr Hudry continued.

“Taste is the primary driver for food acceptance or rejection, but our work suggests other sensory cues can provide the brain with essential information prior to food ingestion.”

Nestlé Research Center

The purpose of the Nestlé Research Center is to support the development of Nestlé products with scientific and technological expertise.

It works in close collaboration with a variety of external stakeholders, as well as Nestlé’s global network of R&D and Product Technology Centres.

Nestlé tops Fortune magazine ranking

Nestlé has once again been ranked Number 1 in the consumer food products industry in Fortune magazine's annual survey of The World’s Most Admired companies.

This is the seventh straight year the company has come top in the industry.

Nestlé received the top score in every category rated: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products/services and global competitiveness.

To determine rankings, Fortune sends questionnaires to food company executives and financial analysts, and asks them to rate companies on a number of attributes including employee talent, quality of products and services, and financial soundness.

See the full list here .

Free mobile app from Nestlé encourages recycling in Singapore

WORLD FIRST: The 123 Recycle application for iPhone (above) and Android devices is the first of its kind to help people recycle waste packaging correctly

Nestlé has launched the world’s first free, mobile application for iPhone and Android devices to help people recycle waste packaging correctly.

The 123Recycle application - currently only available in Singapore - scans a product’s barcode to provide information on how to sort and dispose of the different parts of its packaging.

Developed by Nestlé Singapore in collaboration with the Nanyang Polytechnic School of Information Technology, it can be used with both Nestlé and non-Nestlé products.

It is being supported by the Singaporean Government’s National Environment Agency, and non-government organisations the Singapore Environment Council and the Waste Management and Recycling Association of Singapore.

Yves Soppelsa, Senior Packaging Engineer at the Nestlé Research Center in Singapore – who designed the application – explained how he came up with the idea and said: “I noticed that people in the apartment block where I live were sorting waste packaging for recycling incorrectly.

HELPING PEOPLE TO RECYCLE: The app provides users with clear, easy-to-understand instructions on how to sort waste packaging material correctly.

“I realised that there was not enough information at the recycling point to help people understand which parts of the packaging should be put in which bin.”

As a solution to the problem, 123Recycle provides users with clear, easy-to-understand instructions; whether they are at home, out shopping, in the park, or at a recycling point.

When used with a Nestlé product, the app gives exact instructions on how to sort and dispose of each part of its packaging.

For Maggi brand tomato sauce for example, it advises users to put the product’s bottle and label in the green recycling bin for glass and its metal screw cap in the yellow bin for metal and aluminium.

For non-Nestlé products, it offers generic recycling instructions about specific packaging materials.

The app currently covers 99% of Nestlé products sold in Singapore, including imports and including products from Nestlé Purina and Nestlé Waters, while its information database is being updated every few months to include more products.

Future development

EXACT INSTRUCTIONS: The app covers 99% of Nestlé products sold in Singapore, providing specific instructions for how to sort and dispose of each part of their packaging.

Valerio Nannini, Country Manager of Nestlé Singapore, explained why the app has the potential to be developed further in Singapore and beyond.

He said: “With the widespread use of smart phones and social media, the 123Recycle app is a convenient way to help the public recycle waste material properly.

“With an email option included in the app, we hope it will become viral, so more people will be encouraged to do their part for the environment.”

Discussions are already underway with relevant government and non-government agencies in Singapore regarding the launch of a second version of 123Recycle that will include an interactive map of recycling points.

Mr Nannini said that the app could potentially be launched in any other country or large city around the world with a strong waste management policy and colour-coded recycling bins.

It is open to other companies to include their products for free and the National Environment Agency and the Singapore Environment Council are recommending other companies who would like to develop a similar app to join 123Recycle.

The application can be downloaded from the iTunes app store or from the Android market, where it can be found in the Education category.

Related information:
Nestlé Singapore website
Nanyang Polytechnic website

Fun-loving felines play Friskies’ iPad Games for Cats

EXCITING CATS' SENSES: Friskies' research revealed that cats are most intrigued by the intricate movements of objects as they wiggle or spin across the screen.

Nestlé Purina PetCare’s cat food brand Friskies has launched a free series of iPad and Android tablet games for fun-loving felines.

The three web-based games - Cat Fishing, Tasty Treasures Hunt and Party Mix-Up - feature images of fish, or Friskies food or treats, which move around the screen for cats to interact with.

Cat owners anywhere in the world with an iPad or Android tablet device and access to the Internet can simply type in the link www.gamesforcats.comand the games will work immediately.

Ryan Gass, Assistant Brand Manager for Friskies in the United States, explained the idea behind them.

He said: “We are always looking for new ways to feed and excite cats’ senses, not only at meal times, but also at playtime. Mobile games and apps have been developed for cats in the past, but we are the first pet food company to do this.”

He continued: “Traditional toys work very well, but variety is important. This is a way for owners to use technology to play with their cats.

“We have tested the games extensively and the glass screen on the iPad or Android is strong enough to avoid any damage from the cats’ claws, although plastic film covers could be damaged if not removed.”

WEB-BASED GAMES: Cat Fishing is one of the three available games.

Behavioural research

The Friskies games were developed in the United States using a feline focus group of different ages and breeds.

The aim was to find out what really appealed to cats; from their favourite colours and types of movement, to their general attitudes to game-play.

The behavioural research revealed that cats are most intrigued by the intricate movements of objects as they wiggle or spin across the screen.

It also demonstrated that the range of colours seen by a cat is much narrower than that seen by a human, so creating a strong contrast between the background and the playing pieces was very important.

Mr Gass described the positive reaction to the games so far and continued: “They have really resonated with cats and their owners.

“On our Facebook page, fans have been submitting videos of their own cats playing the game, while on YouTube, the original video has been viewed more than one million times.”

“We see gaming as the future”

Friskies’ Games for Cats were created using cutting-edge HTML programming that enables high quality animations to be developed more quickly than ever before.

It means that the games can be played directly from an Internet browser on the iPad or Android tablet without being downloaded from the iTunes app store, although this is also possible.

Traditional toys work very well, but variety is important. This is a way for owners to use technology to play with their cats. Ryan Gass, Assistant Brand Manager for Friskies in the United States

Mr Gass agreed there might be opportunities to develop the games further, and added: “Gaming is becoming extremely successful in the United States. We see it as the future."

Another mobile innovation now available from Friskies is the Call-A-Cat iPhone app, designed to make cats come running to their owners by mimicking sounds such as the rustling of a bag of Friskies cat food, or different bird calls.

And while dogs might not yet have their own iPad games to play, last month Nestlé Purina PetCare announced the launch of Petometer in the United States, a free mobile app designed to help maintain their fitness.

The Petometer app allows owners to not only track the date, time, distance and pace of walks, but also to retrieve their history. Owners can set reminders of when to take their dog out again and can easily access a list of recommended exercises for their pet.

All three Games for Cats, as well as the Call-A-Cat iPhone app, are now available globally for users to download from the iTunes app store.

The Petometer app is available to download from iTunes for users in the United States only.

Related news articles:
Huffington Post: Friskies Debuts Kitty-Themed Tablet Games

Nestlé joins call to accelerate food security at G20 summit

DAIRY INDUSTRY IN MEXICO: Technical assistance, training in animal breeding and improved animal feeding can increase milk production.

Nestlé has joined other leading fast-moving consumer goods companies in calling for increased public and private sector investment to accelerate food security programmes worldwide.

The company is a member of the Business 20 (B20) Task Force on Food Security, which has set out actions to increase agricultural production and productivity by 50% by 2030, while improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Paul Bulcke, Nestlé’s Chief Executive Officer, attended a meeting of the Task Force at the G20 summit in Los Cabos, Mexico, along with leaders from other businesses and international non-government organisations.

Available food, affordable prices

“We need to strengthen research for efficiently produced, healthy food, while ensuring the availability of food at affordable prices,” said Mr Bulcke.

“This includes improving logistics, infrastructure, and transportation systems to ensure those who need food are supplied with it.

“You can count on Nestlé’s continued support,” he continued. “This is part of our approach to business we call ‘Creating Shared Value’, which aims to create value for our shareholders and for the communities where we operate.”

Mr Bulcke went on to say that to ensure food security, agriculture must also play a vital role in helping to address the urgent issue of water scarcity.

He cited research suggesting that if present trends continue, the livelihoods of one third of the global population will be affected by water scarcity by 2020, with annual water losses equivalent to that needed to grow 30% of our global grain crop.

Role of farmers

The Task Force on Food Security calls for farmers to be placed at the centre of multi-stakeholder efforts to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability, and food security.

It says developing new opportunities for small scale farmers will require a shift from simply providing them with aid, to encouraging them to become more entrepreneurial.

According to the Task Force, this will require the creation of stronger national agriculture and food security programmes, supported by national level public-private partnerships.

“This is part of our approach to business we call ‘Creating Shared Value', which aims to create value for our shareholders and for the communities where we operate."Paul Bulcke, Nestlé’s Chief Executive Officer.

‘New Vision for Agriculture’

The kinds of partnerships championed by the Task Force are already being piloted in 11 countries as part of the World Economic Forum’s ‘New Vision for Agriculture’ initiative, of which Nestlé is also a member.

The Task Force on Food Security has based its action points on the goals laid out by the New Vision for Agriculture.

The initiative emphasises the links between food security, environmental sustainability, and economic opportunity.

Increased investment

The business sectors represented by the Task Force on Food Security plan to invest an additional USD 10-15 billion in agriculture by 2030.

These investments will be designed to expand access to market for between three to five million smallholder farmers, particularly women farmers, while ensuring the sustainable use of resources.

The Task Force also stressed the need for governments’ investment to help improve essential infrastructure and services, boost productivity, and reduce waste.

Nestlé and agricultural development

Worldwide, Nestlé is committed to helping strengthen the links between farmers and markets. Over the past 12 years the company has continuously increased its work with farmers in sustainable agriculture practices.

In 2010, Nestlé provided more than USD 45 million (over CHF 48 million) in financial assistance, without conditions or obligation, to more than 32,000 farmers.

In Mexico for example, the company’s dairy factory in Mezquite provides farmers with technical assistance and training in animal breeding, improved animal feeding and techniques to increase production. In turn Nestlé receives a reliable source of high quality milk.

In 2010 the company launched the Nescafé Plan in Mexico City. The ten-year, worldwide, CHF 350 million initiative brings together the company’s commitments on coffee farming, production and consumption.

It will see Nestlé double the amount of coffee it buys directly from farmers and their associations by 2015.

Business 20

The Business 20 (B20) is an event that takes place as part of the G20 Summit. It is designed to represent the shared views of the international business community.

Its main purpose is to develop recommendations and issue relevant commitments from business leaders and business organisations to address some of the most important current economic issues.

Related information:
Nestlé Mexico website
B20 Task Force on Food Security
G20 summit

Read more stories about Nestlé’s commitment to rural development:
Nestlé launches CHF 500 million global plan for sustainable coffee
Nespresso reaffirms support for Colombian coffee growers with five year investment programme
Insight: no future without sustainable agriculture

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Gerber launches joint programme to combat child obesity

HEALTHY EATING HABITS: The Pure Michigan FIT programme aims to establish healthy eating as a long-term habit

Nestlé’s baby food brand Gerber has launched a new initiative with the local government in the American state of Michigan to help reduce childhood obesity rates.

The company will share its nutritional expertise and help educate parents and carers on healthy eating as part of the Pure Michigan FIT programme.

Led by State Governor Rick Snyder, this also brings together Michigan state officials, health agencies, grocery stores and hospitals.

“We will be starting out small but the goal is to teach parents to raise happy, healthy families,” said Jennifer Holton, of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Tackling obesity

The programme aims to tackle obesity in childhood from toddlers to teenagers.

Governor Snyder backed the initiative in his state address as part of a pledge to tackle childhood obesity in Michigan in 2012.

Statistics from a national survey revealed that nearly 14% of children aged two to five years from low-income families in Michigan are obese.

Nearly a fifth of all teenagers in the state are overweight and more than 12% have been diagnosed with obesity.

Nutritional training

The Pure Michigan FIT programme encourages grocery stores and supermarkets in the state to organise nutrition education events.

Programme members will also work with hospitals and medical schools to provide nutritional information and training for the medical community.

Gerber will extend its nutritional expertise as the state hopes to launch a new website bringing all the information together for parents with young families.

Dietary patterns for life

The programme draws on the findings of Nestlé’s Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study (FITS).

More than 3,200 children were included in the first survey in 2002. It is the largest, most comprehensive study of the diets and eating habits of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the United States.

The research showed most children have poor eating habits from an early age. For example French fries were the most commonly eaten vegetable by toddlers.

Expanded six years later to find out whether eating habits had changed, the 2008 study revealed fruit and vegetables were still lacking in children’s diets.

“The Nestlé Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study has shown us that within the first 24 months dietary patterns are established,” said Ms Holton.

“We want to establish healthy eating as a long-term habit,” she added.

Related information:
Gerber website

Read more about Nestlé’s efforts on nutrition:
Nestlé Nutrition study reveals children are developing unhealthy eating habits earlier
Nestlé Nutrition Institute workshop focuses on micronutrient deficiencies

Gerber and Yum-o! partnership to fight hunger in the US

GETTING STARTED IN THE KITCHEN: Yum-o! empowers kids to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking.

Gerber has teamed up with non-profit organisation Yum-o! to drive the fight against hunger and raise awareness of nutrition in the United States.

To support the alliance, Gerber will donate USD 1 for every “Like” on its Facebook page by January 15, 2011. In donating a total of up to USD 500,000 to Yum-o!, this will enable the organisation to provide families in the US with access to nutritious food.

Christina Lawrence, Head of Integrated Marketing and Communications for Nestlé Infant Nutrition/Gerber Products Company, welcomed the new union and said: “Our partnership with Yum-o! is such a natural fit. We share a mission in that we want everyone, particularly children, to have access to nutritious food that will help them thrive.

“Through Facebook, we’ve created an easy way for consumers to get involved and join our mission to make a positive impact on childhood nutrition. A simple click generates an automatic donation to help in the fight against hunger.”

Yum-o! – launched in 2006 by American TV personality and author Rachael Ray – encourages families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking by teaching families to cook, feeding hungry children, and funding cooking education and scholarships.

In raising awareness of the hunger problem in the US, Ms Ray believed that such an alliance will enhance the importance of nutrition.

She said: “It is just unfathomable to me that in a country of such plenty, any child might go to sleep hungry or only have access to unhealthy foods. Thanks to Gerber, the Yum-o! organisation will be able to continue its efforts of feeding hungry American children and families and in turn allowing them to have a better relationship with food.”

About Nestlé Nutrition and Gerber

Nestlé Nutrition, part of Nestlé S.A., a world leader in nutrition, health and wellness, is dedicated to infant, healthcare and performance nutrition, and weight management.

Gerber Products Company, founded in 1928, officially joined the Nestlé family on September 1, 2007.

Nestlé and Gerber’s combined resources and scientific research expertise have enabled the company to become a worldwide leader in early childhood nutrition.

Gerber produces more than 200 food products, all of which are a part of Nestlé’s proprietary Start Healthy, Stay Healthy integrated nutrition system. It combines products, educational resources and services that are designed to encourage the early establishment of healthy eating habits in children from birth to preschool.

Releated information:
Gerber website
Yum-o! website
Gerber Facebook page (US residents only)

Nestlé supports programme to reduce childhood obesity in the US

SIMPLE STEPS: The programme aims to teach people how to improve their children’s diets.

Nestlé’s Gerber baby food brand is supporting a new community education programme to help reduce childhood obesity in the US city of Newark.

The pilot initiative aims to teach local people simple ways of improving the diets of infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

Led by city mayor Cory Booker’s community organisation Newark Now, it is an attempt to reverse worrying childhood obesity rates that are more than double the national average.

In Newark, 27% of 3 to 5 year olds are classified as dangerously overweight, compared to 10% of 2 to 5 year olds in the United States as a whole.

Watch city mayor Cory Booker’s speech about the programme

Gerber will share its nutritional expertise to help develop an educational ‘curriculum’ for the programme, which will be conducted in community centres around Newark.

Comprised of six sessions, it will be taught by a bilingual public health nutritionist.

The programme covers topics such as how to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, healthy snacking, dealing with fussy eaters, portion control and physical activity. It also highlights the importance of breastfeeding.

Tricycles will also be made available for children to use at the centres, to promote activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Empowering local residents

“Parents, grandparents and care givers are seeking information about how to make healthy choices when feeding their little ones,” said Marilyn Knox, President and CEO of Nestlé Infant Nutrition North America.

“At Gerber we are committed to working with Mayor Booker, Newark Now and the city’s network of Family Success Centers to empower residents with knowledge to support obesity prevention in young children through community-based education.”

Working in partnership

Other local community organisations and institutions, including the Newark Youth Policy Board and Rutgers University, are also involved in the programme.

It will be overseen by the newly-formed ‘Newark-Nestlé Nutrition Advisory Board’, made up of local nutrition and public health experts, as well as community members with experience in engaging with local residents.

Gerber’s participation in the programme is part of its ongoing commitment to sharing its nutritional expertise to help reduce childhood obesity in the United States.

The company recently launched a similar educational initiative in the state of Michigan in partnership with the local government.

Nestlé study shows modern life is changing Germans’ eating habits

COMPREHENSIVE STUDY: Eating ‘on-the-go’ has increased significantly in recent years.

The unpredictability of the average German’s daily routine is having a significant impact on their eating habits, according to a Nestlé study.

The company’s second ‘So is(s)t Deutschland’ (‘That’s how Germany eats/is’) survey asked more than 10,000 people about their day-to-day life and dietary patterns.

Work was an obvious influence on people’s eating habits. Surprisingly, longer working hours affected women’s eating patterns more than men’s.

Overall, the study found a striking disparity between the sexes’ general attitude to food. More than 55% of women said they worry very much or too much about their diet, compared to 32% of men.

No fixed eating times

More than half of 20 to 29-year-olds, and more than two in five professionals who took part in the study said their daily routines were unpredictable.

Of this group, only one in five said they ate at fixed times of the day. 43% ate only when they had time and 31% said they ate whenever they were hungry.

Among those professionals who worked a 40 to 49-hour week, 43% of women had irregular eating habits compared to 36% of men.

More than two thirds of women whose working week exceeded 50 hours ate irregularly, compared to just over half of men in the same category.

Snacking trend

Somewhat predictably, many people who took part in the survey said they tended to partially substitute main meals with snacks. This trend was especially prevalent among the under 30s.

More than two thirds of people under 30 ate “every now and then” instead of having a regular main meal. Roughly one sixth of this group replaced a main meal with a snack every day or almost every day.

Young single people and young couples without children were most likely to substitute main meals in this way.

Moving ‘out-of-home’

More than 90% of non-professionals who were questioned said they ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at home.

In contrast, more than two thirds of professionals had lunch outside the home. 27% usually or at least occasionally ate out for breakfast.

The study also confirmed that options for eating out or ‘on-the-go’ have increased significantly in recent years.

Young people were the most likely to take advantage of this array of choice. Around 41% of 14 to 29-year-olds in Germany visited fast-food restaurants at least once a month, compared to only 7% of 45 to 59-year-olds.

About 68% of people, including two-thirds of parents with children under the age of 18, felt that too many children in Germany had an unhealthy and unbalanced diet.

Most comprehensive study of eating habits

The ‘So is(s)t Deutschland’ study is the largest and most comprehensive examination of people’s eating habits ever conducted in Germany.

Nestlé commissioned the first study in 2009 to analyse the impact of social changes on people’s dietary patterns. The company commissioned a second in 2011.

Other findings

The study was carried out by the Allensbach Institute, the Society for Consumer Research (GfK), Ipsos Germany and the Icon Kids & Youth institute.

It also investigated consumers’ attitudes to a range of other food-related topics including regional and organic products, labelling systems, sustainability and pricing.

The published study is available only in German. It features editorials from a variety of leading German politicians, NGOs, and other stakeholders.

Published by Deutscher Fachverlag, it can be bought from booksellers in Germany and on www.amazon.de.

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé joins call for more community-based programmes to prevent childhood obesity

COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMMES: Promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity.

Nestlé has joined scientific and public health experts in calling for the creation of more community-based programmes to prevent childhood obesity.

The company is taking part in the Global Obesity Forum in New York to discuss evidence suggesting multi-stakeholder collaborations promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity are among the most successful ways to address the issue.

The event aims to provide international stakeholders committed to the prevention of childhood obesity with an important opportunity to share knowledge and best practices.

It is the first major forum organised by the EPODE International Network (EIN), the world’s largest obesity prevention network.

All members of the EIN - which connects community-based obesity prevention programmes in 25 countries including Australia, Brazil, Chile and Poland - will be represented at the forum.

The network’s goal is to support 40 large-scale community-based programmes on five continents by 2015.

Complex problem

“Childhood obesity is a complex problem driven by multiple social, economic and environmental factors,” said Janet Voûte, Nestlé’s Global Head of Public Affairs.

“If we are to tackle this major public health issue effectively we need a multi-sector response and Nestlé firmly believes industry has a vital role to play in this.

“We are convinced the best way to leverage our capabilities and expertise is by working in partnership with other organisations to help promote healthy nutrition and physical activity through community-based programmes.

Government officials from a number of countries will attend the forum, along with representatives from leading institutions including the United States’ Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Trust for America’s Health.

Experts from a variety of fields including genetics, behavioural science, economics, and politics will also participate.

If we are to tackle this major public health issue effectively we need a multi-sector response and Nestlé firmly believes industry has a vital role to play in this. Janet Voûte, Nestlé’s Global Head of Public Affairs.

Behavioural change

EPODE stands for ‘Ensemble, Prévenons l’Obésité Des Enfants’ (Together, Let’s Prevent Childhood Obesity).

The original EPODE pilot programme began in France in 1992 with the aim of preventing children from becoming overweight by changing their eating habits and lifestyle patterns at an early age.

It emphasises the introduction of varied foods into children’s diets, greater physical activity, and the involvement of families and wider society in obesity prevention efforts from the outset.

Healthy Kids programme

Nestlé supported the first French pilot programme in1992. The company is now a founding partner of the EIN.

The company has built on its work with EPODE and its other existing partnerships to create the Nestlé Healthy Kids programme.

The global initiative is based on multi-partner approaches. It promotes nutrition education, a balanced diet, greater physical activity and a healthy lifestyle for school age children.

Nestlé works together with a number of national ministries of health and education, local governments, nutrition institutes and national sport federations to develop Healthy Kids programmes in more than 60 countries.

Globally, the Healthy Kids initiative directly reached a total of six million children in 2011.

Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives

Nestlé recently announced the continuation of its partnership with the National Education Association (NEA) in the United States.

Free education material will be given to school age children as part of the collaboration.

Nestlé is also releasing a new version of its nutrition education programme Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives, which is part of the Nestlé Healthy Kids programme.

Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives provides teachers with a variety of fun, easy-to-use instructional activities to teach students about nutrition and physical activity.

The NEA is the largest teacher’s union in the United States with over three million members.

Related information:
Global Obesity Forum
EPODE International Network
Nestlé Healthy Kids programme

Read more stories about Nestlé’s efforts to help reduce childhood obesity:
Nestlé supports programme to reduce childhood obesity in the US
Nestlé supports worldwide development of children’s athletics
Gerber launches joint programme to combat child obesity

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Good news for people who like milk or cream in their coffee

There is a lot of scientific interest in the antioxidants in coffee, and their potential benefits on human health. However, the bioavailability of coffee antioxidants, the extent to which they are available to the body, in the presence of milk, or sugar and nondairy creamer has not been studied until now. Scientists from the Nestlé Research Centre, Switzerland, have just published a new study showing that these antioxidants are as bioavailable in coffee with or without milk.

The lead author, Dr Mathieu Renouf said, “Up until now there has been very little known about how proteins, especially from milk, influence the bioavailability and efficacy of coffee antioxidants. Our study is the first to show that coffee antioxidants are just as bioavailable in coffee with milk, as they are in black coffee.”

The authors also found that the overall bioavailability of coffee antioxidants is not influenced by the addition of milk or of nondairy creamer and sugar.

This new study is published today in the The Journal of Nutrition

Mathieu Renouf, Cynthia Marmet, Philippe Guy, Anne-Lise Fraering, et al
Nondairy Creamer, but Not Milk, Delays the Appearance of Coffee Phenolic Acid Equivalents in Human Plasma
J. Nutr. 2010;140 259-263

Insight: The challenges of achieving greater transparency

By Janet Voûte

At Nestlé we believe that actions speak louder than words. We have to deliver what we promise. We have to be transparent if we are to persuade our stakeholders, our partners, and our critics, that we are building our business in a long term, sustainable way.

Significant step

This month we've achieved a significant step towards greater transparency, meeting the A+ requirements of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) for our annual report on Creating Shared Value. The GRI is the leading organisation in the field of non-financial reporting. It’s a non-profit organisation that promotes economic sustainability. It sets the standard for this kind of reporting and it’s tough. We are the first global food company to achieve A+ for a global sustainability report.

Creating value

So what does this mean? Take a look at our Creating Shared Value Report (pdf, 3 Mb). At Nestlé we believe that for a business to be successful over the long term it must create value for society as well as for its shareholders. We call this Creating Shared Value or CSV.

More responsive

This year’s report is more comprehensive than ever. You can find information about areas we have never reported on in detail before. Reporting to GRI A+ standard required us to work hard throughout the company to collect new data on issues like human rights, diversity and gender, climate change, biodiversity and corruption. That data is published in the report, and will be added to each year as we move forward, meaning you will be able to benchmark how we are doing in these and other areas.

Of course this wasn’t easy. It took a huge amount of time and effort to do properly. But again, let me stress, it is vital that we are transparent if we are to live up to the expectations of our stakeholders. Creating Shared Value isn’t public relations or greenwash. It is central to what we do.

IT'S THE FUTURE: This short video graphic illustrates the potential of Creating Shared Value.

Around the globe

This video (left), from the consulting firm run by Michael Porter and Mark Kramer, the two ‘architects’ of CSV, neatly encapsulates what it’s all about. At Nestlé we’ve embedded CSV in our core business strategies. But most importantly we implement it, wherever we do business around the globe.

We are training the farmers who supply us, helping them to become more productive, and to make their communities sustainable. In more than 60 countries, our Healthy Kids programmes teach basic nutrition and promote physical activity. We are producing affordable micronutrient fortified products for markets where there’s a need for them. Throughout the world we are producing more products while reducing the amount of water we use. CSV is real at Nestlé and our employees are making it happen.

Our responsibility

We will never satisfy all our critics but I hope meeting the GRI A+ reporting requirements shows that we do take seriously our responsibility to create shared value and conduct our business in a sustainable way. Our report gives you the information you need to measure us against that standard. The work on preparation for next year’s CSV report is already underway and we are already looking at how we can make our reporting even better.

Janet Voûte is Nestlé's Global Head of Public Affairs.

Insight is where you can read diverse perspectives of people in our company. If you would like to join the discussion, please visit our corporate Facebook page

Groundbreaking event marks Nestlé investment in the Philippines

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS: In his speech during the Nestlé Tanauan Factory groundbreaking ceremony, Philippine President Benigno Aquino thanked Nestlé for keeping the faith in the Philippines and the Filipinos: “The government shares your goal of Good Food, Good Life.”

A PHP 4.3 billion investment (over CHF 98 million) to construct a new Nestlé Coffee-mate and Bear Brand factory in the Philippines was marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on November 23, 2010.

Announced by the Company in July, the 27-hectare site in Tanauan, Batangas, is expected to be completed in March 2012.

Producing Coffee-mate Non-Dairy Creamer and Bear Brand Powdered Milk Drink, the facility aims to spur economic growth in the surrounding communities in the country. It will also directly employ a new work force of 170, and generate many other jobs in businesses supplying the facility with raw materials and services.

At the groundbreaking ceremony on site, John Miller, Nestlé Philippines Chairman and CEO, was joined by His Excellency, President Benigno S. Aquino III, to mark the start of the project.

Swiss Ambassador to the Philippines Ivo Sieber; Trade and Industry Secretary Gregory Domingo; Batangas Vice-Governor Mark Leviste, Tanauan City Mayor Sonia Torres-Aquino; and Santo Tomas Mayor Renato Federico, also attended the event.

Mr Miller said: “In 2011, Nestlé will celebrate one hundred years in the Philippines. It is fitting that most of the Tanauan factory’s construction will take place during Nestlé Philippines’ centennial, signifying our continuing commitment to supplying quality, Philippine made products to our valued Filipino consumers.”

“Our investments, in line with our corporate belief in Creating Shared Value for all stakeholders, also demonstrates our confidence as we look forward to the next 100 years of nurturing Filipino families by offering nutritious, health and wellness products.”

Mr Miller added that demand for the two brands – both of which are household names and market leaders – has been consistently growing over recent years, necessitating this expansion in our manufacturing base.

In addition to this latest investment, Nestlé is also continuing to invest in its four existing factories in the Philippines, focusing on technology and equipment upgrades in order to meet growing demand for its products. In 2009, Nestlé Philippines produced almost half a million metric tonnes of products including coffee, milk, beverages, non-dairy creamer, food, infant nutrition, ice cream, chilled dairy, and breakfast cereals.

Related information:
Nestlé Philippines

Gut health and obesity - The promise of pre- and probiotics

On November 4 2010, Nestlé scientist Dr Jason Chou, took part in a live Webinar on “Gut health and obesity: The promise of pre- and probiotics”, organized by Nutraingredients-USA.com.

Dr Chou, and Professor Patrice D. Cani, Universite Catholique de Louvain, Belgium, explored the scientific evidence for the role of gut microflora in health, and whether prebiotics can be useful in weight management control by modifying the gut microflora.

Häagen-Dazs combines luxury with low-fat

MADE LIKE NO OTHER: All-natural ice cream crafted with only five ingredients for a pure and balanced flavour.

Super premium ice cream brand Häagen-Dazs complements its collection of indulgent products with a simple low-fat range.

Aimed to combine pure luxury together with a healthier option, Häagen-Dazs Five is an all-natural ice cream crafted with less fat than other Häagen-Dazs ice creams.

With a recipe of only five ingredients, Häagen-Dazs ice cream includes skimmed milk, cream, sugar, egg yolks and natural flavouring, available in a variety of different flavours including mint, ginger, coffee, vanilla bean, passion fruit and milk chocolate.

The range has also recently added caramel, strawberry and lemon to its flavour line.

Created with the same proprietary Low Temperature Extrusion technology as Nestlé ice cream brand Dreyer’s Slow Churned, Häagen-Dazs developed this healthier, low-fat product in 2009.

In actively identifying a major consumer trend and desire for a pure and natural product, Häagen-Dazs has maintained its leadership within the premium ice cream category, while backing the Company’s strong health and wellness drive.

About Häagen-Dazs

Crafted in 1960 by New Yorker Reuben Mattus in his family’s dairy, Häagen-Dazs is the original super premium ice cream.

Häagen-Dazs is committed to using only all-natural ingredients in crafting the world’s finest ice cream. Offering a full range of products from ice cream to sorbet, frozen yogurt and frozen snacks in more than 65 flavours, Häagen-Dazs products are available around the globe for ice cream lovers to enjoy.

Other Nestlé premium ice cream brands include Mövenpick and Antica Gelateria del Corso.

Related information:
Häagen-Dazs USA

Happy 75th birthday Kit Kat

KIT KAT:Sold in 72 countries worldwide Kit Kat celebrates 75 years.

Three quarters of a century on from launch, Nestlé Kit Kat continues to be a recipe for success.

With around 540 Kit Kat fingers consumed every second worldwide and 17.6 billion fingers sold every year as noted by the Guinness Book of Records in March 2010, today Kit Kat proudly celebrates its 75th birthday.

The Kit Kat name originates from the late 17th century in London, where a literary club met at a pie shop owned by pastry chef Christopher Catling. The group was called the Kit Kat club and took its name from an abbreviated version of the owner’s name.

In 1911, Rowntree’s, based in York in the United Kingdom, registered the brand names Kit Cat and Kit Kat, but did not immediately use these.

In 1935 in London and the South East of the United Kingdom, the first four-fingered wafer was launched as Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp. Within 18 months however, it was rebranded by Rowntree’s marketing director George Harris, as Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp. Here, an iconic brand was born.

This marked the start of a revolution in confectionery. The snap of the chocolate coated wafer fingers became a household ritual in its home market of the UK, and then quickly all over the world as the brand was successfully launched in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada.

In 1988, the acquisition of Rowntree meant that Kit Kat came under the Nestlé umbrella, catalysing an expansion of the brand into Central & Eastern Europe, emerging Asian markets and Latin America.

A year after the acquisition, Kit Kat production extended to a new Nestlé facility in Kasumigaura in Japan. In the following decade Nestlé also set up operations in Malaysia, India and China.

For its first 64 years Kit Kat was only available in two-finger and four-finger formats. But following the successful launch of Kit Kat Chunky in 1999, which took the brand into the hunger-satisfying segment of confectionery, there have been a further series of brand innovations, the most recent being the successful launch of a more indulgent Kit Kat Senses in 2008.

Marcelo Melchior, left, Head of the Confectionery Strategic Business Unit (SBU) at Nestlé, said: “Today, we sell Kit Kat directly in 72 countries. Consumers will not find exactly the same recipe in each country, but Kit Kat has the same fundamentals; the perfect balance of chocolate and wafer with a recipe tailored to the consumers’ needs. This is then combined with consistent branding and great communication to the customer with our famous ‘Have a break, have a Kit Kat.’ advertising line. These are the ingredients for its on-going success.”

Timeline: Kit Kat is born

Download Kit Kat 75 years full circle(pdf, 824 Kb)

Late 17th century: A literary and political club met at a pie shop in central London, owned by Christopher Catling. The group was called the Kit Kat club, which took its name from an abbreviated version of the owner.

1911: Rowntree, a major confectionery business based in York in the UK registers the names Kit Cat and Kit Kat.

1920s: Rowntree launched a brand of boxed chocolates named Kit Cat.

1930s: Rowntree concentrated on strong assortment brands, Black Magic and Dairy Box. Kit Cat was eventually phased out.

August 29th 1935: First manufacture of the four-finger wafer in York. This is then sold in London and the South East of England as Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.

1937: George Harris, Marketing Director for Rowntree, re-branded the product as Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp. This year also heralds the first use of the word ‘Break’ in Kit Kat advertising.

1942: During the Second World War due to a shortage of ingredients including milk, Rowntree altered the recipe of Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp. The wrapper was changed to blue and the oval logo was removed along with the Chocolate Crisp. Kit Kat was written in bold.

1949: Kit Kat returned to its original milk recipe and the glory of its red wrapper.

1950s: International expansion in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada

1958: Donald Gilles, executive at advertising agency JWT London, creates the classic advertising line: ‘Have a Break, Have a Kit Kat’

1960s: Two-finger multi-pack was born. This new packaging format drives sales in the new supermarkets with increased home stocking by consumers.

1970s: Expansion of Kit Kat in Europe with manufacturing commencing in Hamburg, Germany

Kit Kat brand was boosted by an agreement with Hershey Corp. to sell the brand under licence in the USA.

An agreement is struck to sell Kit Kat in Japan with confectionery company Fujiya

1988: Nestlé acquires Rowntree

1989: Kit Kat production begins in a new Nestlé facility in Kasumigaura, Japan

1990s: Manufacturing operations set up in Malaysia, India, China.

1996: Kit Kat Orange, the first flavour variant, is launched in the UK

1999: Kit Kat Chunky launched in the UK, is an instant hit and quickly rolled into other developed markets.

2000: Nestlé buys Fujiya’s share in Japan

2000s: Manufacturing operations set up in Bulgaria, Russia, Turkey and Venezuela.

2002: Kit Kat Chunky expanded to Central and Eastern Europe

2005: Kit Kat Pop Choc launched

2007: Kit Kat Singles launched in Canada (later rolled into Malaysia and Western Europe)

2008: Kit Kat Senses launched in Europe and Canada

2010: 75 years of Kit Kat

Related information:
Kit Kat 75 years full circle(pdf, 824 Kb)
Photos on Flickr

New study reveals benefits of multi-micronutrient-fortified milk and cereals

FORTIFIED MILK: Multi-micronutrient fortification was associated with a significant increase in haemoglobin in young children’s blood.

Milk and cereal products fortified with iron and a combination of other micronutrients are more likely to help reduce iron-deficiency anaemia in children than foods fortified with iron alone, according to a new study commissioned by Nestlé.

Researchers from the Winterthur Institute of Health Economics in Switzerland analysed the combined results of 18 published trials involving a total of more than 5,400 children.

They found consumption of milk and cereal products fortified with iron and other micronutrients - such as zinc and vitamin A - were associated with a significant increase in the level of haemoglobin in young children’s blood.

Anaemia - the state of having too few red blood cells and therefore too little haemoglobin - is commonly caused by a lack of iron in the diet.

The researchers found single iron-fortified products increased haemoglobin levels significantly more than similar non-fortified products.

However, multi-micronutrient-fortified milk and cereals produced even more significant increases in haemoglobin than their single iron-fortified counterparts.

The study, published in the Bio Med Central Public Health journal, is believed to be the first analysis of the combined results of published studies examining the effect of micronutrient-fortified milk and cereals on the blood haemoglobin of children from the age of six months up to three years.

Selection criteria

The researchers identified about 1,000 potentially relevant trials from the last 45 years to pinpoint those suitable to include in the study.

The 18 trials they finally identified to analyse in the study were conducted in Africa, Asia, South and Central America and Europe.

The average age of the children who took part in each trial ranged from six months to two years. The number of children involved varied from 33 to more than 1,000.

The majority came from low income groups in rural communities, or communities on the outskirts of urban areas.

Following guidelines

The researchers followed current guidelines for the performing and reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses - studies that combine the results of several different scientific investigations examining a set of related theories.

They used Medline, the United States’ National Library of Medicine's main bibliographic database, and the Cochrane Collection , an internationally recognised online collection of healthcare research, as their primary sources of material.

They assessed the risk of bias in individual trials by analysing the quality of the methodology and the completeness of the reported results.

Iron deficiency

Young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency because they need higher levels of the mineral for growth.

The consequences of long-term lack of iron in the diet can include impaired mental development in children, decreased physical work capacity and impaired immune function.

The researchers’ findings help to explain in biological terms why multiple, rather than single, micronutrient deficiencies are responsible for a variety of health problems.

Nestlé and micronutrient fortification

The study was commissioned by Nestlé and the Nestlé Nutrition Institute.

Nestlé has more than 140 years’ experience in improving the micronutrient profile of food products through fortification.

The company’s first fortified product was an iron-enriched version of its founder Henri Nestlé’s original infant cereal ‘Farine Lactée’, launched in 1867.

Today, Nestlé offers a range of products around the world fortified with micronutrients including iron and vitamin A.

The company’s dairy business makes fortified, affordable milks available in more than 80 countries around the world, where they are largely consumed by pre-school children.

Nestlé Nutrition Institute

The Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI) is a non-profit organisation based in Switzerland.

It is committed to fostering 'science for better nutrition', by sharing scientific information and educational materials with health professionals, scientists and nutrition communities in an interactive way.

The NNI’s activities have included events to discuss the latest scientific research into the global burden of micronutrient deficiencies.

Nestlé supports Romania’s first national educational initiative for healthier kids

I'M LIVING HEALTHY TOO! New campaign aims to communicate the benefits of balanced nutrition and regular exercise to more than 50,000 Romanian children this year.

Nestlé supported this week's launch of Romania’s first national educational programme aimed at preventing obesity and promoting healthier lifestyles among school age children.

Part of the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme, the “I’m living healthy, too!” initiative aims to communicate the benefits of balanced nutrition and regular exercise to more than 50,000 Romanian children in its first year.

Nestlé Romania will work in partnership with the Romanian Ministries of Health and Education, and the Romanian Olympic Committee, to implement the initiative.

Pupils up to the age of 12 years will receive free educational books with information on better nutrition and how to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily lives.

Major activity days will take place in schools, with open lessons given by Olympic sportsmen, nutritionists and students from sports science universities.

A new educational website, www.sets.ro has also been created. With separate sections for children and their families, it includes video interviews with scientists, Olympic sportsmen, and articles from key opinion leaders in the field.

All schools involved in “I’m living healthy, too!” via Romania’s Sport and Entertainment Clubs network will be supported in developing permanent after-school clubs for children to take part in different physical activities.

The “I’m living healthy, too!” initiative will be developed over a period of five years with the aim of reaching a total of 250,000 school pupils and their families.

At the end of each year, evaluations will be made at school level to monitor lifestyle changes.

Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme

The objective of the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme is to raise the nutrition, health and wellness awareness of school age children around the world.

Healthy Kids programmes are based on multi-partnership approaches. They are designed and implemented in collaboration with national health authorities, child nutrition experts, or education authorities and health experts.

Nestlé teams up with Hispanic mothers to share tips on family life

RAISING A FAMILY: The bloggers have plenty of ideas for involving a whole family in activities.

Nestlé has teamed up with a group of mothers in the United States to offer Hispanic consumers tips on parenting and healthier eating.

The company has invited four women who blog on the subject of Hispanic family life to contribute to its new bilingual website El Mejor Nido (The Best Nest).

They write in English and Spanish for the website about their experiences of raising a family in a multi-cultural environment.

Growing number of fans

Their entries appear alongside varied content from Nestlé, which has created El Mejor Nido as part of its commitment to nutrition, health and wellness.

Almost 130,000 people have already signed up to receive the bloggers’ latest posts and other regular communications from the website.

Diverse voices

“We wanted to bring diverse voices together to create a platform where Hispanic consumers can discuss the issues that matter to them about family life,” said Nadine Sterba of Nestlé USA’s emerging markets division.

“Mothers from all walks of life have traditionally enjoyed getting together to learn from each other. Sharing these experiences online is a natural extension of this behaviour.”

The four bloggers; Joselyn Campbell, Ericka Sanchez, Liz Cerezo and Dariela Cruz; are all United States citizens of Hispanic origin.

“Family is central”

With a total of nine children between them, they have plenty of ideas for involving a whole family in activities such as exercising outdoors or preparing meals.

“Family is central to Hispanic consumers’ lives. Food often plays an essential role in preserving their heritage for future generations,” continued Ms. Sterba.

“The website is not only a source of parenting information. It is also a resource for nutrition tips, recipes, cooking videos and facts about Nestlé brands.”

Mothers from all walks of life have traditionally enjoyed getting together to learn from each other. Sharing these experiences online is a natural extension of this behaviour. Nadine Sterba, Nestlé USA’s emerging markets division.

Multi-cultural living

Around 50 million Hispanic people live in the United States, where they represent more than 16% of the national population.

They are the country’s largest ethnic minority, descending from Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

“Hispanic consumers live a blended lifestyle,” explained Ms Sterba. “They are proud to be American but they are also very proud of their Hispanic identity.”

“We want to connect with our consumers by recognising what is important to them and understanding that they want to embrace the best of what any culture has to offer.”

Spanish language

To reach the 76% of Hispanics who regularly watch Spanish language television, Nestlé has also produced a series of El Mejor Nido television commercials in Spanish.

They demonstrate how the company’s wide range of products available in the United States can meet Hispanic consumers’ everyday needs.

Nestlé Chairman receives honorary degree

LEADERSHIP: Peter Brabeck-Letmathe speaking at the University of Alberta

Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe has received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta in Canada.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe received the honour for his leadership in driving dialogue and policy changes in the area of water resource management.

The university said the award recognised Mr Brabeck-Letmathe’s “decision to use his exceptional position within the global corporate sector to engage government and business leaders on the critical issues of water resource scarcity and security.”

Vocal advocate

An active and vocal advocate for better management of water resources, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe has highlighted global water issues for business and governments around the world.

As well as being a member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum, he co-authored the 2030 Water Resources Group report 'Charting our Water Future'.

“I personally will continue to invest all my available time and energy to help find pragmatic solutions to the problem which I consider mankind’s most pressing: the global water crisis,” said Mr Brabeck-Letmathe on accepting the award.

“It is in this context that I am proud and thankful to be the recipient of the highest honour of the distinguished University of Alberta.”

Nestlé “part of the solution”

In an earlier speech to the Edmonton School of Business in Alberta, Mr Brabeck reiterated Nestlé’s standpoint on water.

“You may think that this is mainly about the action of others, but Nestlé has been, and will be, part of the solution,” he said.

The University of Alberta has historically awarded honorary degrees to people across the world whose accomplishments it believes have had a major impact on a diversity of professions and areas of expertise, as well as society as a whole.

Other recipients

Mr Brabeck was one of three candidates to receive an Honorary Degree from the university this year.

He was awarded alongside Steve Hrudey, Professor Emeritus in Analytical and Environmental Toxicology at the University of Alberta, and Sunita Narain, a writer and environmentalist from the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi, India.

Honorary Senator title for Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer

KEYNOTE SPEECH: Prof. Dr.- Ing. Bauer explained how nutrition can provide solutions to certain diseases. Photo credit: Astrid Eckert / Technische Universitaet Muenchen.

Werner Bauer, Nestlé’s Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, has been named as an Honorary Senator of Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich: TUM).

Mr Bauer received the prestigious award in recognition of his long-standing contribution to the University, of which Nestlé is a Partner of Excellence.

He was acknowledged for his role in establishing the TUM Universitätsstiftung (TUM Foundation) – a fund created in July 2010 to support the University’s main study fields of engineering, natural sciences and economics.

As one of only three people selected for the honour, Mr Bauer was invited to give the keynote speech at the TUM’s Dies Academicus, the annual celebration of achievement ceremony at the beginning of December.

Addressing an audience of around 1,000 alumni, researchers, academics, students and VIP guests, he made the case for nutrition as the basis of a “forward-looking health economy”.

Citing the “unsustainable burden” that population growth and extended life-expectancy will place on the world’s health systems, Mr Bauer explained how nutrition can provide solutions to diseases such as obesity, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

He went on to emphasise that personalised nutrition and epigenetics –the study of how genetic information is expressed and inherited – will become increasingly important in the nutritional aspects of managing conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Phenylketonuria (PKU) and Dysphagia.

HONORARY SENATOR: Prof. Dr.- Ing. Werner Bauer, left, receives his award from TUM President Prof. Wolfgang Herrmann. Photo credit: Astrid Eckert / Technische Universitaet Muenchen.

Mr Bauer also referred to the increasing importance of agricultural technologies, such as fortified grains, in helping to overcome diseases caused by micronutrient deficiencies.

As former full professor at TUM and joint Director of the University’s Fraunhofer Institute for Food Technology & Packaging, Mr Bauer also holds the title of Honorary Professor in recognition of his outstanding commitment to education.

He has been pivotal in forging Nestlé’s partnership with the TUM, which sees the Company provide financial support and expertise to a number of faculties, including the dedicated nutrition department.

With six Nobel Prizes, the TUM has built a reputation as a pioneering academic institution since its inception in 1868. Repeatedly ranking as the number one German university in various tables, it is comprised of 13 faculties with more than 25,000 students, 460 professors, and around 6,500 academic and non-academic staff.

Related information:
Technischen Universität München (TUM)
Nestlé R&D

Nestlé uses avalanche research to create better ice cream

SNOW PROPERTIES: Avalanche experts monitor the evolution of ice crystals in snow.

Nestlé is using the same specialised technology avalanche experts use to study snow to improve the quality of its ice cream.

The company’s scientists are working with the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Switzerland (SLF) to examine the microscopic ice crystals found in both snow and ice cream.

Their research relies on the only x-ray tomography machine in the world that allows long-term observation of tiny particles in a substance at temperatures of zero to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

Experts at the SLF monitor the evolution of ice crystals in snow and how this affects its properties: key factors for understanding avalanche formation.

Ice crystals affect the properties of ice cream in a similar way, altering its texture and structure as they grow and change shape.

The collaboration aims to help Nestlé to solve a universal problem for all ice cream manufacturers: how to maintain the product’s original texture and structure for longer.

Unstable substance

“Ice cream is an inherently unstable substance,” said Dr Hans Jörg Limbach, a scientist at the Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland.

“As part of its natural ageing process, the ice will separate from the original ingredients such as cream and sugar.

“When you store ice cream in the freezer at home for a prolonged period, you will eventually see ice crystals begin to form in the product. This is water from the ice cream itself,” he added.

Improved product for consumers

Across the ice cream industry, consumer feedback about boxed ice cream that is stored in the freezer often relates to its texture and appearance.

“We know temperature variations are not good for ice cream quality,” Dr Limbach continued. “These variations can occur at different stages of the product’s transportation and storage.

“For example, most home freezers are set at minus 18 degrees Celsius, but the temperature doesn’t remain constant.

“It fluctuates by a couple of degrees in either direction, which causes parts of the ice cream to melt and then freeze again. The ice cream can sometimes become chewy due to loss of water or air, or icier and harder to scoop.

“At Nestlé we work extremely hard on our ice cream recipes to ensure their stability and quality under this kind of temperature variation, but we are always looking for ways to make them even more robust,” he added.

MICROSCOPIC PARTICLES: Nestlé scientist Cédric Dubois (left) studies the tiny particles found in ice cream.

Experts in low temperatures

The x-ray machine allows Nestlé to record the size and shape of ice crystals and air bubbles in ice cream under home-freezer conditions.

“It’s very difficult to examine material at around minus 20 degrees,” said Nestlé scientist Dr Cédric Dubois, who also works on the study.

“X-ray technology is normally used at room temperature, but this machine works within exactly the right range for frozen food.”

“Previously, we could not look inside ice cream without destroying the sample in the process. This method is non-invasive and does not disturb the product.”

Applying fundamental research

The study found that as some ice crystals grow in size they fuse together, creating bigger crystals which cause the texture of the ice cream to coarsen.

“We already know the growth of ice crystals in ice cream is triggered by a number of different factors,” added Dr Dubois.

“If we can identify the main mechanism, we can find better ways to slow it down.”

Follow-up study

Nestlé’s scientists’ findings have recently been published online in the journal Soft Matter.

A follow-up study is now underway with the SLF and a research group at the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland. This will give the scientists access to technology that should enable them to examine even higher resolution images of the microscopic particles in ice cream.

Nestlé supports interactive Red Cross TEDx event

WORLD CHANGING IDEAS: TED events feature small groups of inspiring speakers.

Nestlé is supporting the first-ever interactive global event by the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The Technology Entertainment and Design (TED) events feature a small group of speakers who present potentially ‘world changing’ ideas.

Co-hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the TEDx RC² event in Geneva, Switzerland, will discuss some of the world's toughest humanitarian challenges such as natural disasters and the impact of war.

Nestlé is one of 12 sponsors of the event which will be webcast in Arabic, French, English and Spanish on Sunday, November 27, from 16h00 until 18h00 CET.

Speakers including Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre will provide presentations on the theme "Multiplying the power of humanity".

Around 500 invitees are expected to attend.

Rural communities

As part of Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value activities, last year the company signed a new partnership with the IFRC renewing their collaboration for the next three years.

The renewed partnership focuses on helping rural communities in Côte d’Ivoire.

It seeks to improve health and hygiene among schoolchildren, teachers and communities in the country through its water and sanitation programme.

It is providing access to clean drinking water and sanitation, as well as offering training and community programmes.

Food security

The partnership is also focusing on the area of food security.

It is developing tools and technical support using Nestlé’s expertise.

The partnership is also organising workshops and improving external advocacy on food security issues.

In addition, Nestlé’s sponsors and supports of the production of the IFRC’s annual World Disasters Report.

Nestlé and the IFRC

CLEAN WATER: Nestlé and the IFRC help rural communities in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Nestlé and IFRC collaboration was first signed and formally established in 2002.

As part of the partnership Nestlé was the Nestlé was the founding corporate sponsor of the Africa Health Initiative.

The partnership was then extended for another four years in 2006.

Nestlé supported projects relating to the International Federation’s Global Water and Sanitation Initiative (GWSI).

IFRC

IFRC is the world's largest humanitarian network with nearly 100 million members, volunteers and supporters in 187 National Societies covering nearly every country in the world.

ICRC

The ICRC works worldwide to provide humanitarian help for people affected by conflict and armed violence and to promote the laws that protect victims of war.

TED

TED is a non-profit organisation devoted to ‘Ideas Worth Spreading’.

First launched 26 years ago as a four-day conference in the United States, TED has grown to support world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives.

At TED, the world's leading thinkers are asked to present in 18 minutes or less. Talks are then made available, free, at TED.com.

TEDx

TEDx events are local, self-organised events where ‘x’ equals an independently organised TED event.

Nestlé celebrates 100 years in India

LOCAL COMMUNITIES: Nestlé plays an active role in Indian society.

Nestlé is celebrating a century of deep engagement in a country which over that period has proven its potential to be one of Asia’s economic superpowers.

Nestlé’s first sales agents in India began work in Chennai and Kolkata in 1912.

Today, the company directly employs 6,000 people in India and more than half a million indirectly.

Its products are sold in more than 3.5 million outlets across the country.

Growth potential

Nestlé recorded sales of CHF 1.4 billion in India in 2010. Its most popular brands are Maggi, the country’s leader in instant noodles, and Nescafé instant coffee.

Nandu Nandkishore, Nestlé’s Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East thinks there is much potential for further growth.

“India is a success story in the making,” he said. “It has a large, progressive population.

“Consumers trust our products for their high quality. Opportunities will continue to grow as more and more people want to buy nutritious, branded food and beverages.”

MOST POPULAR: Nescafé is the leading instant coffee in India.

Investment

Nestlé India has invested USD 500 million to increase its capacities over the last two years.

This includes CHF 70 million in a new manufacturing site in Nanjangud to produce Maggi products.

The construction of Nestlé’s eighth factory in Tahliwal, Himachal Pradesh, is progressing rapidly. Existing factory sites in Moga, Samalkha, Ponda and Bicholim are also being expanded.

Nestlé S.A. is investing CHF 50 million in a new research and development centre in Manesar, Haryana, which will become operational towards the end of 2012.

Scientific expertise

India faces significant nutritional challenges.

The majority of Indian women and children suffer from basic micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc.

At the same time a large proportion of the population also suffers from non-communicable diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Mr Nandkishore believes that tackling the double burden of under and over nutrition will make a positive impact on India’s productivity and that Nestlé has a role to play in this.

“Nestlé is an integral part of India,” he continued. “Our unmatched research and development capabilities have enabled us to create products which offer improved, affordable nutrition to consumers in all segments of Indian society.”

“With our expertise in science based nutrition, we can contribute significantly to improving Indian consumers’ health and wellbeing, as well as creating value for the economy.”

FIRST FACTORY: Nestlé built its manufacturing site in Moga in 1961.

Addressing micronutrient deficiency

Nestlé is helping to address micronutrient deficiency among lower income consumers in India and other emerging markets with its affordable, fortified ‘Popularly Positioned Products’ (PPP).

Nestlé’s PPPs are smaller or ‘daily-portion’ packs designed to be bought on a regular basis. They are manufactured locally, using local raw materials to minimise value chain costs.

PPP products in India include the iron-, iodine- and vitamin A-fortified Maggi Masala-ae-Magic spice mix and Maggi 2-Minute Noodles with added calcium and protein.

Nestlé India has a factory in Uttarakhand dedicated to PPP production. Nestlé S.A's new R&D centre in Manesar will also work predominately on PPPs.

Rural development

Nestlé built its first Indian factory in Moga in 1961, developing milk production in the region. The company now has seven factories in the country.

Over the years, Nestlé has helped to develop the area around that first factory, setting up milk collection points and training farmers to improve productivity and quality.

The company’s agronomists provide farmers with technical support to improve sustainable water management, including help with irrigation and rainwater harvesting.

Nestlé India has built more than 160 drinking water fountains in schools near its factory in Moga, providing about 65,000 students with access to clean water.

The company has also improved the sanitation facilities in girls’ schools close to the factory to encourage young women to continue with their education.

These efforts are part of what Nestlé calls ‘Creating Shared Value’, an approach to business that aims to create value for shareholders at the same time as for those communities where the company operates.

Nestlé Forum discusses shared value creation in Indonesia

DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE PARTNERSHIPS: Nestlé provides coffee farmers in Indonesia (above) with technical assistance and training.

International experts discussed the challenge of closing inequality gaps in Indonesian society at a Creating Shared Value (CSV) Forum held by Nestlé in Jakarta today.

More than 200 representatives from business, government, civil society and academia attended Nestlé Indonesia’s second CSV Forum, which focused on nutrition and rural development.

The Forum, part of a series organised by Nestlé in a selection of countries where it operates, encouraged the exchange of ideas on how the private and public sector can create social value through sustainable partnerships.

Frits van Dijk, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East attended the event, where he explained how Creating Shared Value is an intrinsic part of the Company’s business strategy.

He said: “We believe that for a company to be successful over time and create value for its shareholders, it must also create value along our value chain for all stakeholders, be they employees; suppliers such as dairy, coffee and cocoa farmers; the communities surrounding our locations; consumers, the government and society at large.

“Based on strong foundations of legal and regulatory compliance and sustainable business practices, this is our basic way of doing business.”

Mark R. Kramer, an internationally renowned Corporate Social Responsibility expert from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, in the United States, also took part.

He outlined why Creating Shared Value has become a compelling model for businesses to leverage their core activities and partnerships for the joint benefit of society and shareholders.

According to Mr Kramer, Nestlé is “one of the companies which understands the concept of CSV and has implemented it in a meaningful way that provides significant social value.”

At the Forum, Nestlé Indonesia also launched its CSV Report for 2010. Produced according to Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines for sustainability reporting, the report tracks the Company’s positive impact on Indonesian society.

PROMOTING NUTRITION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS AWARENESS: Nestlé’s Healthy Kids programme in Indonesia involves more than 8,000 school children and 400 school teachers.

It highlights initiatives such as Nestlé’s Healthy Kids programme, which was rolled out in Indonesia in 2010.

Designed and implemented in collaboration with national health authorities, child nutrition experts, or education authorities and health experts, Nestlé’s Healthy Kids programme aims to raise the nutrition, health and wellness awareness of school age children around the world.

In Indonesia, the programme now reaches 31 elementary schools in 12 cities and involves more than 8,000 school children and 400 school teachers.

Related news articles:
Fox Business: 'Nestlé keeps eye on nutrition'

New research to help improve inflammatory bowel disease treatment management

EARLY DIAGNOSIS: New research confirms the effectiveness of a new diagnostic test designed to improve treatment management for patients with IBD

Prometheus Laboratories, a company acquired by Nestlé Health Science, has presented new research that confirms the effectiveness of its new diagnostic test designed to improve treatment management for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The test is designed to predict inflammatory bowel disease activity and measure the impact of infliximab, a drug used by patients to help prevent inflammation.

Over time, some of them become less responsive to the drug so it is vital for medical practitioners to be able to diagnose this early on so a different course of treatment can be found.

The data, reported by the company at this year’s Digestive Disease Week event in San Diego, in the United States, provides evidence of the effectiveness of the company’s new monitoring test which will be launched later this year.

Improving patients’ lives

Nestlé Health Science acquired Prometheus Laboratories mid 2011.

Prometheus specialises in diagnostics and in-licensed specialty pharmaceuticals in gastroenterology and oncology and focuses on conditions such as IBD.

“We are proud to continue to lead the way towards personalised medicine,” said Joseph M. Limber, President and Chief Executive Officer for Prometheus Laboratories.

“We are committed to continue to advance our innovative technology platforms and partner with the gastrointestinal community to help bring valuable products to the market with the goal of continuing to improve patients’ lives,” he added.

Effective treatment

The test should help ensure patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disorders can be treated effectively.

These include ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease which typically cause abdominal pain, fever and diarrhoea.

IBD is clinically difficult to diagnose and manage, with many patients requiring long term medical care. Currently the disease has no cure.

Recent statistics from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America estimate that about 1.4 million people in the country suffer from the disease.

We are proud to continue to lead the way towards personalised medicine. Joseph M. Limber, President and Chief Executive Officer for Prometheus Laboratories

Nestlé Health Science

The new research into how to manage IBD supports Nestlé Health Science’s long-term vision and ambition to develop science-based personalised nutritional solutions.

The company, established last year, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nestlé.

Building on its core HealthCare Nutrition business, Nestlé Health Science offers nutritional solutions for people with specific dietary needs related to illnesses, disease states or special challenges of different life stages.

Nestlé Health Science has access to external scientific and technological know-how through Nestlé’s innovation network as well as a number of venture capital funds in which the group has interests.

Related information:
Nestlé Health Science website
Prometheus press release PDF (pdf, 180 Kb)

Read more about Prometheus and Nestlé Health Science:
Nestlé Health Science acquires leading US gastrointestinal diagnostics company
Prometheus partners with the Medco Research Institute

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Prometheus Laboratories Inc.
Beth Kriegel
Vice President, Finance & Strategy
001 (858) 410-2516

Investment of CHF 35 million in breakfast cereals factory in Malaysia

COOKIE CRISP: One of five best-selling Nestlé cereal brands to be manufactured at the new Cereal Partners Worldwide factory in Malaysia.

Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW), a joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills, will invest CHF 35 million over two years in the construction of a new breakfast cereals factory in Malaysia.

The factory - due to begin production in 2012 - will make best-selling Nestlé breakfast cereal brands Koko Krunch, Honey Stars, Cookie Crisp, Koko Krunch Duo and Milo, for consumers in Malaysia, and for export to Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

Located in Chembong, Negeri Sembilan, the 6,500 metre square factory will enable the local production of Nestlé breakfast cereals for the first time in Malaysia, which are currently being imported.

Frits van Dijk, Nestlé’s Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East (AOA), explained why Malaysia was selected as the factory’s location.

He said: “In addition to spreading the production base throughout the region, Malaysia was selected based on the readily available quality local ingredients as well as for the country’s investment friendly environment and infrastructure.

“Having a factory in Negeri Sembilan also means that we are producing the breakfast cereals right here in Malaysia, which is one of the most important markets in the region. This will create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, so benefiting Malaysian society.”

The new factory, which will source up to 80% of its raw materials from local suppliers, will be built based on policies for environmental sustainability adopted by both partners in the CPW venture, and in full compliance with environmental legislation.

JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS: L-R: Peter R. Vogt, Managing Director, Nestlé Malaysia; Sri Mustapa Bin Mohamed, Malaysian Minister of International Trade and Industry; Frits van Dijk, Nestlé Executive Vice President & Director of Zone AOA & Middle East; and Wen Wen Wang, Regional Director of CPW Asia.

Cereal Partners Worldwide

The new factory will be the third CPW cereals production centre in Asia, as Nestlé breakfast products in the region continue to increase in popularity.

The two other factories are in Lipa, in the Philippines, and in Tianjin, China. They will maintain existing production capacities for their respective domestic markets, as well as for export to other Asian countries.

The new factory will be built next to an existing Nestlé factory in Chembong, which produces popular confectionery brands including Kit Kat.

Related information:
Nestlé Malaysia

Nestlé helps address micronutrient deficiency in Africa with new Maggi cube

FORTIFIED SEASONING: Nestlé sells millions of Maggi cubes and tablets in Africa every day.

Millions of consumers across Central and West Africa will be able to increase their iron intake at low cost with a new range of fortified bouillon cubes and tablets from Nestlé.

The company is adding iron to its popular Maggi brand seasonings with the aim of helping to address one of the region’s most widespread micronutrient deficiencies.

Maggi bouillons are a staple part of many lower income consumers’ diets in Central and West Africa.

Already fortified with iodine, more than 100 million cubes and tablets were sold every day in the region in 2011.

Reducing micro-nutrient deficiency

Nestlé’s development of the iron-fortified Maggi bouillon is a continuation of its commitment to helping to reduce micronutrient deficiencies on a global scale.

Worldwide, through micronutrient fortification of food products, Nestlé provided 53 billion servings of iron, 102 billion servings of iodine, 35 billion servings of vitamin A and 14 billion servings of zinc in 2011.

Maggi bouillons can be bought in two formats - 4g cubes or 10g tablets - either individually or in packs. They are consumed in a variety of traditional dishes.

“If you look at the number of bouillon units Nestlé sells in this region every day, there is enormous potential for us to make a positive impact on local consumers’ diets,” said Maarten Geraets, Business Executive Manager for Maggi in Central and West Africa.

“The fortification of commonly consumed food products such as bouillon cubes, flour, and milk has been shown to help prevent micronutrient deficiencies. A single Maggi cube can serve two or more people,” he continued.

The company plans to roll out the new bouillon cubes across sub-Saharan Africa over the coming months, starting in Nigeria.

Appropriate fortification

Iron is part of the red blood cells, specifically the protein hemoglobin, which carry oxygen through the blood. Anaemia - the state of having too little hemoglobin in the blood - is mostly caused by a lack of iron in the diet.

In some countries in Central and West Africa up to 90% of children are anaemic. In Nigeria the problem affects more than three quarters of preschool-age children.

If you look at the number of bouillon units Nestlé sells in this region every day, there is enormous potential for us to make a positive impact on local consumers’ diets. Maarten Geraets, Business Executive Manager for Maggi, Central and West Africa

The consequences of long-term iron deficiency can include impaired mental development in children, decreased physical work capacity and impaired immune function.

Young children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to iron deficiency because they need higher levels of the mineral for growth.

Nestlé collaborates with scientists on a global and regional level to fortify appropriate food products according to local needs.

In Nigeria, Nestlé will support the launch of the iron-fortified Maggi cubes and tablets with communications activities to raise awareness locally about the health implications of micronutrient deficiency.

The company has produced simple educational materials such as pocket cards and fact sheets in Nigeria’s three main languages.

It will conduct a long-term evaluation of the impact of the Maggi bouillon's introduction to local consumers’ diets on their health status and quality of life.

Across Central and West Africa, Nestlé provides consumers with information to help them cook and eat nutritious food with fresh ingredients through its Maggi-branded activities in the region.

Related information
Nestlé Central and West Africa website
Maggi

Read more about Nestlé and micronutrient fortification
Nestlé drives nutrition with ‘Cooking Caravans’ in Africa
Nestlé’s new fortified milks provide added nutritional value in Brazil
Nestlé Nutrition Institute workshop focuses on micronutrient deficiencies

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Jenny Craig announces new Metabolic Max Program to measure calories and monitor physical activity

PERSONALISED NUTRITION: A Jenny Craig consultant works with a client wearing the BodyMedia FIT™ Armband, which measures energy expended.

Jenny Craig this week launched the new Metabolic Max Program that allows clients to monitor and increase physical activity by accurately measuring calories burned through an innovative armband worn throughout the day.

The Metabolic Max Program is the next generation of the signature Jenny Craig program because it incorporates the BodyMedia FIT™ Armband and BodyMedia FIT™ Activity Manager data, giving consultants and clients accurate information about calories burned, as well as giving clients online tools to self-monitor their caloric intake and activity levels.

In a client’s weekly one-on-one consultation, the consultant reviews the client’s caloric intake and activity levels for the week, and adjusts the program according to the client's unique metabolism to help them maximise their weight loss efforts.

“We have always been able to monitor the amount of ‘calories in’ with our pre-portioned meals and nutritional plans, but we are the only weight loss company to offer a personalised approach to monitor calories in and measure the amount of calories out with the Metabolic Max Program,” said Patti Larchet, CEO of Jenny Craig, Inc. “Achieving weight loss goals requires more than a diet; it requires a comprehensive food-body-mind approach that leads to lifestyle changes.”

Read the Jenny Craig press release: Jenny Craig Announces Revolutionary New Metabolic Max Program Personalized To Metabolism (pdf, 35 Kb)

About Jenny Craig

The Nestlé-owned US domiciled company Jenny Craig offers a comprehensive Food-Body-Mind program designed to help clients manage their weight by creating a healthy relationship with food, building an active lifestyle and developing a balanced approach to living.

With more than 5 million clients over the past 10 years, Jenny Craig operates in more than 725 weight loss centres in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Puerto Rico.

Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Jenny Craig was founded in 1983 in Melbourne, Australia, and started operating in the United States in 1985. Jenny Craig was acquired by Nestlé in 2006.

Related information:
Jenny Craig
Jenny Craig - Metabolic Max

Join the ‘hottest party of the summer’ with Perrier’s new digital campaign

ARRIVING AT LE CLUB: Aiming to create a huge buzz around the globe – appealing to consumers aged 25-35 years old – the video takes the viewer into Le Club Perrier night club party scene.

Perrier creates a buzz worldwide with the launch of its new daring and provocative digital campaign.

Nestlé’s super premium sparkling bottled water brand unveiled the interactive 20-second video trailer on YouTube last week.

Aiming to create a huge buzz around the globe – appealing to consumers aged 25-35 years old – the video takes the viewer into Le Club Perrier night club party scene.

In this innovative campaign, the viewer is enticed with the question: ‘Can You Handle the Heat?’. One click later and the viewer virtually enters the night club to the sounds of feverish electro-pop and the sensual voice of singer Venus.

As the number of online viewers grows, users will be able to discover six new videos each detailing different scenarios in Le Club Perrier. The videos show more and more people entering the night club, taking viewers into the night where the party becomes hotter, crazier and steamier.

As the temperature starts to rise, party goers get hot, the atmosphere is intense and the entire scene is melting… Perrier then becomes the ultimate refreshment.

The campaign – in collaboration with French advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather – was launched worldwide for the first time in unison in Canada, the United States and France, on the web and television. After going live, it notched up over three million hits after seven days.

Le Club Perrier was also placed on YouTube’s advertising masthead on its homepage during the weekend with an aim to boost the brand’s reach.

Gauthier Gay, International Brand Manager for Perrier, was optimistic about the amplification of the campaign, and said: “Each day, 50 million people in the United States, nine million in Canada and six million in France view YouTube’s homepage. This means that they were also able to view Le Club Perrier.”

Extending the buzz

Taking the campaign one step further, Le Club Perrier will also be available on iPhone with an interactive advert that looks set to reach millions of Apple users.

In addition, on the Perrier Facebook page, the brand will engage with its fans through this social media channel by encouraging video-sharing. Those who share the videos with their friends will exclusively be able to see the next video before ahead of other viewers.

Furthermore, fans will be able to apply on the brand’s Facebook page to win a unique opportunity to take part in the live seventh and final Le Club Perrier party, which will take place on September 20 in New York.

Mr Gay explained why consumers are at the heart of the campaign’s success for a digital campaign such as Le Club Perrier, and added: “We’ve geared Le Club Perrier campaign so that viewers share the videos as much as possible. Each time a viewer shares a video, it means free additional contacts for the brand – what we call ‘earned media’, as opposed to paying for media such as television ads.”

Quenching the thirst

Le Club Perrier digital campaign was based on the brand’s multi award-winning Melting communications campaign, launched in 2009.

LE CLUB: After going live, it notched up over three million hits after seven days.

Fabienne Bravard, Sparkling Waters Brand Director, for the Perrier Business Unit in France, explained: “Le Club Perrier is a different expression of the Melting platform. It shows people’s thirst for Perrier growing, not only because of the outside temperature like in the Melting campaign, but also because the nightclub’s atmosphere is getting steamier.”

Perrier

Perrier Sparkling Natural Spring Water comes from a source in the south of France, located near the small village of Vergeze, in Provence.

Sparkling Natural Spring Water comes from a source in the south of France, located near the small village of Vergeze, in Provence.

The spring's unique balance of minerals and strong bubbles provides its distinctively unique and refreshing taste experience. It is this singular blend of gasses and minerals which have made Perrier the world's most requested carbonated spring water.

Related links:

Watch Le Club Perrier video trailer:
English
French

Join Le Club Perrier on YouTube:
www.youtube.com/perrier

Watch the Perrier Melting video:
Perrier Melting 2009 video

Join Le Club Perrier on Facebook:
www.facebook.com/perrier

Kit Kat arrives in Brazil

Nestlé’s popular chocolate brand Kit Kat looks set to arrive in Brazil.

Brazilians will have the opportunity to “Have a Break” and “Have a Kit Kat” when the original milk chocolate with crunchy wafer confectionery snack lands in the country on July 1.

Imported from Europe, the four-fingered Kit Kat bars – sold for BRL 2.50 each – will be available at Walmart and Sam’s Club supermarket stores throughout Brazil, and also via the retail channel in the south of the country.

Announced in Brazil last week, the launch generated a buzz on social media channel Twitter, becoming the top ‘trending topic’ spot in less than one hour, and creating over 1.2 billion hits in 24 hours.

The launch in Brazil marks Kit Kat’s further expansion worldwide, adding to the 72 countries globally where the brand is sold.

The iconic brand Kit Kat – which celebrated its 75th anniversary last year – was first launched in 1935, when the first four-fingered wafer was launched as Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp in London and the South East of the United Kingdom. Within 18 months, it was rebranded by Rowntree’s marketing director George Harris, as Kit Kat Chocolate Crisp, and here Kit Kat was born.

The Kit Kat brand also celebrated another addition to its vast range on the other side of the world, in Australia.

THREE DIFFERENT TASTE SENSATIONS: The new Kit Kat Chunky 3 bar was launched last month in Australia.

The Kit Kat Chunky 3 bar – which offers three different taste sensations in one bar – was launched last month. It features the brand’s signature crisp wafer topped with three breakable chunks containing the delicious textures of fudge, crisp and sauce.

As part of Nestlé’s global CHF 110 million Cocoa Plan, the Kit Kat Chunky 3 bars will be manufactured using UTZ Certified sustainable cocoa. This UTZ Code of Conduct sets stringent requirements for the farmers when it comes to the sustainable growing of coffee, cocoa and tea.

Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan – launched in 2009 – aims to create a sustainable supply chain for the cocoa industry as well as improving the lives of cocoa farmers and their communities.

Nestlé in Brazil

Nestlé Brazil – which employs more than 20,000 employees – installed its first factory in 1921 in the São Paulo state city of Araras to produce condensed milk Milkmaid. This was to be known later by millions of consumers under the Brazilian translation as “Leite Moça.”

Well-established in the South American country for over 90 years, Nestlé Brazil currently offers hundreds of renowned brands including Ninho, Maggi and Nescafé.

Related information:
Nestlé Brazil (Portuguese)

Nestlé completes world leading centre of excellence for nutrition products

Nestlé today officially inaugurated a new CHF 200 million production unit at its nutrition factory complex in Konolfingen, Switzerland.

The event marks the completion of a four year, CHF 400 million total investment to create a world leading centre of excellence for specialised infant formulas and healthcare nutrition products.

Located in the canton of Berne, west-central Switzerland, the factory complex also includes a production unit for probiotic ingredients and a Product Technology Centre (PTC).

The new unit will produce Nestlé Nutrition probiotic infant formulas for export to more than 80 countries around the world, as well as healthcare nutrition products for the recently established Nestlé Health Science business.

Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé, attended the opening ceremony with Kurt Schmidt, Head of Nestlé Nutrition.

They were joined by Johann Schneider-Ammann, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Economic Affairs; and Eugenio Simioni, Head of Nestlé Switzerland.

Mr Bulcke said: “Our investment in Konolfingen reflects our confidence in not only the quality, but also the creativity of Swiss industry.

Our investment in Konolfingen reflects our confidence in not only the quality, but also the creativity of Swiss industry Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé

“We are committed to Switzerland for the long-term. It has been Nestlé’s home for the past 145 years and it will continue to be so.”

He added: “Today’s event illustrates the continued importance we give to developed markets and the growth we continue to see here.

“Nestlé has been present in both developed and emerging markets for many decades, and we continue to invest in our innovation and Research and Development capabilities across these different countries.

“They are all part of the success of our company and our long-term presence all over the world gives us a competitive advantage.”

The Konolfingen site also produces infant formula capsules for BabyNes, the premium nutrition system for babies launched by Nestlé in May 2011, for sale exclusively in Switzerland.

Nestlé Nutrition

Nestlé Nutrition is a global business with the Nestlé Group, covering infant nutrition, performance nutrition and weight management.

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE: Located in west-central Switzerland, the factory complex will become a centre of excellence specialised in infant fomulas and healthcare nutrition products.

With a product portfolio of more than 30 worldwide brands, it had sales of CHF 7.7 billion in 2010.

Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science S.A. began operating in January 2011. It was announced in September 2010, along with the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, with a focus on personalised nutrition and related services.

It builds on the Company’s existing global Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition business, which has a long established reputation for its science-based products and services.

Nestlé in Switzerland

Nestlé's headquarters are located in Vevey, Switzerland. Around the country, Nestlé employs 9,400 people and operates 10 factories and 10 distribution centres.

The Nestlé Research Center, the Company's global Research and Development hub, is also located in Switzerland, along with three Product Technology Centres (PTC) and one Chocolate Centre of Excellence.

Nestlé brands available in Switzerland include Cailler, Cristalp, Frisco, Findus, Henniez, Incarom, Leisi, Le parfait, Mövenpick Ice Cream, Nescafé, Nespresso, Thomy, and Stalden.

In addition, Switzerland is home to 19 Nespresso Boutiques and two Mövenpick Ice Cream Galleries.

Images:
Nestlé Flickr photostream

Related information:
Nestlé Switzerland press release - English (pdf, 149 Kb)
Nestlé Switzerland press release - French (pdf, 150 Kb)
Nestlé Switzerland press release - German (pdf, 168 Kb)

Fact sheet Nestlé Nutrition - English (pdf, 156 Kb)
Fact sheet Nestlé Nutrition - French (pdf, 150 Kb)
Fact sheet Nestlé Nutrition - German (pdf, 149 Kb)

Facts and figures: Nestlé in Konolfingen - English(pdf, 156 Kb)
Facts and figures: Nestlé in Konolfingen - French (pdf, 150 Kb)
Facts and figures: Nestlé in Konolfingen - German (pdf, 145 Kb)

Launch of Nestlé Health Science and Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences websites

Nestlé today announced the launch of its websites for the newly-created entities Nestlé Health Science and Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences.

Under www.nestlehealthscience.com and www.nestleinstitutehealthsciences.com , the web portals outline each of the companies’ pioneering vision, while together describing its mission and long-term objectives.

The websites will also offer a first approach of this new industry, linking nutrition and pharma; while providing visitors with updated news detailing any future acquisition, partnership, or new major discovery.

Designed for a wide audience – from scientists, investors, and collaboration partners, to journalists and future employees – each website is organised around separate functionalities.

Visitors can log on and read about what personalised nutrition is about:

The Nestlé Health Science website

Covers six main areas, including: Our Vision; About Nestlé Health Science; A New Science; Current Business; Fields of Applications; and Newsroom.

Over the coming months, more categories are planned to encourage visitors to become more familiar with new developments.

The Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences website

Features five sections, including: Our Vision; The Institute; Fields of Investigation; Newsroom; and Join Our Team.

Nestlé joins research effort to further improve products’ environmental performance

PACKAGING RESEARCH: Nestlé scientists discuss the environmental performance of various materials.

Nestlé is joining a new research partnership between industry and academia that aims to improve the environmental performance of consumer products and services.

The company is the only global food and beverage manufacturer to join the ‘International Chair in Life Cycle Assessment’ unit at the Interuniversity Research Centre for the Life Cycle of Products, Processes and Services (CIRAIG) in Montreal, Canada.

Life cycle assessment is the most widely used scientific methodology for assessing products’ overall environmental impact.

CIRAIG is one of the largest research centres of its kind in the world. It generates new life cycle assessment knowledge, methods and tools, and shares these with its industry partners.

Nestlé is supporting its work with an investment of 500,000 Canadian dollars (almost CHF 460,000).

What is a life cycle assessment?

Life cycle assessments measure a product’s environmental impacts across the entire value chain: from ingredient sourcing to processing and manufacturing, its use by consumers and how its packaging is disposed of or reused.

Nestlé’s approach to using life cycle assessments in all its product categories has enabled it to systematically improve the environmental performance of many of its popular products and systems.

“This partnership will help us expand our knowledge of life cycle assessments,” said Nestlé scientist Urs Schenker.

“We use them when developing products to measure areas of environmental impacts, for example water use in agriculture, CO₂ emissions in manufacture, and the amount of energy used in distribution.”

OVERALL IMPACT: Evaluating a product’s environmental performance across the value chain.

Consumer communication

“The partnership will also help us to provide consumers with improved information about our products’ environmental performance, helping them make more informed decisions about what they buy,” added Mr Schenker.

“Online graphics such as the ones created by our Nescafé brand can help people understand the life cycle concept in an interesting and accessible way.”

Eco-design tools

As part of its product development process, Nestlé also conducts quicker versions of life cycle assessments using a selection of simple ‘eco-design’ tools.

One of these is the Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool (PIQET), which can evaluate the environmental impact of packaging over its entire life cycle.

Such tools allow Nestlé to evaluate life cycle data early in the design stage, allowing the company to make modifications to improve products’ future environmental performance while they are still being developed.

Nestlé is currently developing a new eco-design tool which it plans to roll out later this year.

Maggi fans rush to ‘Guess the Taste’ of mystery noodles

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN, MYSTERY FLAVOUR: Maggi 'Guess the Taste' noodles are on sale across India for a limited period.

Nestlé’s Maggi brand is inviting fans to guess the taste of a new, mystery flavour of vegetarian noodles in India.

Launched in March, the limited edition ‘Guess the Taste’ noodles are being sold across the country in packets marked with a distinctive question mark design.

More than 45,000 consumers have already contacted Nestlé with their suggested name for the taste; the ingredients of which are listed on the pack without revealing its exact flavour.

Mukesh Kumar, Marketing Manager for Maggi noodles in India, explained why the ambiguous taste was created.

He said: “Maggi is synonymous with noodles in India, where consumers have a very strong emotional connection with the brand.

“We wanted to engage people in a conversation and build on our reputation as leaders in innovation by creating an intriguing product that consumers would pick up and start talking about.

CAPTURING PEOPLE'S IMAGINATIONS: More than 45,000 consumers have already contacted Nestlé with their suggested names for the taste.

“The taste combines traditional ingredients, such as chilli, ginger, cumin, coriander and black cardamom, with more exotic smoky and cheesy flavours, but in a way that leaves it open to interpretation.”

In India, Nestlé is using a variety of media to spread the word about Guess the Taste; from a series of television and print advertisements, to a dedicated Facebook page.

Created especially for the campaign, the Facebook page is the brand’s first in the country and has already attracted more than 530,000 fans.

Mr Kumar described consumers’ reactions so far and said: “The idea has really captured people’s imaginations.

“We have had an incredible response, which is even more impressive when you consider that we haven’t offered people any incentives to take part."

‘Me and Meri Maggi’

MIXING TRADITIONAL AND EXOTIC INGREDIENTS: The taste combines ingredients such as chilli, ginger, cumin and coriander with more unusual smoky and cheesy flavours.

Guess the Taste follows other recent successful efforts by Nestlé's Maggi brand to acknowledge and strengthen its long relationship with consumers in India.

In 2009, it launched ‘Me and Meri Maggi’ - a two-stage campaign to celebrate 25 years of Maggi noodles being sold in the country.

Firstly, consumers were invited to share their favourite experiences and memories involving Maggi noodles, with a selection of these being chosen to feature on product packaging and in television advertising.

Mr Kumar explained the nostalgic initiative and said: “Millions of consumers in India have grown up with Maggi and they are now buying Maggi products for their families.

“They have so many fond recollections associated with the brand that we wanted to make them part of its history.”

After receiving more than 30,000 entries, in the campaign’s second stage Nestlé categorised the Maggi moments as either ‘adventurous’, ‘naughty’ or ‘romantic’.

MAGGI MEMORIES: Consumers were invited to share their favourite experiences and memories involving Maggi noodles.

These were used to inspire three new Maggi noodle flavours - Thrillin' Curry, Tricky Tomato, and Romantic Capsica – and an accompanying trio of television advertisements.

In the Thrillin' Curry advertisement, three lost girls find their way home with the help of Maggi, while in Tricky Tomato, a mother tricks her sons into letting her keep her favourite bowl of Maggi.

Finally, in Romantic Capsica, an elderly man manages to charm his angry wife with the help of Maggi, who is playing the part of Cupid, the god of love.

Nestlé drives nutrition with ‘Cooking Caravans’ in Africa

COOKING CARAVAN: Maggi is reaching out to thousands of women in Côte d’Ivoire

Nestlé has gone on the road in Central and West Africa to provide nutrition expertise and healthy eating tips to consumers.

Maggi brand ‘Cooking Caravans’ are travelling through Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria, educating people about balanced diets, micronutrient deficiency and the importance of culinary hygiene.

The programme also aims to encourage cooking at home.

Tailor made

There are five caravans on the road staffed by a team of up to ten Maggi employees and contractors.

They travel to towns and cities week-by-week promoting activities tailored to each country.

These include interactive cooking demonstrations, women’s forums, group discussions, and presentations on micronutrient fortification.

Trusted brand

“The Cooking Caravan is our channel to connect with our consumers face-to-face,” said Maarten Geraets, Business Executive Manager for Maggi in the Central and West Africa region.

“We hope it will reinforce the idea that Maggi is a brand they can trust.”

Maggi makes a wide range of products including bouillons and seasonings in West Africa.

Nestlé fortifies most of the range to help address the four most prominent micronutrient deficiencies worldwide: iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc.

Over a third of people living in developing countries are affected by such deficiencies, according to recent statistics by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

‘Innovative way’

“The Cooking Caravan is also helping us reach out to people to make them aware about the problems of micronutrient deficiency, which can have huge effects on health,” said Mr Geraets.

“Maggi is a well-known Nestlé brand which offers Popularly Positioned Products (PPP) to people on lower incomes. These locally-adapted, affordable and nutritional products are fortified with essential nutrients and minerals.

“This programme is an innovative way to inform people about this local nutrition issue and how they can address it,” he added.

Engaging with consumers

The ‘Cooking Caravans’ will take to the roads in Ghana next month and are expected to be rolled out to other countries in West Africa this year.

They started in Côte d’Ivoire in October 2011.

In Cameroon, the programme has already engaged with thousands of consumers.

In Nigeria, it aims to reach over 50,000 people in 2012.

Related information:
Maggi
Nestlé CWAR
Flickr Photostream

Read more about Maggi:
Maggi fans rush to ‘Guess the Taste’ of mystery noodles
Nestlé opens new Maggi seasoning production line in China

Read more about Nestlé in the Central and Western African region:
Nestlé opens first Shared Service Centre in Africa
Nestlé opens new CHF 87 million factory in Nigeria

Nestlé’s new Maison Cailler brand creates chocolate haute couture

TWELVE NEW RECIPES: Milk chocolate and raspberry is one of the 12 new varieties of Maison Cailler chocolate.

Nestlé has created a new luxury brand that delivers fresh chocolates, tailor-made for individual tastes.

Maison Cailler is a unique profiling system that consumers can use to discover their ‘chocolate personality’ and share the result with their friends online.

Within 48 hours of using the service, consumers will be sent a box of Maison Cailler chocolates that have been carefully selected to match their individual preferences.

“What we are offering is the perfect personalised chocolate,” says Cédric Lacroix, Director of Nestlé’s Chocolate Centre of Excellence in Broc, in the Gruyère region of Switzerland.

Personalised service

To determine someone’s chocolate personality, consumers first order a box of five ‘tasting’ chocolates from the Maison Cailler website, to send to a friend or relative, or themselves.

“Chocolate has certain attributes that people distinguish in different ways. It is like tasting wine,” Mr Lacroix explains.

Chocolate has certain attributes that people distinguish in different ways. It is like tasting wine. Cédric Lacroix, Director of Nestlé’s Chocolate Centre of Excellence in Broc, Switzerland.

“The first five chocolates arrive with a set of instructions, designed to help people to discover the pleasure of the tasting experience.”

The recipient tastes the chocolates which contain hints of milk, caramel, nut, fruit, flowers, vanilla and cocoa. Then they rate them online using a simple questionnaire.

This allows Maison Cailler to hand pick the perfect selection that suits their taste from an initial set of twelve different chocolates; all new recipes that have been developed for this luxury segment of the market.

Maison Cailler is the latest in a series of innovative personalised products and services from Nestlé’s global research and development network.

This year, in Switzerland, the company launched BabyNes; the world’s first comprehensive nutrition system for infants and toddlers. It followed the earlier launch of pioneering tea machine system Special T in France in 2010.

The ‘haute couture’ of chocolate

Maison Cailler chocolates are identical in shape and size and are either combined in five different assortments, or in boxes of one or two of the same varieties.

They will be made, packed and dispatched directly to consumers from Nestlé’s Cailler factory in Broc, which has been producing fine chocolate since 1898.

“We are offering superior quality chocolates, created using traditional techniques that the Cailler brand has developed over more than a century,” Mr Lacroix continues.

PERFECT PERSONALISED CHOCOLATE: Boxes of tailor made Maison Cailler chocolates will be handpicked to match people's individual preferences.

“Maison Cailler is the ‘haute couture’ of chocolate. It is the definition of luxury, inspired by the local Gruyère region and the quality of the ingredients you find here.

“The chocolates’ shape is based on the nearby Moléson mountain, while the packaging incorporates the Swiss art of paper cutting into its design,” he adds.

Presented in boxes of one to five layers, Maison Cailler chocolates are accompanied by a booklet explaining the characteristics of a particular chocolate personality.

The recipient can share this personality online through their personal Facebook profile and also through the Maison Cailler Facebook page.

E-commerce

“Maison Cailler is a response to the changing times we live in,” Mr Lacroix explains.

“People are looking for more personalised products and services, and they are increasingly purchasing these online.”

“We will be able to fine tune the Maison Cailler offering according to consumer feedback,” he continues.

“Although the five main chocolate personalities will never change, soon we will be able to identify nuances. The goal really is to be as personal as possible.”

People can register to set up a personal account on the Maison Cailler website; importing their Facebook contacts and logging the chocolate personalities of their friends.

They will also be able to post questions to the Maison Cailler team.

The Maison Cailler website, which works on all digital devices, will stream live footage from webcams in the chocolatiers’ kitchens; from the Moléson; and from the fields where the cows who provide the factory’s milk graze.

There will even be live footage from a cocoa farm in Ecuador.

“We are showing consumers that we are a real business, with real people, who work here every day making chocolate for them to enjoy,” adds Mr Lacroix.

DEFINITION OF LUXURY: Maison Cailler is inspired by the Gruyère region of Switzerland and the quality of ingredients that can be found there.

Luxurious locations to taste chocolate

In addition to online activity, Maison Cailler ‘profiling stations’ will be set up in a variety of luxurious locations around Switzerland, such as five star hotels.

The temporary booths will give people the opportunity to take the chocolate personality tests with a friend in relaxed and comfortable surroundings.

A new flagship store will open outside the existing Maison Cailler chocolate museum in Broc, where visitors will also be able to discover their chocolate personality.

Maison Cailler will launch at the beginning of 2012. The service will initially only be available in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

A brief history of Cailler

François-Louis Cailler was born in 1796 in Vevey, Switzerland.

In 1819 he bought a small company that sold chocolate. In 1825, he began to make chocolate in Corsier, an industrial area of Vevey.

In 1832, he built his first big factory in the same town. He later built a second.

When François-Louis Cailler died in 1852, two of his sons took over the company and bought a new factory in Vevey.

In 1898, François-Louis Cailler’s grandson, Alexandre-Louis, built a chocolate factory in Broc, in the milk producing region of Gruyère.

The business merged with the chocolate makers Peter and Kohler in 1911.

In 1929, the company was bought by Nestlé. Today, the Cailler brand continues to produce chocolate at the factory in Broc according to the traditional recipes of its founder.

Nestlé plants 750,000 trees in Malaysia to protect river ecosystem

SHARING AGRICULTURAL EXPERTISE: Nestlé staff on the ground working with seedling planters in the field.

Nestlé will plant up to 750,000 trees in Malaysia as part of a reforestation project to help protect the rich biodiversity of a river ecosystem.

The forest trees will be planted over the next three to four years on both sides of a 110km stretch of the lower Kinabatangan river in Sabah, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo.

At 560 kilometres in length, the Kinabatangan is Malaysia’s second longest river.

It provides a vital ecosystem for wildlife and plants. Local people rely on the river for food, water, transportation and a source of income.

The project aims to reduce pollution in the river by allowing the trees to form a natural barrier against soil sediment, as well as fertiliser and pesticide overspills from agricultural activities.

“The first 100,000 trees will be planted within 12 months,” said Peter Vogt, Managing Director of Nestlé Malaysia.

“In total, the trees will cover 2,400 hectares; an area three times the size of Gibraltar.

“We are working with a group of local forest seedling producers and we are applying our commercial agricultural experience to the planting programmes," he added.

LIFE ON THE RIVER: Local people rely on the river for food, water, transportation and a source of income. The above image shows forest seedlings being transported to planting areas.

Higher rates of growth

"This way, we hope to achieve higher rates of survivability and growth among planted forest trees, to help speed up the reforestation of the riverside."

At the same time as acting as a filter against harmful materials, the new trees will eventually form a forest ‘corridor of life’, where animals and birds can thrive.

The project is part of Nestlé’s approach to corporate social responsibility. Called Creating Shared Value, it focuses on specific areas where the company can best create value for both society and its shareholders.

Nestlé will share its agricultural expertise with the local community along the river, to encourage the smallholder farmers there to adopt environmentally sustainable practices.

As a first step, the company has helped to build a pilot farm. It demonstrates how low environmental impact farming can still generate strong crop yields.

Preserving natural habitats

The reforestation project is one of several initiatives introduced by Nestlé in Malaysia to help preserve natural habitats.

Last year, the company received an Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Award for its role in a project to protect the Setiu wetlands on Malaysia’s east coast.

In partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, Nestlé helped local women to identify ways of earning an income from environmentally sustainable activities.

The women, who are the main financial providers for their families, were trained in basic entrepreneurial skills and eco-tourism.

Related information:
Nestlé Malaysia
World Wildlife Fund Malaysia website

More stroies about Nestlé in Malaysia:
Nestlé triumphs at Malaysian Corporate Governance Awards
Investment of CHF 35 million in breakfast cereals factory in Malaysia
José Lopez announces partnership with Forest Trust, Malaysia

Nestlé recognised for its inclusive employment practices in Mexico

INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT: One fifth of employees at the cell centre have some form of disability

Nestlé has been recognised for an innovative scheme that has helped it recruit more disabled employees while increasing productivity at its call centre in Mexico.

The company received an award from ‘Fundación ParaLife’ (the ParaLife Foundation) for its ‘Awareness and Occupational Inclusion Programme’, designed to foster greater diversity and team spirit in the workplace.

The programme, implemented between 2010 and 2011, saw Nestlé work with Fundación ParaLife to become the largest single employer of people with disabilities in Mexico over a one-year period.

Today, one fifth of the company’s employees at its call centre have some form of disability. The majority have been hired through the programme.

The centre, which deals with more than 230,000 consumer enquiries a year, has significantly improved its performance since the programme began.

Customer satisfaction rates have risen to 94%, while staff turnover rates have been reduced by half.

Importance of teamwork

“The Awareness and Occupational Inclusion Programme is very important to our business,” said Juan Carlos Marroquin Cuesta, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Mexico, at the award ceremony.

“It has helped raise the whole team’s awareness of how valuable it is for everyone to have the opportunity to do a job where, with effort and dedication, they can give their best.

“We’ve been able to attract and maintain talented employees, while helping them further develop their professional and personal abilities.” he added.

RECRUITING TALENT: The call centre has significantly improved its performance.

Braille engraving

Mr Marroquin was joined at the ceremony by Mexican government officials and executives from Nestlé and Fundación ParaLife. Members of the company’s call centre team and other guests were also present.

The award, engraved in Braille, was presented to one of Nestlé’s visually-impaired employees.

More experiences

According to Mexico’s National General Population and Housing Census for 2010, people with disabilities represented just over 5% of the country’s total population.

Nestlé Mexico is committed to promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in working life through programmes that offer them long-term benefits.

These efforts are part of what Nestlé calls ‘Creating Shared Value’, an approach to business that aims to create value for the company’s shareholders at the same time as for those communities where it operates.

Related information:
Nestlé Mexico website

Read more stories about Nestlé in Mexico:
Nestlé launches CHF 500 million global plan for sustainable coffee
Nestlé opens renovated Coffee-mate factory in Chiapas, Mexico
Celebrating ten years of Nestlé's Sustainable Agriculture Initiative

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé launches initiative to encourage parents and children in Australia to play together more often

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES: Milo supports a number of initiatives to encourage more young people to be physically active.

A first-of-its-kind study commissioned by Nestlé’s Milo beverage brand has revealed almost half of eight- to 12-year-old Australian children do not play every day.

In response to the findings the company has launched the ‘Milo Play Movement’, a nationwide initiative to encourage families to incorporate play time into their daily activities.

Play ‘not a priority’

Nearly 1,400 children, parents and grandparents answered the online ‘State of Play’ survey about their leisure time activities.

The results suggest there has been a marked shift in playtime behaviours within two generations in Australia.

The majority of parents and grandparents surveyed agreed their children didn’t create their own play or games as much as they used to when they were young.

Although more than 94% of parents believed play was essential for their children’s development, two in five said they struggled to find time to play with them.

More than two thirds of parents said they felt guilty about not playing with their children as often as they should and admitted other demands took priority.

Important life skills

“Unstructured, active play helps children develop imagination and creativity, form habits and cope in changeable situations,” said Paula Barrett, a child psychologist and play-based learning expert, who is providing Nestlé with expert advice on the importance of play for children’s development.

“Many parents assume children don’t need to play regularly after the age of eight.

“In reality, eight to 12-year-olds are at a critical stage of development where active play is extremely important.”

Barriers to play

One in three children surveyed said they didn’t have anyone to play with, while more than half said they would like to spend more time playing with their parents.

More than two in five children claimed they were too tired after school, or had too much homework, to play.

More than one in three said they had run out of ideas for play, which may be why they often turned to electronic devices for inspiration.

Although the children surveyed spent almost half their free time watching TV, playing video games or using other electronic devices, more than two thirds said playing outdoors was their favourite activity.

"Unstructured, active play helps children develop imagination and creativity, form habits and cope in changeable situations." Paula Barrett, child psychologist and play-based learning expert.

Outdoor events

As part of the Play Movement, the Milo team is organising a series of outdoor events in Australia to inspire families to play more and create their own games.

The ‘play tours’ will give children the opportunity to devise new rules for traditional games and practise their throwing, catching and kicking skills.

Parents can also share their experiences on the Milo Australia Facebook page, which offers expert advice from psychologist Paula Barrett and tips for how to encourage more play time in the family.

A group of Australian mothers who blog on the subject of family life will also be sharing their ideas for playtime as part of the programme.

Encouraging sports

The Play Movement is the latest initiative from the Milo brand to encourage more young people to be physically active and take part in outdoor activities and sport.

In Australia the brand supports the ‘Milo-in-2-cricket’ programme for school children, as well as the Milo ‘Little Olympics’ for school children in the Philippines.

In Singapore, the new ‘Milo Match-Up’ iPhone application helps users find other people with the same sports interests in their local area.

Nutrition, health and wellness

All these activities form part of Nestlé’s global commitment to nutrition, health and wellness.

The company is the main sponsor of the International Association of Athletics Federations’ Kids’ Athletics programme - one of the world’s biggest youth sports development initiatives.

This complements Nestlé’s Healthy Kids programme, a global initiative that promotes nutrition education, a balanced diet, greater physical activity and a healthy lifestyle to school age children.

Healthy Kids reached an estimated six million children in 60 countries in 2011.

Related information:
Nestlé Australia
Milo Australia Facebook page

Read more stories about: Nestlé’s commitment to nutrition, health and wellness
Nestlé helps address micronutrient deficiency in Africa with new Maggi cube
Nestlé supports programme to reduce childhood obesity in the US
Nestlé supports worldwide development of children’s athletics

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Sports enthusiasts can meet their match with new Milo mobile app

DIGITALLY ENGAGED: Users can set up a profile to find other people with the same sports interests.

Sports enthusiasts in Singapore can use a new Nestlé iPhone application to organise a game of their favourite sport.

‘Milo Match-Up’, from Nestlé’s Milo beverage brand, helps to connect people who would like to arrange a sports game but who are having difficulty finding other players.

The app enables users to find people with the same sports interests and skill levels, set up teams, or simply get their friends together for a match.

Digital engagement

“There are already a number of mobile apps that help you measure your exercise performance, but we believe this is the first that actually helps you organise sports activities,” said Lay Kwan Goh, Nestlé’s Senior Brand Manager for Milo in Singapore.

“100% of Singaporeans own a mobile and more than two thirds own a Smartphone, so an app is a really practical format for a sports planner.

“We’re a small population, but we’re very digitally engaged,” she added.

Connecting people

Milo Match-Up is designed for anyone in Singapore over the age of 15 who has an iPhone and who wants to play sport regularly.

It is one of a number of innovative mobile applications Nestlé has created to help consumers around the world manage their nutrition, health and wellness.

These include Devenir Maman, which provides nutrition information and advice for expectant mothers in France, and the Jenny Craig app, which gives information about the calorie content of dishes at popular restaurants in the United States.

Watch the video to find out how Milo Match-Up works

ENCOURAGING SPORT: The app aims to help users organise sports games more easily.

To use Milo Match-Up, consumers first create a personal profile stating their sports preferences, ability level and availability to play games. The amount of personal information provided is optional.

They can then search for people who live in the same area who are interested in taking part in a game.

The app allows users to connect with others for post-match discussions, upload the match score and find out where they rank on the leader board.

It also allows users to notify teammates about training sessions and challenge other teams to a game.

Energy drink

The app is the latest initiative from Milo to encourage everyone - particularly young people - to take part in sport.

The brand supports a number of nutrition and sports initiatives around the world, including the Milo-in-2-cricket programme for school children in Australia and the Milo Little Olympics for school children in the Philippines.

“Milo is a high energy beverage that is often drunk before or after taking part in exercise” continued Ms Goh.

“It has a very strong heritage in Singapore. Consumers of all ages associate it with their sports routines, past and present.”

Free to download

The Milo Match-Up app is currently only available in Singapore. The information it provides - such as the location of sports venues - is specific to the geographic area.

The app can be downloaded free from the iTunes app store in Singapore, for use on the iPhone.

Related information:
Nestlé Singapore website
Milo

Read more stories about Nestlé’s mobile apps:
Free mobile app from Nestlé encourages recycling in Singapore
Nestlé’s free mobile apps place brands in more hands
Nestlé app launched

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Mövenpick masters the art of lychee ice cream

EXOTIC NEW FLAVOUR: Asian Black Leaf Lychee & Rose ice cream.

The wait is over for Mövenpick Ice Cream lovers who have been anticipating the traditional 1 March release of the Super Premium Swiss brand’s new season flavours.

From this week, three exotic new recipes - Asian Black Leaf Lychee & Rose, Provence Lavender Honey & Violet, and Yoghurt & Apricot – will be available in the Création and Harmony ranges, as well as two new summer Limited Editions, Apricot & Rosemary and Coconut & Lemongrass.

Mövenpick’s expert ‘Maître Glaciers’, based at the brand’s research centre near Lausanne in Switzerland, are responsible for inventing each new flavour.

Cédric Delez and Jean Besson are part of the team of ice cream masterminds who apply Swiss standards of perfection to exceptional ingredients from around the globe.

Cédric Delez said: “As a Super Premium Brand, we have to go outside the norm. You can’t find such ice cream combinations anywhere outside Mövenpick.

“Our consumers expect something new and surprising every year. They are willing to take risks but they still expect the same Mövenpick Ice Cream quality.”

Fresh fruit and flowers

In the Création line, recognised by fans as the most daring of Mövenpick’s five retail ranges, are two new flavours with a fruit and floral twist.

Asian Black Leaf Lychee & Rose is perhaps the most unusual. It blends lychee ice-cream with juicy fruit pieces, crystallised rose petals, and a delicate rose ripple sauce to create a surprising fresh taste.

There is no limit to what you can do with ice cream. Cédric Delez, Maître Glacier, Mövenpick Ice Cream

Cédric Delez explained why the flavour is so unique: “It is a specific combination of fruit and flowers that you find on a lot of restaurant menus, or in preserves such as marmalade, but not in an ice cream. This is something very special.

“Most lychee-based products have an artificial taste as they are made from concentrate. We only use puree, which really helps us to capture the freshness of the original fruit. Sometimes this can be a real challenge, but we never compromise.”

The other new addition to the Création range is Provence Lavender Honey & Violet, matching lavender honey from Southern France with crystallised violet petals and an orange blossom ripple sauce.

In the Harmony line, which combines frozen yoghurt, ice cream and sorbet to offer a great tasting dessert with only 4% fat, is the new Yoghurt & Apricot flavour.

It mixes frozen Swiss yoghurt with a velvety sorbet of Bergeron apricots, and delicate fresh fruit pieces.

All natural ingredients

Meanwhile, the new summer Limited Edition flavours are an aromatic Apricot & Rosemary sorbet, and a refreshing Coconut & Lemongrass ice cream.

Created for the 2011 Limited Edition theme ‘fruit and herbs’, as with all Mövenpick Ice Cream products they contain no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives.

ICE CREAM MASTERMINDS: From left, Jean Besson, Cédric Delez, Maylis Quessette and Frank Schmick.

Jean Besson, who developed both new recipes, revealed how the brand’s all natural policy is reflected in the Apricot & Rosemary flavour.

He said: “The combination of apricot and rosemary is fantastically fresh. Thanks to an unusually hot summer in the south of France last year, we were working with an exceptional crop of apricots.

“The sweetness you can taste is absolutely typical of the fruit at its best, while the rosemary has a slightly bitter aroma that balances this perfectly.”

Cédric Delez continued: “There is no limit to what you can do with ice cream. We have attempted all kinds of flavours, including beer, truffle, smoked salmon and even ham!

“In the end, we are always thinking about what consumers are ready for. For example, five or six years ago, I think people would have been sceptical about the idea of herbs in ice cream, but now they are open to it.”

This season’s five new flavours will be available everywhere in Switzerland, and in a selection of other countries around the world. This excludes Provence Lavender Honey & Violet, which is exclusive to the Swiss store Manor.

Double Crème & Meringue devotees

Mövenpick Ice Cream’s Maître Glaciers go to great lengths, globally and locally, to source exactly the right ingredients for their distinct creations.

APRICOT & ROSEMARY: A refreshing flavour combining fruit and herbs.

For example in 2007, they worked with a tiny dairy supplier from a small village in the Gruyère region of Switzerland to create Double Crème & Meringue flavour for the Limited Edition range.

Based on a traditional Swiss dessert - typically eaten with strawberries following a fondue, or after a day’s skiing - it proved so popular in Switzerland that it sold out within weeks.

The Mövenpick Ice Cream office was soon inundated with messages from enthusiastic consumers, begging for the flavour to be brought back. To fans’ delight, the brand decided to permanently reinstate the flavour as part of the Classics range in 2009.

Cédric Delez smiled and said: “I am always proud of our work, especially when we create something that consumers feel passionate about. I am also very proud that we can work with small, family companies to make such fantastic tastes.”

Mövenpick Ice Cream

Acquired by Nestlé in 2003, Mövenpick Ice Cream has a worldwide reputation for gastronomic excellence.

Originally produced in the 1960s for fine-dining restaurants in Switzerland only, it is now sold in almost 40 countries around the world including Russia, Finland and Singapore.

The two other Mövenpick Ice Cream retail ranges are Classics and Délices de Fruit. Available all year round, the Classics range features long-established best-sellers such as Swiss Chocolate, Strawberry and Caramelita.

Délices de Fruit is a sorbet range including flavours such as Lemon & Lime, and Passion Fruit & Mango.

Mövenpick Ice Cream has also this week released a multipack of four 175ml cups in its Classics range, featuring Caramelita, Stracciatella, Swiss Chocolate, and Vanilla Dream, available exclusively in all Coop stores in Switzerland.

The brand’s next set of new season flavours will be available on 1 October 2011.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines continue to reduce environmental impact

As part of Nestlé’s long-term commitment to environmental sustainability, the Company has continued to reduce the environmental impact of its Nescafé Dolce Gusto home beverage machines since the first models were introduced in 2006.

The second generation machines – which can make 16 different types of coffee and a variety of other hot and cold drinks – create 32% fewer CO2 emissions, use 41% fewer fossil fuels, and use 25% less water from manufacture to the point of use than the original models.

The savings were achieved with the introduction of an eco-mode function which allows machines to switch to automatic standby after 20 minutes when idle, and a lighter-weight water heating block made from 23% less aluminium.

Nestlé developed the innovations in response to independent analyses it commissioned on the Nescafé Dolce Gusto system’s environmental impact.

Known as Life Cycle Assessments, the peer-reviewed, expert studies examine a product’s impact across the value chain, from ingredient sourcing to processing and manufacturing, consumer use of the product and its packaging.

Axel Touzet, Head of Nescafé Dolce Gusto, explained how Nestlé has applied this approach to the Nescafé Dolce Gusto system.

NESCAFÉ DOLCE GUSTO: The second generation machines create 32% fewer CO2 emissions, use 41% fewer fossil fuels, and use 25% less water from manufacture to the point of use than the original models.

He said: “Nestlé is the leader in using Life Cycle Assessments to inform its long-term product development strategy.

“From the beginning, Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines were designed to prevent wastage, using the exact quantity of coffee, water and energy required to brew a single cup of coffee.

“We know that consumers’ main concern about the sustainability of the system relates to the disposal of used capsules, however studies have shown that this actually makes the smallest contribution to its overall environmental impact.”

He added: “While we are working on ways to reduce capsules’ impact – such as lowering their weight or using alternative materials – we are also making considerable advances in other areas, such as the machines’ energy consumption.

“It is our focus to ensure that every new machine achieves a best-in-class energy efficiency status.”

All new Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines rank A-class for energy efficiency in Switzerland; the only country in Europe to operate an energy consumption labelling scheme for household coffee machines.

Nestlé has now further developed the eco-mode function to switch to standby after only five minutes, a feature which will be available on all new Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines by the end of 2011.

Life Cycle Assessments

The first and second generation Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines were compared using the results of two Life Cycle Assessments, conducted on the Melody 1 model in 2006, and on Melody 2 in 2009.

Focusing on climate change, non-renewable energy, and water, they calculated the amount of green house gas emissions created, the amount of fossil fuel energy extracted and used, and the amount of water used from coffee bean production to capsule disposal.

The results of the Melody 2 assessment, published in 2010, showed that 33% of the system’s carbon footprint came from growing the coffee beans and processing them; 12% from manufacturing the capsules; 12% from creating the packaging; 8% from producing the machines; 8% from transportation and distribution; 21% from machine use, and 6% from capsule disposal.

Mr Touzet further outlined how Life Cycle Assessments help Nestlé to minimise its products’ environmental impact.

He said: “We commission Life Cycle Assessments to enable us to identify specific areas for improvement.

“For example, recent assessments have shown that coffee bean production makes a significant contribution to the overall impact of the Nescafé Dolce Gusto system, which is something we are working to address through the Nescafé Plan.”

The Nescafé Plan

Launched last year in Mexico, the Nescafé Plan is a ten-year, CHF 350 million initiative that brings together Nestlé’s commitments on coffee farming, production and consumption.

With support from the international non-government organisation the Rainforest Alliance, partners of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), and the coffee growers association 4C, it will ensure that all green coffee directly purchased by Nestlé will conform to internationally recognised 4C sustainability principles by 2015.

In addition, Nestlé will source 90,000 tonnes of Nescafé coffee in line with the principles of the Rainforest Alliance and the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) by 2020.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto

The Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine system is available in five different ranges: Melody 2, Circolo, Piccolo, Fontana and Creativa.

First launched in Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom in 2006, it is now available in 39 countries around the world.

Related information:
Nescafé Dolce Gusto

Related News & Features:
25.03.11 Machine innovation
25.03.11 Nescafé Dolce Gusto invests to double coffee capsule production

Nestlé invests GBP 110 million in United Kingdom creating 300 jobs and tripling coffee capsule production

HIGH SPEED PRODUCTION: The investment will equip the factory with 12 new production lines.

Nestlé is investing GBP 110 million in its Nescafé Dolce Gusto factory in the United Kingdom, creating 300 new jobs and tripling coffee capsule production.

The investment will expand the factory, located in Tutbury in Derbyshire, and its workforce at a time when UK unemployment is at a 17-year high.

It is the latest in a series of multi-million pound investments Nestlé has made in the United Kingdom over the last five years.

These include: GBP 200 million to transform its confectionery factory in York, GBP 40 million to create a European centre of excellence for Nescafé Cappuccino in Cumbria, and most recently, GBP 35 million to build a new water bottling factory in Buxton.

World class manufacturing

British Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the news.

“This new investment by Nestlé and the jobs it will create is brilliant news for UK manufacturing and for the local community,” said Mr Cameron.

“This demonstrates what can be achieved by investing in capacity and people as Nestlé has done consistently over recent years.

“The jobs created by this new investment will benefit both skilled workers and those leaving school who will be able to train in the workplace to become the skilled workers of the future," he continued.

Paul Grimwood, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé UK and Ireland, attended an event in Tutbury to announce the factory expansion.

“We are creating our next generation of world class competitive manufacturing facilities,” said Mr Grimwood.

“We need to continue to innovate to remain ahead of the market and are committed to the ongoing modernisation of our UK manufacturing capabilities.”

Developing talent

This demonstrates what can be achieved by investing in capacity and people as Nestlé has done consistently over recent years. David Cameron, British Prime Minister

Nestlé is a major employer in the UK, with about 7,000 staff across 19 sites.

The factory workforce at Tutbury has grown from 160 to 500 employees since 2006 and will increase to 800 by 2013, following the expansion of the site.

Some of the 300 new employees at Tutbury will form part of the first intake of the ‘Nestlé Academy’.

This new initiative will offer young people apprenticeships, graduate programmes and on the job training to help them build a lasting career with Nestlé.

High speed production

The factory in Tutbury is one of only two production sites for Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee capsules in the world. The other is located in Girona, Spain.

The investment will equip the Tutbury factory with 12 new high speed production lines to triple its output. It currently produces about four million capsules a day.

More than 90% of the capsules will be exported to more than 38 countries around the world. They will also be sold in the UK.

Investing in Europe

Nestlé’s investment in the Tutbury factory is one of several major investments the company has made in its European manufacturing operations this year to meet the growing demand for its products.

These include: a EUR 45 million (about CHF 55 million) expansion of its Wagner frozen pizza factory in Germany, a CHF 240 million expansion of its soluble coffee factory in Russia and a CHF 45 million expansion of its Purina pet food factory in Hungary.

It is also the second major investment Nestlé has made in Nescafé Dolce Gusto in 2011. In March the company allocated CHF 64 million to increase production at its factory in Girona.

Booming brand

RAPID GROWTH: More than four billion capsules have been sold since 2006.

The Nescafé Dolce Gusto ‘coffee shop at home’ system has grown phenomenally since it came to market in 2006. So far, more than four billion coffee capsules have been sold worldwide.

This year alone, Nescafé Dolce Gusto has been growing at a rate of 50%.

First launched in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK, it is now sold in 41 countries. It had a turnover of CHF 450 million in 2010.

The system can make a variety of a hot and cold drinks, including 16 different types of coffee.

Nestlé in the United Kingdom

Nestlé’s factory in Tutbury was the company’s first manufacturing site in the UK when it opened in 1901.

Originally built to produce condensed milk, the factory was transformed in 1959 to begin manufacturing Nescafé soluble coffee.

Nestlé has invested more than GBP 100 million in the factory over the past five years to strengthen its position as a leading Nescafé production site.

Nestlé manufactures a variety of iconic brands in the UK. These include: Kit Kat, the country’s number one selling biscuit, Quality Street confectionery, Nescafé soluble coffee, and Shredded Wheat cereal.

The company had sales of CHF 3.7 billion in the UK in 2010.

Nestlé is one of the UK’s major food exporters, selling products worth more than GBP 260 million each year to 50 countries around the world.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto boosts Nestlé’s exports in Spain by more than 40%

Strong sales of the “coffee-at-home” machine innovation Nescafé Dolce Gusto have helped Nestlé Spain to increase exports by 44% in the first half of 2011, despite the country’s tough economic conditions.

Combining pioneering technology and leading capsule design, the Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines – including the Melody, Circolo, Piccolo, Fontana and Creativa ranges – can make hot and cold drinks using Nescafé, Nestea and Nesquik capsules.

Nestlé Spain’s exports generated a turnover of more than EUR 245 million in the first six months of this year.

Bernard Meunier, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Spain, said: “This success demonstrates the remarkable competitiveness of our Spanish factories, which we have enhanced through continuous investment.

“The data on our exports in this period reflects the importance of the food sector as an engine of the Spanish economy.”

In addition to coffee, Nestlé Spain also saw export growth in infant nutrition, ice cream, chocolates and dairy products.

The exports were destined for more than 60 countries on five continents, with most sales concentrated in Europe.

Nestlé Spain’s exports boost follows the Company’s CHF 64 million investment in March to double production of Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee capsules at the Nescafé factory in Girona, near Barcelona.
The factory, the largest Nescafé plant in Europe, makes around three million coffee capsules each day. It plans to double production by 2012 to more than 2.5 billion coffee capsules a year.

Exported to more than 20 European countries, as well as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, the coffee capsules are available in 16 varieties including Cappuccino, Macchiato, Chococino, Cappuccino Ice, Espresso, Lungo and Classico Decaffeinato.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto: fact box

The three machine ranges include:

Manual – this simple and cost-effective variety is handled by the user to create a personalised beverage.

Flow Stop – this computerised variety delivers the exact measurement for each beverage to heighten convenience.

New Flow Stop – uses the same well-known technology but uses a control ‘mouse’ to choose the beverage recipe.

The five machine brands include:

Melody, Circolo, Piccolo, Fontana and Creativa.

Working with commercial partners Krups and Delonghi, the machines are created by Nestlé, who owns the design, and a number of Swiss-based companies.

Nestlé in Spain

Nestlé has a total of 13 production sites in Spain. These are located in Pontecesures, Sevares Gijón, La Penilla, Araia, Girona, Caldes de Malavella, Viladrau, Castellbisbal, Reus, Valladolid, Miajadas, and Herrera del Duque.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto expands in Europe

COFFEE SHOP-QUALITY AT HOME: The Nescafé Dolce Gusto system has grown phenomenally since it came to market in 2006.

Nestlé is strengthening one of its fastest growing businesses in Europe with a EUR 220 million (over CHF 265 million) investment.

The company is set to build a new Nescafé Dolce Gusto factory in Germany, the largest market for the brand worldwide.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto is Nestlé’s machine and capsule ‘coffee shop experience-at-home’ system for both hot and cold drinks. It offers nearly 30 coffee, Nesquik and Nestea varieties.

The factory, located in Schwerin, will create 450 jobs. With 12 new production lines, it will become operational by the end of 2013.

Located about 100km from Hamburg, the biggest European port for coffee imports, the factory aims to produce about two billion coffee capsules a year for export to the rest of Germany, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia.

‘Fastest growing businesses’

Nestlé made the announcement at an official ceremony at the Schwerin site.
Watch the webcast.

Erwin Sellering, German Minister for the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, attended the event, along with Laurent Freixe, Nestlé’s Zone Director for Europe, and Gerhard Berssenbrügge, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Germany.

“This is one of our biggest investments in Europe and highlights our continuous investment in our capacity for innovation,” said Mr Freixe.

“Nescafé Dolce Gusto is the leader in the portioned coffee market in 20 countries. With a growth rate of over 50%, it is one of the fastest growing businesses for Nestlé in Europe,” he added.

This is one of our biggest investments in Europe and highlights our continuous investment in our capacity for innovation. Laurent Freixe, Nestlé Zone Director for Europe

Growth in Europe

The Schwerin site is the company’s third Nescafé Dolce Gusto factory.

Last year, Nestlé invested CHF 64 million in the Nescafé Dolce Gusto site at its Nescafé factory in Girona, near Barcelona, Spain.

The company’s first Nescafé Dolce Gusto factory, which opened in 2006 in Tutbury in the United Kingdom, is already running at full capacity. Last year Nestlé invested GBP 110 million in the site to triple production.

Investing in Germany

The Schwerin factory is Nestlé’s latest investment in Germany – the company’s fourth largest market globally.

Last year the company opened a new EUR 117 million factory in Biessenhofen dedicated to producing hypoallergenic infant formula.

EXPANDING THE BUSINESS: With 12 production lines, the Schwerin factory aims to produce about two billion coffee capsules a year

Nestlé invested EUR 35 million to extend its Erlenbacher frozen baked cakes and desserts factory in Erlenbacher.

The company also invested EUR 45 million to expand its Wagner pizza factory in the city of Otzenhausen.

“Our establishment of this new factory reflects more than just an important investment to expand our business. It illustrates deep trust in the country where we have had successful operations for over 110 years,” Mr Freixe added.

Renewable energy

In the company’s continued effort to construct more environmentally friendly buildings worldwide, the Scherwin factory will seek leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto worldwide

Launched in 2006 in Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom, Nescafé Dolce Gusto is now available in 56 countries worldwide, with 41 of these countries in Europe.

By 2013 the brand aims to generate sales of CHF 1 billion.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto invests CHF 64 million to double coffee capsule production

MACHINE INNOVATION: Nescafé Dolce Gusto machines deliver professional 15-bar pressure, perfect for making espresso.

Nestlé will double production of Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee capsules with a CHF 64 million investment in a new international production line in Spain, creating 150 new jobs.

The new line will form part of the Nescafé Dolce Gusto site at the Company’s Nescafé factory in Girona, near Barcelona – the largest Nescafé factory in Europe.

It will increase production to more than 2.5 billion coffee capsules a year by 2012 for export to more than 20 European countries, as well as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Chile.

Nestlé made the announcement at the official inauguration of the Nescafé Dolce Gusto site, which already produces around three million coffee capsules a day.

ROYAL VISIT: The Crown Prince of Spain Felipe de Borbón and the Princess of Spain Letizia Ortiz attended the opening ceremony in Girona, Spain.

Crown Prince Felipe of Spain attended the opening ceremony, which was led by José Lopez, Nestlé Executive Vice President of Operations and GLOBE, and Bernard Meunier, Head of Nestlé Spain.

Mr Lopez said: “I am delighted to officially open the Nescafé Dolce Gusto site at our Nescafé factory in Girona; an investment which reflects our long-term commitment to Spain.

“We have chosen the site as the location for the new Nescafé Dolce Gusto international production line, as over time it has demonstrated its capabilities as one of our most competitive factories in the world, thanks to its highly qualified and committed staff.”

The CHF 192 million Nescafé Dolce Gusto site, built in 2008 at Nestlé’s existing Nescafé factory in Girona, has achieved record levels of production since operations began last year.

It will employ a total of 400 staff by 2012 as production expands to meet growing consumer demand for the Nescafé Dolce Gusto ‘coffee-shop-at-home’ system around the world.

It is the first factory in Spain to meet environmental sustainability requirements for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

COFFEE - HOWEVER YOU LIKE IT: The Nescafé Dolce Gusto system is a fun, convenient way to make great tasting coffee at home. No mess, no fuss - just great coffee.

A second Nescafé Dolce Gusto coffee capsule factory, located in Tutbury in the United Kingdom, is already running at full capacity.

Nescafé Dolce Gusto
The Nescafé Dolce Gusto machine system, which can make both hot and cold drinks, offers 16 varieties of coffee capsules including Cappuccino, Macchiato, Chococino, Cappuccino Ice, Espresso, Lungo and Classico Decaffeinato. Nesquik and Nestea capsules are also compatible with the machines.

First launched in Switzerland, Germany and the United Kingdom in 2006, Nescafé Dolce Gusto was introduced to Spain in 2007. It is now available in 39 countries, with an annual turnover of CHF 450 million.

Related information:
Nescafé Dolce Gusto TV advert
Nestlé Spain
Nescafé Dolce Gusto
Brands: Nescafé Dolce Gusto
Images from the event: Flickr photostream
Nestlé Spain press release - in Spanish: Nestlé inaugura la planta de Nescafé Dolce Gusto en Girona y anuncia nuevas inversiones (pdf, 40 Kb)

New Nescafé premium instant coffee uses micro-granules adapted to local tastes

FRESHLY BREWED TASTE: Nescafé premium instant coffee with micro-granules tailored for British, Mexican and Brazilian consumers.

Consumers worldwide can enjoy a new premium Nescafé that uses a blend of soluble and finely ground micro-granulated coffee designed to meet specific tastes in individual countries.

This month it has been launched in Brazil as Nescafé Duo Grão.

It was first launched to Japanese consumers as a luxury coffee called Nescafé Koumibaisen last year.

In the United Kingdom, it was launched as Nescafé Azera, and as Nescafé Molienda in Mexico.

The product aims to reach more consumers in more countries this year.

Different tastes

Nescafé asked researchers at the Nestlé Product Technology Centre in Orbe, Switzerland, to help them understand how to match its coffee to consumers’ taste preferences and habits.

The researchers found out that consumers in Mexico do not like bitter coffee, but prefer a smoother taste.

The Japanese like their coffee stronger and rich in aroma, while the British like a well-balanced coffee taste.

Brazilians prefer their coffee with a smooth but aromatic taste.

Tailoring the product

“From Brazil to Japan, we discovered that consumers have really diverse tastes,” explained Michael Briner, of the Beverage Strategic Business Unit at Nestlé.

“Lifestyle, consumption and daily patterns all made a difference so we used our coffee expertise and know-how to tailor the product to each country,” he added.

Determine different aromas

Nescafé selected a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans to achieve specific tastes, choosing beans that provided a smoother or more bitter taste.

The beans are either lightly or deeply roasted to determine the different aromas.

The roasted beans are then ground down to micro-granules and blended together with soluble coffee to provide a unique and specifically crafted cup of coffee.

Related information
Nescafé website

Read more about Nescafé
Nestlé launches coffee machine for small businesses in Europe

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé supports coffee farmers in India as demand for Nescafé grows

WORLD’S LEADING COFFEE: Nescafé was launched in India in 1963.

Nestlé is setting up its first coffee ‘demonstration’ farm in India to help farmers improve quality, productivity and sustainability.

The company is helping coffee farmers in the states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to develop their agricultural practices as demand for Nescafé soluble coffee grows in the country.

Nestlé aims to provide farmers with high-yielding, disease resistant plantlets developed by its research and development teams.

Through the initiative, the company seeks to source coffee sustainably by working closely with Indian coffee farmers and ensuring competitive prices, transparency and traceability.

Nescafé Plan

Nestlé’s work with Indian farmers is part of the company’s Nescafé Plan, a CHF 350 million investment in coffee projects over ten years.

The plan has already been established in China, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

It promotes responsible and sustainable practices across Nestlé’s coffee supply chain.

The plan’s objectives include doubling direct coffee purchases by 2015 and delivering 220 million higher quality coffee plantlets to farmers by 2020.

HIGH QUALITY: Nestlé will help farmers develop their agricultural practices.

World’s leading coffee brand

“Nescafé is the world’s leading coffee brand,” said Nandu Nandkishore, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Middle East.

“As a leader, we have a responsibility to continue to supply good quality coffee to consumers, while ensuring that coffee farming remains attractive for farmers and is sustainable across the value chain.

“The Nescafé Plan demonstrates our commitment to working with thousands of farmers around the world, including in India, to provide training and technical assistance,” he continued.

“By working with farmers in this way, we know where the coffee comes from, and they know they have a partner who will give them competitive prices for high quality produce.”

“There is a mutual interest,” he added. “If we want to be successful in the long-term we need to create value for our shareholders at the same time as for the communities in which we operate.”

One million Facebook fans

Nescafé coffee was launched in India in 1963. It is the leading soluble coffee brand in the country.

Products are available in different sizes and at different price points, from affordable single serve sachets to premium blends.

Nescafé’s popularity has led to it becoming one of the most followed consumer brands on social media in India.

Its Indian Facebook page, created in August last year, already has more than one million fans.

The page is linked to the brand’s national television advertising campaign 'Know Your Neighbours', starring Indian actress Deepika Padukone.

The TV commercials direct consumers to Facebook. There, they can join conversations and take part in competitions, as well as watch previous episodes.

Nescafé Plan underway in Colombia

COFFEE GROWERS TO BENEFIT: Nestlé will double the amount of coffee it buys directly from farmers and their associations over the next five years.

Nestlé today announced that Colombia will be the next coffee producing country to benefit from the Nescafé Plan.

Launched last August in Mexico City, the Nescafé Plan is a ten-year, CHF 350 million investment that brings together Nestlé’s commitments on coffee farming, production and consumption.

It will see Nestlé double the amount of coffee it buys directly from farmers and their associations over the next five years, eventually purchasing 180,000 tonnes of coffee from around 170,000 farmers per year.

In the first step in Colombia, the Nescafé Plan will directly impact around 1,200 coffee farmers. As well as expert training, they will receive thousands of high-yielding, disease-resistant coffee plantlets.

The plantlets will be used to renew around 700 hectares of farmland during 2011. A total of 50 million plantlets will be distributed in Colombia by 2020.

Manuel Andres, President of Nestlé Colombia, outlined the aim of the Nescafé Plan at a press conference in Bogotá.

He said: “We are proud to launch the Nescafé Plan in Colombia as part of our Creating Shared Value approach to business. For a company to be successful in the long-term, it needs to create value for its shareholders at the same time as creating value for the communities in which it operates.”

Nestlé’s commitment to buying coffee directly from farmers, without intermediaries, adds worth to the entire value chain. Luis Genaro Muñoz Ortega, General Manager of the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation

To carry out the plan, Nestlé Colombia will work in partnership with the Colombian Coffee Growers Federation (FNC), which represents more than 500,000 producers.

Fiona Kendrick, Senior Vice President of Nestlé’s Beverage Strategic Business Unit explained the alliance.

She said: “This is a new approach between a world-famous brand such as Nescafé, and a representative organisation of farmers such as the FNC, which seeks to deliver a better quality of life to its members.”

Luis Genaro Muñoz Ortega, General Manager of the FNC added: “Nestlé’s commitment to buying coffee directly from farmers, without intermediaries, adds worth to the entire value chain.”

Nestlé is already the largest direct coffee buyer in Colombia, accounting for the livelihoods of around 400,000 coffee growers and their families.

The initial stage of the Nescafé Plan in Colombia will focus on four municipalities in the region of Valle del Cauca: Andalucía, Bugalagrande, Sevilla and Tulúa.

The Nescafé Plan

DISEASE-RESISTANT COFFEE: By 2020, Nestlé and the FNC will distribute 50 million high-yielding, disease-resistant coffee plantlets to Colombian farmers.

The Nescafé Plan is part of a wider, CHF 500 million investment by Nestlé in coffee projects by 2020, including a CHF 150 million investment for Nespresso.

Nestlé will be assisted in meeting the Nescafé Plan’s farming objectives by the international non-governmental organisation Rainforest Alliance, partners of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN), and the coffee association, 4C.

With their support, all green coffee directly purchased by Nestlé will conform to internationally recognised 4C sustainability principles by 2015.

In addition, Nestlé will source 90,000 tonnes of Nescafé coffee in line with the principles of the Rainforest Alliance and Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) by 2020.

Also by 2020, Nestlé will distribute 220 million high-yielding and disease-resistant coffee plantlets, which will allow farmers to rejuvenate their crops, multiply yield and increase their income.

This will be done through partnerships with public and private institutions in countries including Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, where Nestlé has already distributed over 16 million coffee plantlets in the past ten years.

Tensie Whelan, President of the Rainforest Alliance, welcomed the Nescafé Plan at its launch in Mexico City, describing it as “an exciting opportunity to bring sustainability tools to thousands of farmers, including many who have not had the benefit of training and technical assistance”.

The Nescafé Plan follows Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan, launched in October 2009, a CHF 110 million investment to improve the sustainability of the cocoa industry which includes the distribution of 38 million high-yield disease resistant cocoa plantlets over the next 10 years.

Related information:
Nescafé Plan global launch
The Nescafé Plan website
Film: The Nescafé Plan - Beyond the Cup
High resolution images on Flickr

Nestlé launches coffee machine for small businesses in Europe

CAFÉ-STYLE COFFEE: A cappuccino at the touch of a button.

Nestlé has launched a new coffee machine designed to appeal to Europe’s millions of small businesses.

The Nescafé Alegria, which is being rolled out by the company’s ‘out-of-home’ food services business Nestlé Professional, is aimed at so-called ‘micro-enterprises’ of fewer than ten employees.

Micro-enterprises represent nine out of ten small to medium-sized enterprises in Europe, which in turn account for 99% of all businesses on the continent.

Nestlé says it has identified a gap in this market for a cost-effective system that allows small organisations to make a range of café-style coffees for their customers.

See how Nescafé Alegria works - watch the video

“The days of a plain black coffee are over,” said Michiel Kernkamp, Nestlé Professional’s Head of Beverages. “Consumers want something more complex.

“It’s an advantage for small businesses like hairdressers, florists or car dealerships to be able to offer their clients a latte macchiato or cappuccino at the touch of a button.

“You simply place a cup of fresh milk on the machine and it steams it from above with a hot water jet,” he continued. “No milk passes through the system, so it’s very easy to clean.”

GAP IN THE MARKET: The machine is designed to appeal to small businesses.

Unique cartridge

The Nescafé Alegria uses single ‘cartridges’ that can be slotted into the machine to fill its coffee tank.

The cartridges contain a blend of soluble and finely ground roast coffee. A single cartridge contains 115g of coffee, enough to make up to 120 espresso cups or 40 cappuccino cups.

“No other coffee machine on the market works this way,” Mr Kernkamp added. “For a small company with a limited number of staff, it’s very economic and efficient.”

Japanese design

The design of the Nescafé Alegria is based on Nestlé’s highly successful Nescafé Barista home coffee machine.

Available in Japan only, Nescafé Barista was created by Nestlé’s research and development network and launched in 2009. More than 750,000 have been sold since then, making it the most popular coffee machine in the country.

To adapt the system for small businesses in Europe, Nestlé Professional increased the size of its water tank and renamed it to complement the existing Nescafé Alegria coffee machine range.

From ingredients to solutions

“Coffee machines for small businesses have typically been either too small for customers to handle during peak times, or too large, too expensive and too time-consuming to operate,” said Marc Caira, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Professional.

”The Nescafé Alegria machine is another great example of how our out-of-home business is evolving from ingredients to food and beverage solutions that provide the right balance of quality, accessibility, time and cost for businesses of all sizes.”

European roll out

The Nescafé Alegria machine has already been launched in five countries in Europe including the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland and Russia.

It can be bought online and from office suppliers and cash-and-carry stores.

Nestlé Professional plans to roll out the machine in other European countries later this year. The company may also launch it in Latin America and other parts of Asia.

Nestlé launches CHF 500 million global plan for sustainable coffee

RESPONSIBLE FARMING: Rainforest Alliance welcome the plan and are looking forward to the collaboration with Nestlé

Nestlé, the world’s biggest buyer of coffee, will invest CHF 500 million in a wide-ranging plan to address responsible farming, sourcing and consumption across its coffee supply chain.

Nestlé, which purchases around 780,000 tonnes of green coffee a year or 10% of the world’s supply, unveiled the Nescafé Plan in Mexico City today.

The Nescafé Plan is a global initiative and builds on the CHF 200 million the Company has already invested in the coffee industry over the past 10 years.

The Rainforest Alliance, an international non-governmental organization, will support Nestlé together with other partners of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) and the coffee association, 4C, in meeting the Nescafé Plan objectives related to farming.

Under the Plan, Nestlé will:

Double the amount of coffee Nestlé buys directly from farmers to 180,000 tonnes over the next five years. In addition 90,000 tonnes of Nescafé coffee will be sourced according to the Rainforest Alliance and Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) principles by 2020.
Deliver 220 million high yielding, disease-resistant plants to farmers over the next 10 years.
Ensure all directly purchased green coffee will meet 4C sustainability standards by 2015.
Reduce the environmental footprint of its coffee producing factories around the world.
Increase the number of agronomists from 24 to 96 and field technicians to 350 who will provide technical assistance and advice on farming and harvesting to 10,000 coffee farmers a year.
Establish 300 demonstration farms showing best practices.

Tensie Whelan, the President of the Rainforest Alliance, welcomed the initiative and said the Rainforest Alliance looked forward to working with Nestlé to implement the Nescafé Plan.

Ms Whelan said: “The Nescafé Plan is about looking ahead, to the future of coffee farming. We see this collaboration as an exciting opportunity to bring sustainability tools to thousands of farmers, including many who have not had the benefit of training and technical assistance.”

Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke who announced the plan in Mexico City said: “We are proud that Nescafé, the world’s leading coffee brand, gives its name to this global initiative which creates value across the supply chain, from farmers to consumers, to us. Creating Shared Value is an integral part of our business strategy. For a company to be successful in the long term, it needs to create value at the same time for its shareholders and the communities in which it operates.”

The Nescafé Plan comes on top of Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan, launched in October 2009, a CHF 110 million investment to improve the sustainability of the cocoa industry which includes the distribution of 38 million high-yield disease resistant cocoa plantlets over the next 10 years.

Facts and figures

Around 4,600 cups of Nescafé are consumed around the world every second
Nescafé was first launched in 1939 when Nestlé invented soluble coffee
Nestlé has 26 Nescafé factories around the world
There are no chemicals used in the processing of soluble coffee. The beans are simply roasted and dried

Related information
Nescafé website

Nespresso reaffirms support for Colombian coffee growers with five year investment programme

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES: More coffee farmers will have the opportunity to improve their farming techniques.

More coffee farmers in Colombia will have the opportunity to improve the quality of their crop and the sustainability of their farming practices after Nespresso committed to five more years of investment in its sustainability programme in the country.

Nestlé’s premium portioned coffee brand will invest USD 10 million (about CHF 9 million) a year for the next five years in the ‘Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Programme’ in Colombia, adding to USD 30 million already invested.

About three quarters of the money spent each year will be used to offer incentives to farmers to adopt the AAA programme’s sustainable quality practices.

The rest will be allocated to providing technical assistance and training to help farmers improve coffee quality, sustainability and productivity.

“Proud of our cooperation”

In Colombia, Nespresso works in partnership with the Colombian Coffee Growers’ Federation (FNC) to source sustainable, high quality coffee for consumers.

“We are extremely proud of our cooperation with Nespresso,” said Luis G. Muñoz, Chief Executive Officer of the FNC.

“It is clear that when roasters take the time to understand how to collaborate effectively with farmers, the results are much more effective.

“This partnership has made a significant difference to coffee growers, consumers and perhaps the industry as a whole.”

Tripled volume

Nespresso buys coffee directly from more than 37,000 Colombian farmers through its AAA programme in collaboration with the FNC and its partners.

In 2011 Nespresso sourced about one quarter of its total coffee supply from Colombia.

The company has tripled the volume of coffee it sources through the programme in Colombia over the past six years.

"This partnership has made a significant difference to coffee growers, consumers and perhaps the industry as a whole." Luis G. Muñoz, Chief Executive Officer of the FNC.

Confidence in Colombia

“We are pleased to announce the continuation of our long-term commitment to Colombia and Colombian farmers by extending our partnership with FNC,” said Guillaume Le Cunff, Director of Marketing and Sustainability at Nestlé Nespresso S.A.

“This new investment confirms the key role Colombia and its farmers play in securing coffees of exceptional quality for Nespresso.

“It reflects our confidence in the future of coffee growing in Colombia,” he added.

Innovative blends

Today, farmers from five main regional districts of Colombia - Cauca, Nariño, Caldas, Antioquia and Huila - participate in the Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Programme.

They represent 80% of all farmers taking part in the programme worldwide.

Nespresso has worked closely with its Colombian partners to produce a number of innovative ‘Grand Cru’ coffee varieties.

These include Rosabaya de Colombia, created using coffee from a single origin rather than a mixture, and limited edition Dhjana, produced exclusively with coffee from the AAA programme.

The company created its Naora limited edition blend for spring 2012 using a ground-breaking late harvest technique with coffee beans from the regions of Santander and Tolima.

Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality Programme

Nespresso launched its ‘AAA Sustainable Quality Programme’ in collaboration with international non-government organisation the Rainforest Alliance in 2003.

It aims to provide the highest quality coffee to consumers and protect the natural environment, while improving the livelihoods of coffee farmers.

Nespresso hopes to source 80% of its overall coffee supply through the AAA programme, with Rainforest Alliance certification, by 2013.

Nestlé strengthens Nespresso with CHF 300 million investment in Switzerland

CONSUMER DEMAND: Nespresso is to increase coffee capsule production and create 400 new jobs.

Nestlé is strengthening its premium portioned coffee brand Nespresso by investing CHF 300 million to meet growing consumer demand worldwide.

The company is to build a new factory in Romont in the Swiss canton of Fribourg to increase coffee capsule production.

Nespresso’s third production site will boost employment in the region, creating 400 new direct jobs in the long term.

It is the latest multi-million Swiss Franc investment that Nestlé has made in Nespresso in the last three years.

CHF 300 million was invested to build Nespresso’s second production and distribution centre in Avenches, Switzerland, in 2009.

"Long term development"

“For Nespresso, today marks a strategic investment in its long-term business development,” said Patrice Bula, Executive Vice President for Nestlé, responsible for the Strategic Business Units, Marketing, Sales and Nespresso.

“Some 25 years after creating the portioned coffee segment, the third Nespresso production centre will provide the capacity needed to sustain growth in Europe and develop our brand globally,” he added.

Further expansion

Construction of the factory is due to begin before the end of the year. It will be operational by 2015.

The factory will be one of three Nespresso production sites in Switzerland.

In addition to Avenches, Nestlé opened its first Nespresso production centre in Orbe.

Strengthening capabilities

Nespresso has continued to grow since it was launched by Nestlé over a quarter of a century ago.

Last year, Nespresso achieved sales of more than CHF 3 billion and growth of about 20%.

Strengthening its capabilities in emerging and developed markets, it has recently opened boutiques in Doha in the state of Qatar, Seoul in South Korea and Innsbruck in Austria.

There will be over 300 Nespresso boutiques worldwide by the end of 2012.

Renewable energy

As part of Nestlé’s continued effort to construct more environmentally friendly buildings worldwide, the new factory in Romont will use renewable energy produced by its coffee roasting technology to heat the building.

This is one example of how the company is using its unique sustainable platform Nespresso Ecolaboration to reduce its environmental impact.

The initiative was launched in 2009 with a commitment to source high quality sustainable coffee, increase capsule collection recycling capacity and reduce its carbon footprint.

“Quality and innovation”

“Nespresso is a Swiss company. We have a reputation for quality and innovation in our home market and worldwide,” said Daniel Lagger, Director of Operations for Nestlé Nespresso S.A.

“Our new investment reinforces this.”

Investing in Switzerland

Other parts of the Nestlé group are investing in Swiss facilities.

Cereal Partners Worldwide, a joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills, invested CHF 50 million in 2009 in a new innovation centre in Orbe dedicated to develop nutritious breakfast cereals.

In the same year Nestlé invested CHF 25 million in a new Chocolate Centre of Excellence in Broc.

In 2008 the company invested CHF 180 million over three years in its Nestlé Nutrition production site in Konolfingen.

“In the last ten years, Nestlé has invested over CHF 3.3 billion and created more than 3,000 jobs in Switzerland,” said Eugenio Simioni, Market Head for Nestlé Switzerland S.A.

“We have four new inaugurations already scheduled in Switzerland by the end of 2012,” he added.

Nespresso opens new boutique in New York

NESPRESSO SOHO: The coffee bar will serve the 16 Grand Crus, offer espresso and espresso-based beverages, and serve a light menu for breakfast.

Nestlé Nespresso this week opened its second boutique in the American city of New York bringing a new coffee culture to this trend-setting metropolis.

Located in the SoHo area in downtown Manhattan, the New York location joins other new Nespresso boutiques opened this year in the international cities of Shanghai in China, Miami in the United States, Cape Town in South Africa and a flagship boutique in Brussels, Belgium; as Nespresso continues to grow its global retail network to more than 220 boutiques this year.

Richard Girardot, CEO of Nestlé Nespresso S.A., said: “Our boutiques are embassies for our brand. They enable consumers new to Nespresso to meet the brand and explore its deep coffee expertise – which is so important as Nespresso builds its presence in new markets.”

Frederic Levy, President of Nespresso North America, added: “The New Coffee Culture is about giving people the opportunity to truly savour and enjoy a premium coffee experience whether in a Nespresso Boutique or at home. While we have grown exponentially in the United States over the past few years, there is still a large, untapped coffee-loving population that is not engaged in the Nespresso brand. SoHo, New York is a natural fit for Nespresso because it is a gateway to the US for many European luxury brands.”

The SoHo location – one of 10 brand-operated boutiques throughout the United States – has a coffee bar that will serve the 16 Grands Crus, offer espresso and espresso-based beverages, and serve a light menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Customers will be able to purchase the full range of stylish machines, accessories and high-quality Grand Cru coffees.

The new addition is the latest indication of the brand’s continued worldwide growth. With its 4,500-strong worldwide team, Nespresso continues to deliver strong leadership and continuous innovation in the premium portioned coffee sector, following the opening of its first boutique in Paris in 2000.

A decade later, Nespresso’s steady global expansion will also take it to Sydney in Australia and a new flagship boutique in Munich in Germany – all scheduled for 2010.

Related information:
Nespresso website

New Nespresso limited edition coffee draws on wine-making technique

CASTILLO VARIETY CHERRIES: Coffee beans at different stages of ripening leading to the proper maturation for Naora Limited Edition coffee.

Nestlé’s premium portioned coffee brand Nespresso has developed a technique similar to that used to produce fine wine, to create its new limited edition Grand Cru coffee Naora.

Specially selected Colombian Castillo coffee bean ‘cherries’ are left to mature on the plant until the last possible moment, giving them a distinct taste.

The ‘late harvest’ technique requires tight control of growing conditions to ensure the beans are picked when they have reached optimum maturity.

Even a few days delay past that point can affect the taste and mean the whole harvest is wasted.

Ability to over ripen

Nespresso has worked with the National Federation of Colombian Coffee Growers to perfect the technique which was heavily influenced by oenology, the study of wine.

Colombian Castillo coffee cherries were chosen for their ability to over ripen while still staying attached to the coffee plant.

Their maturity gives the Naora blend its distinctive blackcurrant and blueberry taste.

The ‘late harvesting’ technique means they can absorb the maximum amount of nutrients during growth which helps create a better aroma.

PERFECT TIMING: A refractometer measures sugar content of the Castillo coffee cherries to ensure the beans are harvested at the ideal maturation stage.

Approaching coffee like wine

Nespresso experts approach coffee tasting in the same way that sommeliers approach wine tasting.

The Nespresso Coffee Codex gives international chefs and sommeliers the information they need to match individual coffees with gourmet cuisine and enhance the dining experience for consumers.

It describes the sourcing process, from bean to cup, the art of coffee tasting, and how to match premium coffee with other food and beverages. It also provides insight from international sommeliers.

“We applied the vocabulary of wine tasting to the art of tasting coffee,” explained Giuseppe Vaccarini, co-author of the Codex and leading member of the Association International of Sommeliers.

“Not only does it reflect the parallels between the two fields, it also enables the sommelier to effectively identify and describe the characteristics of coffee needed to make ideal pairings with other food and beverages,” he added.

Unique blend

Naora is a one-off unique blend that joins Nespresso’s collection of 16 permanent Grand Cru coffees.

The company introduces a Limited Edition three times a year for a short period of time.

Related information
Nespresso website

Read more about Nestlé Nespresso
Nespresso News & Features
Ecolaboration, the Nespresso platform for sustainable innovation
Spotlight on machine innovation and technology at Nestlé

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé accelerates research on diabetes

IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE: The Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences aims to help prevent or alleviate chronic diseases such as diabetes.

The Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) is developing an innovative research programme in diabetes.

The research is based on living models of cells of the human pancreas, which play a key role in the control of blood glucose. The NIHS is creating the models using stem cell technology, licensed from ViaCyte. The research does not involve any human embryos. Instead the NIHS will use stem cells created from human adult cells, using a pioneering method of reverse engineering.

NIHS will use the technology to study the biological mechanisms of blood glucose control at the molecular level, and to better understand how this goes wrong when people develop diabetes.

In the future, the NIHS will extend its use of this breakthrough technology to address other aspects of metabolic health, as well as gastrointestinal health and brain health. Our ultimate goal is to use the research to develop personalized nutrition solutions to help promote health and help prevent chronic diseases, such as diabetes.

Professor Emmanuel E Baetge, Head of the Nestlé Institute of Health Science, said: "The technology we are licensing from ViaCyte will not only provide a unique tool for modeling human diabetes in the laboratory – it will also extend and complement our current scientific capability, and supports the mission of the Nestlé Institute of Health Science to become a world leader in the area of personalised nutrition for health and chronic diseases."

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé acquires leading culinary company in Ukraine

MIVINA BRAND: The product range includes instant noodles and mashed potato.

Nestlé has acquired LLC Technocom in Ukraine, a market leader in culinary dehydrated products under the Mivina brand. The acquisition price has not been disclosed.

The acquisition enables Nestlé to complement its culinary portfolio in Ukraine and boost its presence in one of the fastest growing segments of the Ukrainian food market. Due to Nestlé’s strong supply and distribution network in Europe, Mivina products will be more widely available, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.

The varied product range also strengthens Nestlé’s Popularly Positioned Products (PPP) strategy which aims to offer consumers high-quality nutritious foods at an affordable price.

Founded in 1993, Technocom has two factory sites located in Kharkov, with 1,900 employees and a turnover of around USD 100 million (over CHF 108 million). Its products are exported to 20 countries including Russia, the Baltic States, Hungary, Germany, Israel, Poland and Romania.

Over the past 15 years, Nestlé has built up a strong presence in Ukraine. The Company markets internationally recognised brands such as Nescafé, Nesquik, Nuts, Kit Kat, Lion and local brands such as Torchyn and Svitoch.

Related information:
Mivina website
Nestlé Ukraine

Nestlé addresses water urbanisation at World Water Week

SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE: Young boy drinks from a water fountain in Sri Lanka funded by Nestlé.

Nestlé demonstrates its leadership and commitment to tackling global water issues at World Water Week 2011 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman, and José Lopez, Executive Vice President for Nestlé, heading Operations and GLOBE, will participate in the seven-day event which aims to address the topics of rapid urbanisation, competition for water, and global and governmental challenges.

Hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week – which takes place during August 21-27 – acts as the annual focal point for the planet’s most urgent water-related issues since 1991.

Aiming to provide a unique forum for experts, practitioners, decision-makers and leaders from around the globe to exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions, the theme for this year is Water in an Urbanising World.

Nestlé at World Water Week

Crediting Nestlé’s leadership, performance, and efforts to improve the water management in its supply chain, the Stockholm Industry Water Award will be presented to Mr Brabeck-Letmathe at a ceremony on Wednesday, August 24.

The prestigious honour – originally announced by the SIWI in June – recognises the Company’s efforts to improve water efficiency of its own operations, while also commending Nestlé’s work with suppliers, particularly farmers.

On the same day, Nestlé will also participate in the ‘Founders Business Seminar 2011 on Water, Energy and Food Security in the Urban Context – The Role of Business’, in which Mr Brabeck-Letmathe will provide a presentation on water and food security from a business perspective.

A panel discussion will follow to examine how water, energy and food are linked and will impact the way business and cities operate.

Panellists include Jeremy Bentham, Vice President, of the Global Business Environment for Shell; Olaf Jansen, European Hub Manager of the Water Technology Business for Siemens; Ed Piñero, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer for Veolia Water North America; and Gerd Löbbert, Executive Vice President for Polyolefins, Borealis.

Mark Smith, Director, of the Global Water Programme for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); and Ms Usha Rao-Monari, Global Head of Water for the Infrastructure and Natural Resources Department, at the International Finance Corporation, will also take part in the discussion.

In addition, Mr Lopez will address the subject of how the transition to clean and green growth is closely tied to opportunities to develop renewable forms of energy for expanding cities, populations and wealth worldwide, during the ‘Focus: Water in a Green Economy’ seminar on Thursday, August 25.

Later that day, the Company will take part in the ‘Business and the Human Right to Water and Sanitation’ seminar, exploring how companies can ensure their operations are in line with the issue of the human right to water and sanitation.

Nestlé – along with other government and industry representatives – will share how the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) Report relates to its own work and business practices in relation to such urgent issues.

ZERO WATER DISCHARGE: Khun Taleungkiet at the Chachoengsao coffee factory in Thailand, testing the quality of water that has been treated for re-use.

Water at Nestlé

In illustrating Nestlé’s commitment and leadership to improve water management in its supply chain, since 2000, the Company has reduced its overall water withdrawals by over a third. This represents a decrease of its water usage from more than five litres of water per USD of sales a decade ago, to less than 1.4 litres today.

Moreover, Nestlé aims to reduce its water consumption on a comparable basis by a further 10-15% over the next five years.

Already in action, 70% of Nestlé’s rural factories in developing countries have a Nestlé-built water treatment plant.

And in continuing its drive to increase clean water in communities, Nestlé has led 184 clean drinking water projects in village schools near its factories in South East Asia, benefiting over 100,000 people.

The Company has also scaled up its involvement with external bodies to illustrate its on-going leadership on water awareness.

Nestlé is a founding signatory of the United Nations Global Compact CEO Water Mandate in which the 76 companies work with environment organisations and other stakeholders on Water Disclosure, Public Policy Engagement, and the Human Right to Water.

The Company’s focus on water is also recognised in its work with the 2030 Water Resources Group (WEF-WRG). Chaired by Mr Brabeck-Lethmathe, Nestlé plays a significant role in the alliance to address the water issue with a broad-based approach.

Under this methodology, the WEF-WRG offers governments a set of analytical and practical tools to overcome shortfalls and to re-allocate water in case of new demand. The main element of the toolbox is the water cost curve – a fact-based, comprehensive combination of demand side and supply side levers to bring overall water withdrawals in individual watersheds back into line with natural renewal.

Furthermore, since 2006, Nestlé signed a partnership with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The partnership, renewed last year, will focus on water and sanitation for around 65,000 people in Côte d’Ivoire until 2013.

In addition, the Company has partnered with Swiss Development Agency (SDC) and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to assess the water impact of coffee production.

Nestlé is also a member of the Water Footprint Network and participates in a Water Footprint Consortium of Swiss companies in Colombia, initiated by the SDC.

Nestlé adds augmented reality to its cereal boxes worldwide

CEREAL BOXES: Brands such as Chocapic, Nesquik and Cini-Minis are among those included in the interactive promotion.

Nestlé innovatively transforms millions of its cereal boxes into a video game to offer people a unique online virtual experience.

The Company has added 3D augmented reality to over 26 million of its cereal boxes in 53 countries for Twentieth Century Fox’s new animated film RIO. RIO is the story of Blu, a bird from a small Midwestern town who cannot fly but who suddenly finds himself in the colourful, exciting and magical world of Rio, where he ultimately discovers that he has what it takes to really soar.

Cereal brands such as Nesquik, Chocapic, Cookie Crisp, Cini-Minis, Estrelitas, Honey Stars, Koko Krunch Milo, Nescau and Trix are among those included in the interactive promotion.

Combining augmented reality with 3D animation, the fun game was created by Augmented Reality designers Dassault Systèmes. (See the game in action on Dassault Systèmes website)

Using a tag cut out from the back of the cereal box, players can interact with the main RIO bird character Blu, by using a computer with a webcam, internet connection and an online augmented reality application.

Players can then also discover another RIO character called Jewel, and make them virtually come to life in a real personal environment enriched with 3D backgrounds.

In its third consecutive collaboration with Dassault Systèmes, Nestlé launched its first successful marketing initiative in France in 2009, winning a prestigious French "Observatoire de l’innovation publicitaire” award a year later.

Patrick Schoellhammer, Promotions Director for Cereal Partners Worldwide, explained its international reach and said: "Nestlé has always been a pioneer in digital marketing and having successfully tested the 3D experiential technology in our breakfast cereals in the French market, it was the right next step to run a programme internationally.”

Get involved – use the tag cut out from the back of the Nestlé promotional cereal boxes and log on to www.nestle-rio.com

Nestlé and Hsu Fu Chi partnership formally approved

Following the conclusion of the regulatory process, the partnership between Nestlé and Hsu Fu Chi, a leading manufacturer and distributor of confectionery products in China, is now formally established. Under the agreement, the Hsu Fu Chi founding family owns 40% of the company whilst Nestlé owns the remaining 60%. The partnership demonstrates Nestlé's long-term commitment to China and enhances our ability to grow our portfolio of international and local brands in this dynamic market.

Read the full press release issued on July 11, 2011
Nestlé to enter partnership with Chinese confectionery company Hsu Fu Chi

Nestlé and IFRC sign a new partnership renewing their collaboration until 2013

RENEWING THE ALLIANCE: Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and Secretary General of the IFRC Bekele Geleta, jointly sign the agreement at the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

Nestlé and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today renewed their collaboration for the next three years, with a special focus on building more resilient rural communities in Côte d’Ivoire.

Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and Secretary General of the IFRC Bekele Geleta, jointly signed the third partnership agreement at the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

Under this agreement, Nestlé will contribute CHF 2.25 million over three years focusing on projects related to water and sanitation, food security and to support the IFRC’s World Disasters Report. This commitment is part of Nestlé’s activities in relation to Creating Shared Value.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe praised the renewal of the alliance which also encourages Nestlé business units worldwide and Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies to establish relationships.

He said: “I am proud to be able to sign the third partnership between Nestlé and the IFRC. The partnership has been very successful and has made a big difference for thousands of beneficiaries in dire need.

“This partnership is also demonstrative of our Creating Shared Value vision. This is Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of its core business activities, namely water, nutrition, and rural development, where value is created both for society and the Company.”

Bekele Geleta, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said: “Nestlé is IFRC’s longest-standing corporate partner since 2002. Together we understand that healthy communities are key to sustainable development. Our work in Côte d’Ivoire ensures that best practices in development are applied where Nestlé and IFRC are working together to provide vulnerable communities with access to life-saving water and sanitation.”

He added: “We will continue to develop this partnership. We will tackle food insecurity, explore employee engagement, connect Nestlé business units around the world with our unrivalled network of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and look at ways of collaborating in response to natural disasters.”

Through water and sanitation programmes, the extended partnership aims to improve health and hygiene among schoolchildren, teachers and communities in Côte d’Ivoire, by rehabilitating infrastructure providing access to clean drinking water and sanitation, as well as through training and community outreach programmes.

In the area of food security, the collaboration will target the development of tools and needs-based technical support, benefiting from Nestlé’s expertise. By joining forces on food security Nestlé and the IFRC will collaborate in internal workshops but also enhance external advocacy on food security issues.

In addition, the partnership includes the sponsorship and support of the production of the IFRC’s annual World Disasters Report.

The Nestlé and IFRC collaboration was formally established in 2002, when a first partnership agreement was signed. Nestlé was founding corporate sponsor of the Africa Health Initiative () with its main focus on HIV/AIDS prevention programmes.

In 2006, when the partnership was extended for another four years, Nestlé supported projects related to the International Federation’s Global Water and Sanitation Initiative (GWSI).

Related information
Photographs available on Flickr

Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductor winner announced

AWARD WINNER: Born in 1983 in Freiburg, Germany, David Afkham received his first piano and violin lessons at the age of six. At 15, he entered his native city’s University of Music to pursue studies in piano, music theory and conducting.

The winner of the first Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductor Award is announced today.

David Afkham, 27, of Germany – member of the Richard Wagner Vereinigung in Bayreuth and of the Conductor’s Forum of the German Music Council – was crowned with the prestigious title after being chosen from 80 other candidates by the nine-member jury following a multi-stage judging process.

The Award, which aims to provide highly gifted young conductors aged 22-35 years old with a valuable boost in their career, includes the prize of conducting a concert with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra at 11h00 on August 14, 2010, in Salzburg’s Felsenreitschule. In addition, David Afkham will also receive a sum of EUR 15,000.

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman, praised the decision to create the Award and said: “I am delighted not only that such a worthy prize winner was selected, but also that we managed to inspire 81 young conductors to submit their application for the very first Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award.”

The tough entry process included presenting a curriculum vitae with photograph, a DVD including written statement on the interpretation of the piece performed using a personal approach, and a complete repertoire list with a special focus on music from the 20th and 21st centuries. Candidates also presented a list of completed projects and future projects, plus references.

In the final stage of the judging process, David wowed the judges in Portuguese capital Lisbon while conducting the Gulbenkian Orchestra, partner to the Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award.

The process was judged by members including Pierre Boulez, Patron of the Award, Franz Welser-Möst Chairman of the Jury, Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra and General Music Director Designate of the Vienna State Opera, and pianist Mitsuko Uchida.

Mr Welser-Möst hailed the performance and said: “David Afkham presented a unique demonstration of his ability and is a worthy winner of the first Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award.”

Born in Freiburg, Germany in 1983, David has had a firm background in music since an early age. He took his first piano and violin lessons at the age of six. At the age of 15, he attended piano studies at the Music University in Freiburg, where he also studied conducting and music theory. In 2002, he won the German national ‘Jugend musiziert’ competition.

In addition, David has held the assistant conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra role since 2008. He also holds the ‘Bernard Haitink Fund for Young Talent’ scholarship and works regularly with Bernard Haitink and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In the same year, he also won the Donatella Flick Conducting Competition.

This year, David worked with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the French National Orchestra, the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra, the MDR Symphony Orchestra Leipzig, the Orquestra Gulbenkian Lisboa, the Real Filharmonia de Santiago and the Lausanne Chamber Orchestra.

This summer will see his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra at the City of London Festival.

His future engagements include projects with the Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg, the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award: Roundtable on Creativity and Leadership

THOUGHT LEADERS: Roundtable panellists from left to right; Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation; Markus Hinterhäuser, Concert Director at Salzburg Festival; Petra Roth, Mayor of Frankfurt; Yannik Nezet-Seguin, Conductor; Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman and Walter B. Kielholz, Chairman of Board of Directors Swiss Re.

Leading personalities in the field of politics, culture and business attended a Nestlé-led roundtable to discuss Creativity and Leadership in Salzburg, Austria.

Issues including ‘How important is leadership?’, ‘Which qualities does a person need to be a good leader?’ and ‘Is creativity a crucial leadership quality for success?’ were some of the questions discussed at the event on Friday, August 13th.

Panellists included Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Chairman of Nestlé S.A.; Pascal Lamy, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation; Walter B. Kielholz, Chairman of Swiss Re; Petra Roth, Mayor of Frankfurt am Main; Markus Hinterhäuser, Concert Director of the Salzburg Festival and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.

Following the announcement on the winner of the first Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award on Monday, August 9th 2010 – an initiative by Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival to promote young conductors – the panellists agreed that the rapport between musicians and a conductor is similar in many ways to the relationship between an organisation and its leaders in other areas of activity.

Where a conductor may be seen as a CEO or team leader, and the instrumental groups may be business units or teams, together they need to find the best solutions for working together and producing an effective outcome.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe explained: “Every organization needs leaders and managers. A team, be it a management team or an orchestra, needs leadership and motivation to unfold its full potential and performance. At the same time, a leader is nothing without a team which follows the ideas. Directing a company requires a leader who is able to develop and communicate visions which can then be realised by the management.”

Elaborating on the qualities of a leader, Mr Kielholz continued: “The success of a leader is mostly based on qualities such as knowledge, preparation, discipline and the ability to express oneself in a meaningful and motivating way”, while Mr Nézet-Séguin added that another major quality is trust: “A lack of trust is a clear obstacle to leadership.”

However, compared to corporations, leadership in international politics is even more challenging, Mr Lamy stated. He believes that there is a general lack of alignment in institutions such as the World Trade Organisation, representing 153 nations, and added: “The political system creates no global leaders but local statesmen with very different interests and ideas. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to obtain a common sense which makes them understand that there are common challenges which can only be addressed by global leadership.”

Ms Roth recognised that leadership is a necessity as it enables the implementation of sustainable, responsible practices which should be at the heart of any political action. She said: “Leadership means power and power means responsibility. If you use it wisely it allows you to develop and build the future in a meaningful way for the next generations.”

When asked about the level of creativity in the Nestlé business, Mr Brabeck concluded: “Creativity is an important success factor. Being present all over the world, we constantly have to adapt to the changing needs of our consumers and this requires creative thinking. And last but not least, the transformation of Nestlé into a nutrition, health and wellness company requires creativity from many stakeholders within the Company.”

Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award
The Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award is attributed every year by an eminent international jury to a highly-gifted young conductor. The winner of the first award is David Afkham, a 27-year-old German.

Related information:
Salzburg Festival
More photos on Flickr

Nestlé app launched

NEWS ON THE GO: The app gives Nestlé investors online and offline access to the latest news and presentations from Nestlé, as well as background information and recent publications.

Nestlé backs its drive in technology by launching a new application for iPads and iPhones.

The Company’s first corporate app aims to keep investors and the media connected with online and offline access to the latest news, press releases, reports, presentations and a weekly share buy-back update.

Since its official launch on October 22, nearly 1,000 users have downloaded the application worldwide, in countries such as the United States, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Brazil and France.

Nestlé Investor Relations – who funded the application – kick-started the idea in July, working in alliance with Nestlé Corporate Media Relations; while external agency Sogeti India led development of the app from August.

Roddy Child-Villiers, Head of Investor Relations at Nestlé, explained the importance for such an application and said: “It was not created in response to an identified demand. Rather the app anticipated a need amongst the Nestlé community in the financial markets. Our feedback suggests that it is proving to be a hit as an efficient tool for our target audience.”

Peter Warne, Head of e-Communications at Nestlé, added: “We’ve had a mobile website for more than a year and now the app for iPhones and iPads complements this.

“Technology is the great enabler, and we can better understand the individual platforms and what their strengths and weaknesses are, both through engaging consultants with their expertise and the old-fashioned way of developing it and measuring the results.”

Once connected to Wi-Fi, the app automatically loads the latest information when opened, including large PDF files such as the Nestlé Annual Report. If connected to a 3G mobile network, users can choose whether or not to download these files. All this content is stored and can be accessed when offline.

The Nestlé app continuously supports the Company’s efforts to improve solutions, development and implementation, while maintaining value added and business relevant solutions.

Nestlé is looking into development of the application for other mobile platforms including Android and Blackberry.

The free application is available in the iTunes App Store, iPhone app iPad app

Related information:
Nestlé: Moving app-wards, Bowen Craggs & Co

Nestlé app on Android

NESTLÉ CORPORATE APP: the app is now available on all Android phones (HTC, Samsung...)

Nestlé extends its corporate application to Android users.

The app for Android mobile phones comes four months after the Company launched its corporate app for iPads and iPhones in October 2010.

The Nestlé app aims to keep investors and the media connected with online and offline access to the latest news, press releases, reports, presentations and a weekly share buy-back update. Users can also email Nestlé through the app.

It is now compatible with mobile phones which are running on the Google platform such as HTC, Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, or Motorola.

Working like the app for iPhones and iPads, once connected to Wi-Fi, the app for Android automatically loads the latest information when opened, including large PDF files such as Nestlé 2010 Financial Statements.

If connected to a 3G mobile network, users can choose whether or not to download these files. All this content is stored and can be accessed when offline.

The free application is available on Android Market.

Related information:
Nestlé app launched
Nestlé’s free mobile apps place brands in more hands

Nestlé assesses products worth CHF 36.4 billion to enhance taste and nutritional value

SENSORY TESTING: A session at the Nestlé Research Center.

Nestlé has assessed products worth CHF 36.4 billion in total sales with consumers over the past three years as part of its global strategy to enhance nutritional value while improving taste.

The Company’s unique 60/40+ programme - the largest of its kind ever to be deployed in the industry - firstly requires at least 60% of a large consumer sample to prefer the Nestlé product in a blind taste test against its direct competitors.

Secondly, where relevant, it requires the product to offer an additional nutritional ‘plus’, based on criteria recommended by world-renowned nutrition and health authorities, as well as on local public health and regulatory priorities.

Sanjay Sehgal, Head of Nestlé’s Corporate Wellness Unit, explained how 60/40+ underpins the Company’s worldwide approach to product development.

He said: “We employ the 60/40+ programme to deliver on both taste and nutrition. Since it began, more than half a million consumers have helped to shape our products by participating in testing.”

DEVELOPED THROUGH 60/40+: A special range of Herta brand Knacki sausages and Le Bon Paris cooked ham in France offers 25% less salt than the market average.

“From 2003 onwards, Nestlé was the first company in the food industry to put comprehensive policies in place for the systematic reduction of specific nutrients that are considered to be detrimental to health when consumed in excess, and also to offer consumers more essential nutrients or nutritious ingredients.

He pointed out: “We are committed to doing this without compromising on taste. We strongly believe that nutrition must also be pleasurable if it is to be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet.”

As a result of 60/40+, and through its comprehensive nutrition policies, Nestlé has reduced trans fatty acids, salt, sugar and saturated fats in products across its worldwide food and beverage portfolio, while offering consumers healthier options.

Targeting mainstream product categories

Each year, Nestlé selects a range of products across its 18 food and beverage categories for 60/40+ assessment, prioritising best-sellers and new innovations about to be launched in order to maximize its impact on consumer health.

The Company then focuses its advertising on those products which score highly in testing, to ensure they are made visible to consumers in a specific market.

In 2010, the range of new product innovations launched as result of 60/40+ included the iron, iodine, and vitamin A-fortified Maggi Masala-ae-Magic spice mix in India, developed to provide lower income consumers with a low cost but nutritious spice mix to add to meals.

CHILDREN'S LUNCH BOX SNACK: Uncle Toby’s Fruit Fix provides one serving of fruit as part of a balanced meal.

Meanwhile in Australia, the lunchbox snack Uncle Toby’s Fruit Fix was developed to provide schoolchildren with one serving of fruit and a source of vitamin C, folate and fibre.

Between 2005 and 2010, as part of the 60/40+ programme, Nestlé made significant salt reductions across a range of mainstream product categories around the world, either by renovating existing products or introducing new ones.

Renovations have included a 30% reduction in salt in the Company’s highly popular Maggi Masala Noodles in India and a 33% salt reduction in its Maggi bouillon cubes in the Netherlands.

Among the innovations are a special range of Herta brand Knacki sausages and Le Bon Paris cooked ham in France, which offer 25% less salt than the market average, and a new Benebien bouillon range in the Dominican Republic, which also offers 25% less salt.

Related articles:
Making nutrition the preferred choice

Nestlé awarded with ‘Committed to the Environment’ status

ECOLABORATION: The Nespresso sustainability programme has been applauded by the International Charter. Pictured above are Nestlé Nespresso representatives on a coffee farm in Guatemala with a Rainforest Alliance member, left.

Nestlé was honoured for its dedication to the environment with a prestigious title awarded by the International Charter (IC).

The IC – a global organisation dedicated to helping companies do business in a socially responsible way – presented the ‘Committed to the Environment’ award to Nestlé for its “good progress in understanding its environmental impact”, and “driving an environmentally conscious mode of business from the top down.”

In recognising companies that show leadership in managing their environmental impact; five areas of assessment including Governance, Strategy, Performance, Products and Projects & Initiatives, were reviewed to determine the evaluation process.

Under the Governance category, the Company scored a Number 1 rating and was hailed for its Creating Shared Value (CSV) vision, which “represents a clear strategy, and belief that both environmental and economic issues should be dealt with in unison.”

Analysis under the Strategy section showed that Nestlé was praised for its good understanding of its role and impact within its operating environments, forging strong links with specialist organisations and key opinion leaders. The CSV way of doing business was cited as an excellent example of a company attempting to understand the strategic implications of climate change and the issues concerning sustainability.

Under Performance, Nestlé marked a better than industry standard carbon/turnover ratio of 13.9 – falling well within the projected industry range. In addition, Nestlé also continues to excel in its performance by contributing to the Sustainable Agriculture Initiatives, complementing the development of water management best practice. This is illustrated by the reduction in water use in 2009, from 147 million m3 to 143 million m3.

In looking at the sector of Products, Nestlé was commended for its reduction in packaging. While under its Projects & Initiatives, the Company was applauded for recognising its role in educating consumers regarding the use and disposal of its products.

For example, through Ecolaboration, launched in June 2009, Nestlé Nespresso has consolidated all its sustainability efforts in coffee sourcing, capsule recycling and energy-efficient machines into one concerted programme. Nespresso aims to source 80% of its coffee from AAA Sustainable Quality Programme and Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, while tripling its capacity to recycle used capsules and reduce the carbon footprint of a cup of Nespresso by 20%.

The next International Charter review is due to be conducted in early 2011.

Related information:
International Charter
Nespresso Ecolaboration

Nestlé backs Millennium Villages Project with USD 400,000 boost

TRANSFORMING LIVES: The Millennium Villages Project demonstrates that investing in practical interventions such as improved seed and fertilizers for raising crop productivity, can lead to a transformation in village life.

Nestlé pledges USD 400,000 (over CHF 397,000) to support food and nutrition initiatives as part of the Millennium Villages Project.

The two-year funding boost aims to advance progress in eliminating hunger, increase food security, and achieve the nutrition-related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in the 14 Millennium Villages across ten countries in Africa.

The pledge was announced as world leaders met at the three-day United Nations (UN) Summit from September 20-22 in New York, to assess and accelerate progress towards the 2015 MDGs.

Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO, emphasised that its pledge reflects the Company’s commitment to nutrition, water, and rural development through its Creating Shared Value (CSV) business approach.

He said: “Creating Shared Value is a fundamental part of Nestlé's way of doing business. It means that for a company to be successful in the long term, it should not only create value for shareholders but also for society at large. We believe that businesses that build corporate social responsibility into their basic business model can make a significant contribution to society, and the UN MDGs. Nestlé is proud to support the Earth Institute in its global food and nutrition systems and to be part of this exciting time in proving how we can meet goals for global development.”

The Millennium Villages Project (MVP) – which is a partnership initiative between the Earth Institute at Columbia University in the United States, Millennium Promise Alliance and the UN Development Programme – works with impoverished rural communities to apply evidence based policies and interventions recommended by the UN Millennium Project. The UN Millennium Project was commissioned by the United Nations Secretary-General in 2002 to develop a concrete action plan for the world to achieve the MDGs and to reverse poverty, hunger and disease affecting billions of people.

The core idea of the MVP is to demonstrate that investing in practical interventions – such as improved seed and fertilizers for raising crop productivity, nutrition and school meals, long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets to reduce malaria, clinics to dispense effective treatment and care, and safe drinking water – would lead to a transformation in village life.

The 80 Millennium Villages, covering 500,000 people in “hunger hotspots”, in ten sub-Saharan African countries with varying agro-ecological settings, demonstrate that the Millennium Development Goals are achievable with the right approach and level of investment.

The commitment from Nestlé will help various nutritional campaigns in Millennium Villages that promote food access and production, antenatal nutrition, school meals programmes, and nutrition education. Plans also include capacity-building initiatives that will help Millennium Village communities meet their own needs for nutritional expertise.

Nestlé’s pledge will also support a campaign to improve nutrition in the Millennium Villages led by the Earth Institute that serves as a demonstration model for global efforts to eliminate hunger and decrease malnourishment.

Jeffrey Sachs, left, Director for the Earth Institute with Niels Christiansen, Nestlé Vice President of Public Affairs.

Jeffrey Sachs, Director for the Earth Institute, added: “This week, as leaders from around the world gather at the UN Summit, it is partnerships such as the one with Nestlé that move us closer to achieving the goals. A billion people on this planet are hungry – this is a global tragedy that requires urgent attention. The Millennium Villages in Africa are proving that we can meet Millennium Development Goals for nutrition and beat global hunger.”

In addition with this commitment, Nestlé expands its relationship with the Earth Institute in becoming a Strategic Partner of the Earth Institute Corporate Circle and joins key private sector leaders who are making considerable progress toward sustainable development.

During the UN General Assembly high-level events, Nestlé also presented the prestigious Sukuma Afrika Young Entrepreneur Award to Ms Elorm Goh, a Ghanaian entrepreneur, to highlight the eradicating poverty and hunger MDG Number 1.

The award was presented at a ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange in partnership with the United Nations and investment communications firm Africa investor.

The Sukuma Afrika Young Entrepreneur’s Competition is open to African youth up to 35 years of age, presenting a for-profit business model which contributes to one or more of the MDGs.

Nestlé boosts Chilean dairy sector with USD 100 million investment

OPENING CEREMONY: From left, Senator Andres Allamand, Fernando del Solar, Chief Executive Nestlé Chile and Senator Carlos Kuschel

Nestlé will invest USD 100 million in the construction of a new powdered milk factory in Osorno, southern Chile.

As the largest single investment in Chile’s dairy sector in the last 50 years, it reaffirms the Company’s drive to develop the industry through innovation, new technology and support for fresh milk suppliers.

The new factory will have a maximum output capacity of 35,000 tons of powdered milk products, mostly for export to Central America but with the potential to expand to other markets.

Fernando del Solar, Chief Executive of Nestlé Chile, was joined by Juan Sebastián Montes, Regional Governor of Osorno; Jaime Bertín, Mayor of Osorno; Members of Parliament; and representatives from the local community, at the factory’s opening ceremony last week.

Mr del Solar said: "With this factory we continue to consolidate Chile's dairy development. Today, 40% of local dairy exports are made by Nestlé and we expect to double this figure in the next decade.”

The move strengthens the close relationship Nestlé Chile has fostered with its 1,200 fresh milk suppliers through the Dairy Support Programme. As part of the Company’s long-term approach to Creating Shared Value, the programme helps farmers to increase milk production while improving quality.

The factory will benefit from the improved supply of quality milk produced as a direct result of the programme, while the increased demand it generates will boost local suppliers’ income.

With production expected to start by the end of 2011, and exports beginning in early 2012, the factory will provide approximately 230 direct and 1,000 indirect employment opportunities when fully operational.

In supporting Nestlé’s environmental policy, the factory uses leading-edge technology to meet specific sustainability requirements.

It will aim to cut carbon emissions by generating energy through a biomass boiler, while the building’s design will maximise the use of natural light to reduce electricity usage. A waste water treatment plant will allow water to be recycled for factory processes, reducing the amount drawn from wells.

Creating Shared Value

This is Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of its core activities, namely water, nutrition, and rural development, where value can best be created both for society and shareholders.

Nestlé brands get seasonal

Nestlé is delighting loyal consumers around the world with seasonal twists on much-loved brands.

As the year draws to a close, the Company has launched a series of special products dedicated to local tastes.

From vanilla and walnut Nescafé Winter Blend in Mexico, to Kit Kat Claus in the UK, and a collector’s edition San Pellegrino mineral water in France, these are among the innovations tantalising taste buds across the globe.

Novelty

New for consumers in Slovakia and the Czech Republic is Orion confectionery’s milk chocolate pig.

It links the Czech tradition of fasting before Christmas so as to be rewarded on the day with a plenitude-bringing golden pig, with the Slovakian idea that a golden pig guarantees good luck for New Year.

Complete with an icing kit, the figurine includes a blank chocolate plaque on which to write a message to someone special.

In Canada, Smarties’ unique Christmas line-up features a Giant Box of sugar-coated chocolate treats in festive red and green, printed with winter images. The Smarties Juniors Giant Tube has a coin slot for children to use it as a piggy bank when empty.

While for a limited period in the UK and Ireland, a Kit Kat stamped with a picture of Santa Claus is encouraging consumers to ‘Enjoy their Christmas break’.

Gift boxes

For the first time this year in Brazil, Nestlé has launched multi-category Christmas boxes. These combine foods traditionally associated with the festive season, such as panettone and condensed milk, along with a selection of new products, and some of the Company’s most recognised brands.

Marcelo Oliveira, Nestlé Brazil’s Panettone Marketing Manager said: “We saw this as an important chance to show consumers the wide selection of items that only Nestlé can offer in one product. People can enjoy their favourites, including Nescau chocolate powder and Nescafé soluble coffee, while also sampling new items such as Nestlé Classic Wafer Biscuits.”

And in mainland China, the Nescafé Yunnan Coffee set builds on a growing trend for premium gift boxes, which consumers can offer to friends, family and acquaintances as a gesture of respect.

Containing two tins of Arabica instant coffee – sourced from China’s Yunnan Province and processed in Nestlé’s Dong Guan factory – the sets combine a particularly local flavour with what is seen as a Western trend for coffee drinking.

In Mexico, Nescafe’s newly-launched vanilla and walnut Winter Blend was conceived to meet consumers’ preference for the season.

Mixing Robusta and Arabica beans with caramelised sugar and vanilla-nut, the limited-edition jar is wrapped in a distinctive snow white label. A Christmas tree-shaped window reveals the coffee inside, while aromatic technology releases the delicate scents and flavours upon opening.

New takes on tradition

In the Philippines, emerging consumers have the opportunity to purchase Ube Keso Leche Flan, a new addition to the Nestlé Sorbetes 3in1 range. This combination is based on the traditional Filipino delicacies Puto Bumbong and Leche Flan - desserts usually served during the holidays.

Nestlé Sorbetes is inspired by the Filipino ice cream sold in the streets via festively decorated street carts. It is part of Nestlé’s Popularly Positioned Products range, developed especially for lower-income shoppers.

In France, where it is traditional to serve ice cream logs at Christmas, Nestlé Ice Cream has strong leadership in the market. In November, the Company launched a new premium range under the confectionery brand Lanvin.

Available from major retailers in three varieties - Chocolat-Praliné, Trois Chocolats and Nougat-Praliné – the Lanvin ice-cream log offers premium quality at a price favourable to those found in French patisseries.

Alexandre Krouglikoff, Ice Cream Log Product Manager, explained Lanvin’s special connection to French culture: “The association with artistry and luxury began 75 years ago with the creation of our indulgent Christmas chocolate line L’ Escargot Lanvin and was emphasised by famous advertising campaigns with Salvador Dali in the 1960s. We wish to continue this legacy today with the new premium Lanvin ice cream log range."

Designing classics

In Russia, premium confectionery line Comilfo has created a special 2011 chocolate gift box for female consumers.

Resembling a diary to symbolise aspiration for the New Year, the box’s design emphasises Comilfo’s association with independence, femininity and freedom. It will be available until January and again on International Women’s Day in March, this time with a Spring theme.

Also debuting this season is still mineral water Vittel’s limited edition premium glass bottle, which can be found in selected restaurants in France and Belgium until the end of December.

Inspired by the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Art de la Table reflects the brand’s historical connection with the great French brasseries of the era.

Confirming Vittel’s creativity as leader in the café, hotel and restaurant sector, the label’s light aluminium design is a contemporary take on the period vogue for mosaic murals, plate glass windows, and curved architectural lines.

In addition, Italian sparkling mineral water San Pellegrino has also undergone a temporary transformation, after accepting Bvlgari’s invitation to mark the luxury jeweller’s 125 -year anniversary.

The result is an exclusive gemstone label which will appear on all S.Pellegrino bottles served and sold at Bvlgari’s international touring exhibition, currently showing in Paris until the middle of January. Until that date this bottle will be served in the city’s top restaurants and hotels, and is also available to buy in selected Parisian boutiques, including Collette.

Valeria Norreri, International Marketing Manager for S.Pellegrino, explained why the brand was approached. She said: “Bvlgari wanted every detail to be perfect. They felt that S. Pellegrino, with its worldwide reputation as the gourmet’s fine-dining water, was the natural choice.”

For table-conscious consumers' end of year celebrations all over the world, S.Pellegrino has maintained its annual tradition of producing a winter retail special, adorned this year with tiny stars.

Valeria Norreri continued: “Now is the time when people celebrate at home with a number of special things on their table. S.Pellegrino consumers are loyal to our brand and we want to thank them with the very best-dressed bottle.”

Nestlé celebrates 125 years of Maggi liquid seasoning in Germany

WORLD`S BIGGEST MAGGI BOTTLE: Local people have traditionally referred to the tower at Kronberg Castle as the ‘Maggi bottle’, due to its apparent similarity in shape.

Nestlé celebrates 125 years of its Maggi brand liquid seasoning in Germany by transforming a historic castle tower into the world’s biggest ‘bottle’ of the product.

The Company unveiled a giant poster of the iconic condiment at Kronberg Castle, near Frankfurt – which is on display from now until September – as the first in a series of special anniversary events.

The poster, wrapped around the castle’s tower, has the first ever Maggi Würze bottle design from 1886 printed on one side and the current bottle design on the other.

The image is a reference to the local tradition of describing the structure as the ‘Maggi bottle’, due to its apparent similarity in shape.

Ingo Schaefer, Marketing and Communications Manager for Maggi in Germany, explained why the brand chose to begin its 125 year celebrations at Kronberg Castle.

TRADITIONAL PLACE IN GERMAN FOOD CULTURE: Maggi Würze was introduced to Germany in 1887, where it quickly became synonymous with contemporary cooking.

He said: “Germany is the biggest market in Europe for Maggi Würze, with around 19 million bottles sold here every year.

“The Maggi bottle not only has a traditional place in German food culture, but as the local nickname for the Kronberg Castle tower shows, it also has an affectionate place in German people’s imaginations.”

Furthermore, the poster installation at Kronberg Castle covers essential renovation work currently taking place on the building, which is being sponsored by Nestlé.

Mr Schaefer continued: “We wanted to launch our 125 year anniversary celebrations for the product by supporting a regionally important redevelopment project.”

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH: It took Julius Maggi, a Swiss miller, two years to bring his first food product to the market - a powdered mix of dried legumes and pulses, prepared as a thick broth.

In addition, the poster is accompanied by an exhibition which will also remain in place until September, revealing how Maggi Würze was introduced to Germany in 1887 and quickly became synonymous with contemporary cooking.

The ‘History of Taste’ presents a selection of items from Nestlé Germany’s main Maggi production factory in Singen, in the south of the country, as well as a variety of advertising posters through the years.

It features work from German artists - such as the Frankfurt-based Thomas Bayrle - who have used the bottle as a model for drawings, diagrams and oil paintings.

Other special anniversary events planned in Germany include the release of a series of limited edition Maggi Würze bottles later this year.

A brief history of Maggi

THE HISTORY OF TASTE: An exhibition at Kronberg Castle features a variety of Maggi advertisements from the past 125 years.

In Switzerland, in 1882, at the request of the Swiss Public Welfare Society, miller Julius Maggi began his research into how to create a nutritious vegetable food product for working families that was inexpensive and quick to prepare.

In 1884, his ‘Leguminose Maggi’ - a powdered mix of dried legumes and pulses, prepared as a thick broth - and his instant pea and bean soups, were introduced to and marketed in Switzerland for the first time.

They helped to establish Maggi & Company as a pioneer of nutritious but convenient food products.

Over the next two years, Mr Maggi continued to improve his Leguminose Maggi product, which by 1886 resulted in the launch of soup mixes. A year later, there were 22 different varieties of Maggi brand soup mixes on the market.

FOOD PRODUCTION PIONEERS: The Maggi factory in Singen, Germany was established in 1897 to produce nutritious but convenient food products for working families on an industrial scale.

Also in 1886, the company launched Maggi liquid seasoning, a dark-coloured, vegetable protein-based sauce designed to bring extra taste to meals.

Sold as an affordable alternative to meat extract, the product was introduced to Germany 12 months later, where it soon became a familiar addition to people’s dining tables.

Nestlé acquired the Maggi company in 1947. Today, the brand offers around 300 different products, including instant soups, stocks, bouillon cubes, ketchups, sauces, seasonings and instant noodles in a variety of countries around the world.

Related recipes
A selection of recipes from around the world which use Maggi liquid seasoning:

Maggi Australia: Nasi Goreng
Maggi USA: Steamed Shanghai Black Cod with Summer Vegetables
Maggi Germany: Seelachs im Reisblatt
Maggi France: Dés de poulet caramélisés et blé aux petites carottes
Maggi Spain: Ensalada saludable

Nestlé celebrates World Water Day with children from 25 different countries

WORLDWIDE WATER EDUCATION: Children across Europe will take part in Project WET activities.

Around 10,000 children in 25 countries will be offered the chance to learn about the importance of fresh water at educational festivals led by Nestlé Waters in partnership with Project WET this week.

The company has teamed up with the international non-government organisation to mark World Water Day, celebrated annually on 22 March since 1993.

The idea behind the global event – first initiated at the 1992 United Nations summit in Rio de Janeiro – is to promote the sustainable management of fresh water by focusing on a different subject each year.

To support the initiative, Nestlé Waters has invited local school children and their teachers to attend ‘Together for Water’ festivals at its sites, or nearby locations, in countries ranging from the United States to France, Lebanon, Brazil, Pakistan and China.

Pupils will take part in fun, educational activities developed by Project WET. The activities aim to increase their awareness of clean water’s importance in nature, for healthy hydration, and for good hygiene and disease prevention.

John Harris, President and CEO of Nestlé Waters, explained the festivals’ aim.

He said: “World Water Day is about water, the community, and engaging our employees. It is the perfect occasion to emphasise that we all have a role to play in protecting this essential resource.

“Children are the water stewards of the future. With Project WET’s educational expertise, we are committed to increasing their awareness of the importance of preserving fresh water, not only in their local area, but around the world.”

More than 400 Nestlé Waters employees will contribute in various ways to the success of World Water Day events this year.

In Italy for example, Nestlé Waters and Project WET are organising activities for school classes and members of the public in museums in Milan, Padua and Bergamo, on dates close to Tuesday 22 March.

While at Nestlé’s Henniez factory in Switzerland, staff will spend the day with groups of local school children, running Project WET exercises and explaining the company’s efforts to protect the mineral water’s natural source.

As part of its commitment to responsible water use, Nestlé Waters closely monitors and evaluates the level, precipitation and quality of the water resources it operates.

Over the last five years the company has achieved water efficiency savings of nearly 40% per litre of bottled water.

Nestlé Waters and Project WET

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an international non-government organisation based in the United States.

WATER STEWARDS OF THE FUTURE: Chinese school children learn about the importance of water.

It creates educational tools to raise awareness of water issues among school children around the world.

Nestlé Waters has been the main sponsor of Project WET since 1992, providing funding and operational support to a dozen countries including Vietnam, Hungary, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates and Mexico.

Most recently, in 2010, Nestlé Waters in China helped to launch Project WET (WET项目) at 18 primary schools in Shanghai, in partnership with the district’s Ministry of Education.

Nestlé CEO calls for new global principles to fuel development

LAST YEAR IN DAVOS: Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke will co-chair this year's World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

Nestlé CEO (Chief Executive Officer) Paul Bulcke will call for new global principles to fuel development as Co-Chair of the 41st World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2011.

The five day summit which begins today in Davos, Switzerland, will address the theme ‘Shared Norms for the New Reality’.

The event - expected to be attended by more than 2,500 international leaders from business, government and civil society - will be officially opened by Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation.

More than 35 heads of state are also expected to participate, including Felipe Calderón, President of Mexico; David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany; Herman Van Rompuy, President, Council of the European Union; Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France; and Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa.

As Co-Chair, Mr Bulcke will drive discussion to focus not only on the consequences of the recent financial crisis, but also on what shared standards are needed to make global cooperation possible, as the world enters a ‘new era of interconnectedness’.

In a recorded ahead of this morning’s opening press conference, Mr Bulcke described the WEF Annual Meeting as a unique opportunity to exchange ideas on important challenges on the global agenda.

He said: “The world is changing faster and more dramatically than ever. Rapid change brings increased volatility, uncertainty and ambiguity. With all that has happened in the past few years, it feels as though we are at a turning point.

“The theme ‘Shared Norms for the New Reality’ reflects this. Faced with short-term and long-term challenges, we must rethink our values, especially in the developed world. We have to organise ourselves in response to new challenges and refresh our regulations.”

Mr Bulcke also took the opportunity to emphasise that positive things are happening in the global economy, referring to the rapid development of emerging markets which has significantly reduced rates of absolute poverty.

He continued: “Companies and entrepreneurs small and large are creating jobs and opportunities, and meeting consumer demand. When run in a principled way, with strong values and a long-term perspective, business can be an engine for development and prosperity.”

Mr Bulcke will be joined in Davos by Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe. They will both participate in a number of sessions over the next five days, concluding with Mr Bulcke’s appearance in a panel debate on ‘The Future of Enterprise’ at 18.00 CET on Friday 28 January.

Related information:

World Economic Forum website

Nestlé CEO to debate ‘The Future of Enterprise’ at the World Economic Forum

ENTERPRISE FOR THE FUTURE: A shopkeeper stands outside his store in Punjab, India. Making small packs of products means they are more affordable for consumers.

Nestlé Chief Executive Officer Paul Bulcke will today discuss how more companies could benefit by focusing on activities that create value for shareholders, while advancing economic and social conditions in the communities where they operate.

As Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2011 which takes place in Davos, Switzerland this week, Mr Bulcke will form part of the expert panel debating ‘The Future of Enterprise’.

Mr Bulcke will outline how Nestlé has enhanced its competitiveness by building the Creating Shared Value (CSV) approach into its basic way of doing business.

Creating Shared Value for shareholders and communities

By focusing on three specific aspects of its core activities – water, nutrition, and rural development – Nestlé has identified those areas where it can best create value for its shareholders while also helping to address important societal challenges.

For example, in August 2010, the Company launched the Nescafé Plan in Mexico City, a ten-year CHF 500 million global investment to optimise its supply of quality coffee beans, by enhancing the livelihoods of the farmers who produce them.

Announced by Mr Bulcke, over the next five years the plan will see Nestlé double the amount of Nescafé coffee it buys directly from farmers and their associations, working to develop their skills by providing them with high-yield, disease-resistant coffee plantlets and expert technical training.

Nestlé is being supported in meeting the Nescafé Plan’s objectives in relation to sustainable farming by the Rainforest Alliance, an international non–governmental organisation, together with other partners of the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) and the coffee association, 4C. Visit the Nescafé website for more information about the Nescafé Plan.

Emerging markets - Affordable nutrition

While in emerging markets around the world, Nestlé’s Popularly Positioned Products (PPPs) are fortified to specifically address some of the most common micronutrient deficiencies among lower-income consumers. Available in smaller or ‘daily-portion’ packs to be bought on a regular basis, PPPs are manufactured from local raw materials to minimise value chain costs.

For Nestlé’s Maggi brand alone, 94% of its bouillons, seasonings, noodles and fixes are fortified with iodine, equating to 90 billion servings worldwide.

In India in 2009, the Company launched a Maggi PPP seasoning fortified with iron, vitamin A and iodine, as well as a Maggi PPP noodle fortified with iron and iodine. It also enhanced its standard Maggi 2-Minute Noodles with added protein and calcium, and made them available in a smaller, more affordable PPP pack.

Another example of Nestlé’s approach to CSV is its partnership with the East Africa Dairy Development Board in Kenya and Uganda. This aims to secure and increase sustainable milk production through a programme of technical assistance to dairy farmers set to double their income over a ten-year period.

Harvard Business Review features Creating Shared Value

Nestlé’s efforts to create shared value for its shareholders and society are highlighted as best practice in the featured cover story in the current issue of the Harvard Business Review (January/February 2011), co-authored by Professor Michael E. Porter.

Professor Porter, who will join Mr Bulcke on Friday evening’s panel, suggests that the Company’s long-term view is a more effective model of business in society than traditional examples of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Along with Nestlé, the Harvard Business School Professor and leading business strategist has been influential in communicating the concept of CSV to a wider audience. Read the article on the Harvard Business Review website

Forthcoming book reveals more about the Nestlé concept

The subject received further attention this week with the online release of extracts of a forthcoming English translation of Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe’s book,
“Peter Brabeck-Letmathe and Nestlé – A Portrait. Creating Shared Value”.

Originally published in German last year, the book reveals how under Mr Brabeck’s leadership Nestlé was one of the first leading global businesses to advocate CSV.

The portrait touches on themes of importance to Nestlé’s Chairman, such as the Company’s long-term strategy, leadership, innovation, water and CSV.

Mr Brabeck chose this year’s global WEF summit to announce the availability of a selection of English chapters of the book, which also features interviews with well-known figures such as Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations; Professor Michael Porter; and Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the WEF.

Nestlé Chairman calls for action from G20 leaders

CALLING FOR ACTION: Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman calling for action at the G20 Business Summit held in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe yesterday led a collaborative business group at the G20 Seoul Summit 2010 calling for leaders to “walk the talk” and engage in decisive action.

At this year’s Summit in the Republic of Korea, a total of 12 G20 Business Summit working groups – consisting of around 120 corporate chairmen and CEOs – produced a joint statement report to outline the most pressing challenges of the global economy and detailed targets for economic priorities.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe, who headed the Encouraging and Strengthening Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) working group roundtable, stressed the critical contributions of FDI on global growth and summarised that “decisive action will be required to regain momentum on FDI long-term flows”.

The group recognised the great potential of the African continent and agreed that FDI and Public and Private Partnerships (PPPs) will be key to unlocking its potential.

Key recommendations proposed by the group included ensuring broadening monitoring of changes in conditions for private investment; ensuring a clear and enforceable legal framework; working towards a multilateral framework for investment; and building a better understanding of the mainly positive impact of FDI (creation of shared value).

Opened by Head of State Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Zuma backed the conclusions of the working group and marked the challenges ahead, given the diversity in the development of national economies and difficulty to align national interests.

The target set by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to “encourage the private sector to now assume the leading role in generating growth”, resulted in group discussions and debates over the duration of four months ahead of the Summit.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe was joined by working group members Roque Benavides, CEO of Buenaventura; Vladimir Bogdanov, President of Surgutneftegas; Umit Boyner, President of TUSIAD; and William M. Daley, Chairman of the Midwest for JP Morgan Chase.

The group also included Rafael Del Pino, Chairman of Ferrovial; Ali Kibar, Vice Chairman of Kibar Holding; Khalid Al Jasser, CEO for Bank Al Bilad; Eivind Kolding, CEO of Maersk Line and Partner A.P. Møller-Maersk; and Hiromasa Yonekura, Chairman of the Japanese Business Foundation.

Similar to the FDI working group, each of the other 11 group roundtables highlighted its members’ recommendations for action by government, business, international organisations and civil society groups, which were all presented to the Republic of Korea as chair of the G20 and Summit members.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe and the other working group heads also took part in a press conference following the roundtable events.

The Group of Twenty (G20) – which consists of leading finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 countries – was established in 1999 to systemically bring together important industrialised and developing economies to discuss key issues in the global economy.

Its aim is to strengthen international financial architecture and provide opportunities for dialogue on national policies, international co-operation, and international financial institutions, while supporting growth and development across the globe.

Other working groups at the G20 Seoul Summit 2010 consisted of Revitalising World Trade; Funding and Nurturing the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Sector; and Supporting Economic Growth and the Implications for Financial Sector Policy and Regulatory Reforms.

In addition, the joint statement is backed by working groups in the categories of Reducing Monetary and Fiscal Stimulus; Closing the Gap in Infrastructure and Natural Resource Funding; Improving Energy Efficiency; and Encouraging Substantial Use of Renewable and Low-Carbon Energy.

Finally, the working groups of Creating Green Jobs; Unleashing Technology-Enabled Productivity Growth; Addressing the Impact of Youth Unemployment; and Increasing Access to Healthcare in Developing Economies, completed the joint statement pledge.

Related information:
G20 Website

Nestlé Chairman discusses good corporate governance

NESTLÉ CHAIRMAN PETER BRABECK-LETMATHE: "We aim for long-term sustainable value creation."

Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe discusses the Company’s approach to corporate governance in this recent video interview recorded with World Finance Magazine.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe spoke to the United Kingdom-based publication at its 2011 Corporate Governance Awards ceremony in London, where Nestlé received the award for Best Corporate Governance in Switzerland.

The World Finance Magazine annual awards honour corporations which have achieved excellent levels of corporate governance; opting to serve the best interests of their shareholders with maximum transparency.

Accepting the 2011 award on behalf of Nestlé, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe explained the Company’s approach to business, emphasising that Nestlé is not “looking for short-term profit optimisation” but aims instead for “long-term sustainable value creation”.

He also maintained that good corporate governance involves regular and open communications.

He said: “We are in constant contact with shareholders. We listen very carefully to what they think, and what they think good corporate governance should be.”

“The creation of trust depends on good corporate governance. Employees want to work for a company that has integrity. Shareholders want to invest in a company that has good corporate governance. Consumers want to know how a company is being run, if it is honest, and if it is controlled.”

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe concluded by saying that good corporate governance is about instilling the “right values” into the people and the company.

He stressed that people observe how company leaders behave to see if there is a conflict between what is being said and “what is actually being lived”.

You can watch the interview in full here.

Nestlé's 144th Annual General Meeting for shareholders will take place on April 14, 2011 in Lausanne. The speeches will be webcast live. More details can be found in our Events section.

Nestlé Chairman focuses on global water and food security at Harvard

Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe addressed the issues of global water and food security at Harvard Kennedy School in the United States last week.

Focusing his presentation on ‘Global Water and Food Security: A new role for the private sector’, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe outlined the immediate problem of worldwide water shortage and the importance and impact of food security, on October 28.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe highlighted the Company’s role in tackling such vital issues and said: “Good Food Good Life: this is why we from Nestlé are actively involved in the discussion on water – not all aspects of it, but those parts of the water issue that endanger food security in particular.”

Julio Frenk, Dean of Harvard School of Public Health, introduced the event with a number of panellists including Rebecca Henderson, of Harvard Business School; Rob Paarlberg, of Harvard Kennedy School and Wellesley College; and John Briscoe, of Harvard School of Public Health and Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

CHARTING OUR WATER FUTURE: This report provides greater clarity on the scale of the water challenge and how it can be met in an affordable and sustainable manner.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe emphasised that the issue of water scarcity is paramount to Nestlé, which has been involved in a report called Charting Our Water Future released in November 2009, by the 2030 Water Resources Group. It acts as a fact-based tool to help stakeholders make informed investment decisions and guide policy discussions on the issue of water scarcity.

Following a year-long collaboration involving McKinsey & Company and other organisations, the report was developed to take a first step in providing greater clarity on the scale and cost of the solution to water scarcity.

He explained: “We have to avoid the crisis, and the 2030 Water Resources Group has developed the tool with which to do so – the water cost curve. In individual river basins, about 150 different levers to reduce water withdrawals or increase availability at the right time are compared. They are then lined up according to the cost per cubic metre of water saved.

“For the first time water scarcity can be addressed with coherent, fact-based information. The curves show that the gap expected by 2030 can be closed, and closing the gap is affordable – even for India.”

Presented in Washington, and then in January this year in Davos, Mr Brabeck-Letmathe added that the tool demonstrated the impact of the Group. He added: “We received signs of interest from a significant number of governments at the highest political level, necessary because so many different stakeholders and ministries need to be involved in any such measures.”

Related information:
McKinsey Report: Charting Our Water Future

Nestlé Chile rebuilds earthquake-affected small businesses

A FRESH START: Shopkeepers Alberto, left, and Clorinda, right, take ownership of their new store.

A new social programme which aims to help small commercial businesses following the Chile earthquake is launched by Nestlé Chile.

The “Rebuild your little store with Nestlé” initiative aims to help business owners recover their labour sources after the impact of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in February that affected the south and centre of Chile.

The programme kicked off at Villa Prat, a rural town located 230 km south of Santiago, where the first – out of 30 new little stores set to reach other affected areas in the regions of Maule and Bio Bio – was delivered to Alberto Gaete and his wife, Clorinda.

Mr Gaete said: "It’s the starting point after we lost everything. This is unconditional support from Nestlé, who only ask us to use our best efforts to get ahead."

The programme includes the construction of a 3 x 2.5 m2 facility and the initial stock donation of Nestlé products; including dairy, infant nutrition, coffee, confectionery, breakfast cereals and powdered beverages. The only condition set to Nestlé’s partners is to sell the products at affordable prices that benefit the community as well as their own business.

In marking the occasion, an official ceremony was hosted by Fernando del Solar, Market Head for Nestlé Chile, who was joined by Rodrigo Galilea, the main regional authority and Francisco Meléndez, Mayor of Sagrada Familia and Villa Prat. They were also joined by Rafael Cumsille, National President of the Confederation of Retail Trade and Tourism of Chile, the community of Villa Prat and Nestlé employees.

Mr del Solar said: "This reflects the company’s efforts to encourage economic activity in this region, through this support given to our commercial partners. Here at Villa Prat, we have pioneered this initiative that will give our shopkeepers the tools to make their activities sustainable in the long term, in a joint effort with us. And this is what we call "Creating Shared Value."

Nestlé Chile also assisted communities by donating USD 500,000 in products including milk, biscuits and breakfast cereals to the earthquake zone. In addition, Nestlé Chile donated USD 1.3 million to a TV campaign “Chile ayuda a Chile”, set up to raise money to build 60,000 houses. Local employees donated an additional USD 120,000 to the TV campaign.

Related information:
Nestlé Chile

Nestlé chocolates invite romantics to share their love stories

Two of Nestlé’s most romantic confectionery brands will invite people to share their love stories on Valentine’s Day.

Rolo and Baci Perugina are marking the annual celebration of affection - observed by many countries on February 14 - with creative new ways for people to talk about their loved ones.

Do you love anyone enough?

ROLO-YALTY: The search has begun for the United Kingdom's Rolo couple of the year.

In the United Kingdom, ahead of the official royal wedding of the Queen’s grandson in April, the Rolo brand is launching a search for the nation’s favourite ‘Rolo-yal’ couple.

The 16-week competition, which begins today, invites fans of the milk chocolate coated caramel to share their romantic stories and photos on Facebook.

The winning pair will be treated like ‘Rolo-yalty’ for a weekend, with a chauffeur-driven trip around London and a night in one of the British capital’s top hotels.

Ally Ross, Assistant Brand Manager for Rolo in the United Kingdom and Ireland, explained why Valentine’s Day was perfect for the competition launch.

She said: “People in the United Kingdom have associated Rolo with romance for years, thanks to the famous long-running advertising slogan ‘Do you love anyone enough to give them your last Rolo?’

LOVE TO SHARE: Rolo has launched a new sharing bag in the UK and Ireland.

“In 2010, we invited fans to send someone their ‘virtual’ last Rolo via Facebook. The brilliant response showed us how much people like to engage with the brand and share their stories.

“This year, they will have even more opportunities to tell us about someone special. We expect to hear about partners, mums, grandparents, friends, and even pets!”

Every week of the competition, independent judges will select people for smaller prizes including weekend breaks and ‘Rolo-yal’ wedding memorabilia, such as cups and tea towels. The winning couple will be announced in April.

Rolo chocolate caramels are also available in other countries including Canada, Germany, Holland and Belgium.

PART OF THE STORY: People across Italy can add their messages to the country's longest love letter.

Say it with a kiss

In Italy, Baci Perugina praline will create the country’s longest love letter on February 14.

Major galleries in Milan, Rome and Naples, and Sanremo and Perugia, will host large-scale Baci Perugina visitor books for people to write their own definitions of love.

The books will be joined together to form a love letter – potentially kilometres-long – which will be kept in the museum of Perugia, the town from where Baci Perugina originates.

Created in 1922, each Baci Perugina, which means ‘kiss’ in Italian, is an individually wrapped dark praline with a chopped hazelnut filling and a whole hazelnut centre. Every praline contains a message in its silver wrapping.

Antonia Savio, Category Marketing Manager for Baci Perugina, explained why it has such a special place in the hearts of Italian people.

She said: “Baci Perugina is the market leader on Valentine’s Day in Italy. Here, 99% of consumers recognise the brand as the ‘ambassador of love’.

Every Valentine’s Day, we release a range of new products for people of all ages to communicate different kinds of affection - from cuddly toys for children, to red roses and Baci Perugina gift sets for adults.

“This year, our love letter will unite Italy from North to South. It will go on permanent display in the museum of Perugia, so people can be part of the Baci Perugina story forever.”

AMBASSADOR OF LOVE: Baci Perugina has a special place in Italians' hearts.

Italian consumers’ enduring connection with Baci Perugina is explained not only by the brand’s rich 89-year history, but also its ability to successfully combine traditional and new media communications.

Earlier this week, Baci Perugina released a new advertising commercial on television and You Tube, showing two lovers kissing in the rain.

Within two days it featured on the You Tube homepage as one of the most popular videos of the week, with more than 50,000 views.

On Facebook, where Baci Perugina has more than 870,000 fans, the brand is inviting people to submit their most romantic photos for Valentine’s Day. The best images will be featured in a virtual gallery on the fan page and also on the main Baci Perugina website.

Fans will also have the opportunity to reserve a ‘ticket’ to view the hit 2007 Italian film Lezioni di Cioccolato (Lessons in Chocolate) on the Facebook fan page on the evening of February 14, with the chance to win a day on the set of the new sequel, Lezioni di Cioccolato 2.

Related information:

Baci Perugina website
Baci Perugina Valentine's Day advertisement
Baci Perugina Facebook fanpage

Nestlé opens new unit to centralise global clinical development work

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE: The new unit in Switzerland will enable Nestlé to centralise its global programme of clinical trials.

Nestlé is centralising its work in clinical development with the opening of a new unit dedicated to the management of clinical trials.

The company’s Clinical Development Unit (CDU) will allow it to more effectively and efficiently evaluate the impact of its foods and ingredients on human biology and health, as well as on taste and pleasure.

Clinical trials are recognised by food authorities around the world as a robust way of evaluating the effect of nutrients or foods on consumers.

Nestlé has a long track record of carrying out clinical trials and publishing the results worldwide.

The company had more than 100 ongoing clinical trials in 2011 and expects to carry out more than this in future.

“Our clinical development work ultimately provides the scientific evidence as to whether our ingredients, new products, and product reformulations are effective in delivering consumer benefits,” said Werner Bauer, Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer.

“The new CDU is a strategic fit with our research and development commitment to provide innovative solutions for nutrition, health and wellness.”

Medical expertise

Nestlé’s CDU will provide medical expertise in different therapeutic areas.

It will also offer specialist knowhow in project management, data management and biostatistics – the use of statistics in the analysis of biological data.

The purpose-built building is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

It is the first time Nestlé has brought the management of its global clinical trials programme under one roof.

“The new CDU is a strategic fit with our research and development commitment to provide innovative solutions for nutrition, health and wellness.”Werner Bauer, Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer.

Metabolic Unit

The CDU houses a ‘Metabolic Unit’ for metabolic studies in healthy people, as well in those with health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and osteoporosis.

It will meet the company’s growing demand for in-house nutrition studies following the establishment of the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciencesand Nestlé Health Science in 2010.

The unit has exercise equipment to test strength, speed and endurance, and specialist scanners for measuring bone density and body composition.

It has ‘indirect calorimetry’ equipment for scientists to measure the energy people expend at rest and during exercise.

It includes sensory booths, a kitchen and a dining area, and a clinical observation space for metabolic studies.

The Metabolic Unit has been accredited as an affiliated private health facility by the local cantonal authorities.

Close collaboration

The CDU’s location will enable its researchers to work closely with other Nestlé scientists from the Nestlé Research Center and from the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences, which are also based in Lausanne.

The CDU will also work with many Nestlé R&D centres around the world, as well as in collaboration with universities worldwide.

Nestlé’s global R&D network comprises 32 Research, Development and Technology Centres and employs more than 5,000 people.

Nestlé and clinical trials

Nestlé adheres to the World Medical Association’s ‘Declaration of Helsinki’, which outlines ethical principles for research involving human subjects.

All the company’s clinical trials are conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP), an internationally recognised quality standard.

Its new CDU will oversee many different types of clinical trials, including randomised controlled trials.

It will also be responsible for managing all studies carried out in-house in the Metabolic Unit, ensuring they meet all relevant local regulations and GCP.

Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan extends to Indonesia

Nestlé gains momentum in its commitment to sustainable cocoa production with the launch of The Cocoa Plan in Indonesia today.

Aiming to impact on the lives of 10,000 Indonesian cocoa farmers and their communities by 2015, the Plan also seeks to increase cocoa productivity at farmer level by 30%.

As the third largest cocoa producing country in the world after Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, Indonesia will benefit from the Plan’s investment of over CHF 3.4 million (USD 4 million) over four years to train farmers, provide plant expertise, and support supply chain transparency.

In addition, it aims to improve livelihoods by focusing on projects related to nutrition education, water, and rural development, while also supporting the Company’s commitment to the environment.

Led by Nestlé Indonesia and supported by the Nestlé Research and Development Center in Tours, France, the official launch is in collaboration with the provincial Government of West Sulawesi and South Sulawesi in Indonesia, Armajaro, Petra Foods Ltd, and the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI).

The Cocoa Plan was launched at a cocoa workshop event in Makassar, where various topics discussed included objectives for Indonesian sustainable cocoa development; and opportunities and challenges to strengthen Indonesian competitiveness as a cocoa producing country.

Pierre Broun, Head of the Nestlé Research and Development Center in Tours; Hans Joehr, Corporate Head of Agriculture at Nestlé; and Michael Ulrich, Operations Manager of Nestlé Confectionery, also provided an insight into the Company’s global commitment on responsible sourcing of raw material and its approach to business with regards to Creating Shared Value.

Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan – launched in 2009 – aims to create a sustainable supply chain for the cocoa industry. By improving the quality and quantity of yields, this will provide better quality cocoa and, in turn, also benefit cocoa farmers and their communities by providing them with long-term security and training expertise.

Recognition in Côte d’Ivoire

Under The Cocoa Plan, Nestlé has provided an incentive of over CHF 880,000 (around CFA 500 million) to 20 cooperatives for successfully supplying the Company with high-quality cocoa beans, and to continue the impact of the programme in the country.

Nestlé aims to boost the Plan by distributing 600,000 high-yield and disease resistant plantlets from the Research and Development Center in Abidjan this year. This builds on the 135,000 plantlets provided in 2010 to raise the quality of cocoa in the region.

Furthermore, around 5,000 farmers will be offered training in good agricultural practices in 2011.

To illustrate the Plan’s impact, the L’Union des Coopératives de Gagnoa (UCDG) in Côte d’Ivoire has reaped the benefits since its implementation.

Benefiting from Nestlé’s training and high quality plantlets, UCDG has become UTZ Certified and delivered over 1,200 tonnes of UTZ Certified cocoa beans since 2010. This UTZ Code of Conduct sets stringent requirements for the farmers when it comes to the sustainable growing of coffee, cocoa and tea.

And in recognition for producing export-quality dried cocoa at its cooperative site, Nestlé provided a nursery of 30,000 plantlets to UCDG to help renew plantations.

Already in action

In addition to its work in Côte d’Ivoire, The Cocoa Plan has helped over 1,500 farmers and 27 cooperatives in Ecuador through the implementation of its training expertise and distribution of plantlets.

To date, over 2,250 tonnes of cocoa beans under the Plan have been produced, including nearly a third which were UTZ Certified.

Further boosting Nestlé’s sustainable cocoa production, four cooperatives have achieved UTZ Certification since 2010, with two more cooperatives due to receive such official recognition.

Each month since May 2011, quantities of UTZ Certified cocoa liquor have been shipped to Nestlé Australia for the production of four-fingered chocolate wafer Kit Kat bars and Kit Kat Chunky 3 bars.

Leaving a footprint

Nestlé’s achievements on The Cocoa Plan were recently praised after Nestlé Professional United Kingdom was crowned winner of the Sustainable Sourcing category in the Foodservice Footprint Awards in the UK.

Neil Stephens, Managing Director of Nestlé Professional UK and Ireland, who received the prize on behalf of the Company at the awards event in May 2011, said: “The Cocoa Plan helps Nestlé secure a long-term source of cocoa. This will ensure foodservice operators and consumers will continue to enjoy and benefit from chocolate confectionery, such as the Out-of-Home market’s biggest brand, Kit Kat.

“The Awards are a fundamental way for the whole industry to help share best practice. It is for this reason that we are delighted to have our own work and commitment recognised by this award win.”

The Cocoa Plan

Backed by an investment of CHF 110 million over the next decade, The Cocoa Plan aims to help address the key issues facing the cocoa farming communities.

Although the Plan is not a quick fix for the challenging cocoa situation, it is an important and significant part of broad, collaborative efforts to improve the quality of cocoa supply chain and the lives of cocoa farmers and communities.

This includes improving the quantity and quality of yields by providing 12 million stronger productive plantlets, to produce higher-quality cocoa beans. This in turn will lead to farmers benefiting from greater income security and training in good agricultural practices.

Creating Shared Value

Creating Shared Value is a fundamental part of Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on three specific areas of the Company's core activities – water, nutrition, and rural development – where it can best create value both for society and shareholders, and the communities where it operates.

Nestlé Professional encourages entrepreneurship in Africa

‘MY OWN BUSINESS’: Providing entrepreneurs with training and tools to manage their own enterprise.

Nestlé has launched a new programme to encourage entrepreneurship in Central and West Africa.

The ‘My Own Business’ initiative is led by Nestlé Professional, the Nestlé business that supplies the food service out-of-home industry.

The programme aims to boost the Nescafé coffee brand in busy public areas such as open markets, stadiums and bus stops, while helping operators appointed by Nestlé Professional to manage their street-vending business.

It also creates job opportunities for unemployed youth in the country.

“The initiative is a great way to build entrepreneurial spirit and boost the lives of young people and their families, while getting closer to our consumers.” said G.G. Pillai, Country Business Manager of Nestlé Professional for the Central and West Africa Region.

Training and development

‘My Own Business’ gives operators the tools and expertise to run their own enterprise.

They are given training on sales, management, hygiene standards, safety requirements and quality levels.

Each operator recruits and employs about 8-10 street sellers from neighbouring communities.

Operators organise daily vending locations, set targets and working hours, manage payments, ensure product safety and maintain equipment.

Nestlé Professional also helps operators find safe and clean kitchen areas to run their business from.

‘Ambassador of brand’

“Each operator and street seller is an ambassador of the Nescafé brand,” said Richard Apaloo, Regional Branded Beverages Manager of Nestlé Professional in the Central and West Africa Region.

“The new programme allows operators to provide for themselves and their families by independently running their own business.

Sellers manage their own time and enhance their career prospects.”

The initiative is a great way to build entrepreneurial spirit and boost the lives of young people and their families, while getting closer to our consumers. G.G. Pillai, Country Business Manager of Nestlé Professional for the CWAR.

Move freely

Each Nescafé vendor is given a kit which includes a coffee dispenser they can strap on their back.

They receive Nescafé products, such as Classic and 3-in-1, hot water flasks, disposable cups, and a branded vest and hat.

The light and easy-to-handle Nescafé kits allow the street sellers to move freely through the busy streets.

Activities are overseen by Nestlé Professional who provides operators with equipment, guidance and extra training.

‘Simple yet effective’

A total of 58 operators have joined the programme in Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal.

Over 500 new operators from other countries in Africa are expected to join by 2014.

About 450 recruits have joined and over 1,000 new recruits are expected to join by the end of the year.

“The coffee market is growing at a rapid pace in this emerging market,” added Mr Apaloo.

“We want to meet these demands by using a simple yet effective way to reach out to more consumers wherever they are.”

Complementary

The ‘My Own Business’ programme was created in summer 2011 to help Nescafé reach more consumers during peak times of the day.

It complements Nestlé’s successful ‘pushcart’ initiative which sees sellers use pushcarts to provide hot Nescafé drinks to consumers in local markets and neighbourhoods.

More than two-thirds of Nestlé Professional’s coffee beverages in the region are sold in this way.

Related information:
Nestlé Professional

Read more about Nestlé Professional:
Nestlé Professional rolls out Viaggi in Europe
Nestlé Professional signs new acquisition in Scandinavia and Finland

Read more about Nestlé in the Central and West Africa region:
Nestlé opens first Shared Service Centre in Africa
Nestlé opens new CHF 87 million factory in Nigeria

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé begins collaboration with Cleveland Clinic to understand how whole grain foods benefit health

LERNER RESEARCH INSTITUTE, OHIO: The study, to be conducted in collaboration with the Lerner Research Institute, will be one of the largest controlled studies of its type on whole grains.

The Nestlé Research Center, based in Lausanne, Switzerland, has donated USD 500,000 to the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute, USA. The gift will fund a collaborative study focused on examining the effects of a diet rich in whole grains on body composition and energy metabolism.

The study, which will last for 26 weeks, will enroll 40 to 50 people, who will eat meals provided by the Nestlé Prepared Food Company’s facility in Solon, Ohio, USA.

This research will be one of the largest controlled studies of its type on whole grains and the first to use advanced body composition measurement techniques such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) that are used at the Cleveland Clinic. Scientists at Nestlé Research Center will use state-of-the-art metabolomic analyses to examine changes in metabolism.

Nestlé commits to using certified sustainable palm oil by 2015

SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL: Indonesia and Malaysia produce almost 90% of global supply of palm kernel oil which is used in confectionery, household items such as soap and detergent, and for animal feeding and energy generation.

Nestlé has today announced its commitment to using only Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) by 2015, when sufficient quantities are expected to be available.

This follows a detailed review of Nestlé’s palm oil supply chain. Under its policy on Environmental Sustainability, Nestlé has pledged to give preference to suppliers who strive to improve the efficiency and sustainability of their operations and use of resources.

The Company uses palm kernel oil for some of its confectionery and dairy products, but it is not a major raw material used. It also buys processed palm oil and processed oil mixes which often comes from multiple sources. However, Nestlé does not use crude palm oil nor has any direct links to the palm oil plantations and continues to work with suppliers to investigate the traceability of all possible sources of any palm oil used.

Over the last few years, Nestlé has been closely associated with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), an international non-profit association founded in 2004 to promote the growth and use of sustainable palm oil. Nestlé has now applied for full corporate membership of the RSPO, strengthening its efforts to find an effective multi-stakeholder solution to combat the environmental threat caused by the planting of palm oil plantations in South East Asia. Indonesia and Malaysia produce almost 90% of global supply of palm oil, and in total, global production is about 42 million tonnes. Nestlé uses 0.7% of the global supply (320,000 tonnes).

Palm oil, which is used in producing household items such as soap and detergent, and even for animal feeding and energy generation, is also used as a material from which biofuels are produced. Nestlé has repeatedly spoken out against the production of such fuels from materials used for food.

Contact: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations
Tel.: +41 (0)21 924 22 00

Related information:
Nestlé Environmental Sustainability
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil website
World Wildlife fund

Nestlé completes rebuild project in Chile

HANDING OVER THE KEYS: Mrs Orellana, owner of "El Faraón" receives the keys to her new shop. Luis Cantarell, left, Executive Vice President for Nestlé and Zone Director for Americas, Belisario Bastías, Major of Doñihue and Fernando del Solar, right, Market Head for Nestlé Chile joined the celebration.

A social programme which helps small commercial businesses following the Chile earthquake is completed by Nestlé Chile.

A visit from Luis Cantarell, Executive Vice President for Nestlé and Zone Director for United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, marked the opening of the final store in Doñihue, one of the locations affected by the earthquake.

Fernando del Solar, Market Head for Nestlé Chile joined Mr Cantarell to attend a ceremony on June 7, alongside regional and municipal authorities.

Mr Cantarell said: "It is a pleasure for me to be present at the closing of this great project that has enabled us to contribute to the entrepreneurs in the regions affected where help and support are essential.”

The “Rebuild your little store with Nestlé” initiative helped 30 business owners recover their labour sources after the impact of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in February that affected the south and centre of Chile.

The programme kicked off in April at Villa Prat, a rural town located 230 km south of Santiago. The other new little stores reached other affected areas in the regions of Maule and Bio Bio.

The programme includes the construction of small shops and the initial stock donation of Nestlé products, including dairy, infant nutrition, coffee, confectionery, breakfast cereals and powdered beverages. The only condition set to Nestlé’s partners is to sell the products at affordable prices that benefit the community as well as their own business.

Nestlé congratulates Professor Keiko Abe

UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO: Professor Abe is based in the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Tokyo.

Nestlé congratulates Professor Keiko Abe for being awarded the Japanese Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon by Emperor Akihito. She received this prestigious award on May 14 at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo, in recognition of her lifelong research on food science in general and taste biology in particular.

The Japanese Medals of Honour were first awarded in 1882. There are six types of award, each denoted by the colour of the ribbon that accompanies it. The Medal of Honour with purple ribbon, which was introduced in 1955, is awarded in recognition of academic or artistic achievements.

Nestlé is delighted that Japan has bestowed this award on Professor Abe, whose work has helped to provide the scientific basis for understanding how the body senses different tastes in foods. Professor Abe is based in the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences at The University of Tokyo, and is a member of the Nestlé Sponsored Research Program "Food for Life".

Professor Abe has recently been appointed as a member of the Corporate Nestlé Nutrition Council. The Nestlé Nutrition Council was originally formed in 1978, with the remit of providing up to date information and advice on nutrition matters to Nestlé’s top management. The council members are all renowned experts in their respective fields of expertise, and bring multidisciplinary perspectives to the area of Nutrition, Health and Wellness as well as emerging fields of nutrition.

Professor Abe also chairs the Nestlé Nutrition Council of Japan, which was founded in 2005 to promote nutrition research, especially by young Japanese scientists.

Nestlé debuts in the global Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index

Nestlé ranks second place in the Consumer Staples category in the Global 500 Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index 2010 (CDLI) for its approach to climate change disclosure.

Measured for its high-quality internal data management and understanding of climate change related issues, Nestlé notched up a total of 92 points in the Carbon Disclosure Score to land a place in the prestigious Index for the first time.

In addition, under the new Carbon Performance Leadership Index (CPLI), Nestlé was categorised in Band A – where companies in this sector excel for overall performance indicating both higher degrees of maturity in their climate change initiatives and achievement of their objectives.

The Carbon Disclosure Project 2010 (CDP) – backed by 534 financial institutions with assets of over USD 64 trillion under management – sent questionnaires to more than 4,700 of the world’s largest corporations, requesting information on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, on the significant risks and opportunities related to climate change and on the actions companies are taking to manage those risks and opportunities.

In 2010, the CDP asked the world’s 500 largest public companies in the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (Global 500) to demonstrate what action they are taking on climate change.

This report, compiled by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), analyses the responses from those corporations.

Paul Dickinson, Chief Executive of the Carbon Disclosure Project, said: “Companies that make this index have also demonstrated clear consideration of how climate change is and will impact their business. As companies’ understanding of climate change issues grows, they are better placed to take positive action to manage and mitigate its risks.”

Log on to www.cdprojects.net for more details and the full Global 500 Report including names of companies featured in the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index.

Nestlé receives top environment award

COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: L-R: Terry Yosie; WEC President and CEO; Award presenter Professor Jim Schorr, of the Owen Graduate School of Management, Vanderbilt University; Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke; Andrea Thomas, Senior Vice President Sustainability, of Walmart; Jeff Seabright, WEC Chairman and Vice President Environment & Water, of Coca-Cola.

Nestlé was last week crowned the winner of the 27th World Environment Center (WEC) Gold Medal award for its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé, accepted the award “on behalf of our Chairman and the 280,000 employees that make Nestlé today”.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony on May 19 in Washington D.C. in the United States, Mr Bulcke also stressed that “this award is a mandate, an obligation and motivation to do even better so that also future generations can enjoy Good Food and a Good Life with Nestlé.”

The WEC Gold Medal Award is presented annually to a global company that has demonstrated a unique example of sustainability in business practice and is one of the most prestigious forms of recognition of a global company's ongoing commitment to the practice of sustainable development.

Nestlé was originally announced as the winner in January, ahead of this month's official prize ceremony.

Environmental efficiency

The Company was praised for its accomplishments in international corporate sustainable development, including its environmental practices that are driven by its Creating Shared Value initiative. This is Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of its core business activities; namely water, nutrition, and rural development; where value is created both for society and the Company.

Explaining Nestlé’s environmental efficiency, Mr Bulcke continued: “Our commitment to sustainable business practice is long-term in its perspective, comprehensive in its scope, and meticulously managed in its approach. Sustainable management has given us the solid base for our long-term business development; by consciously identifying areas of focus where shareholders’ and society’s interest strongly intersect, we can additionally optimize value creation for both parties. We are therefore honoured and motivated to receive this distinguished award.”

MANAGING WATER IN COMMUNITIES: Nestlé's partnership with the International Water Management Institute is helping to map water use in the Punjab region.

He added: “In committing to long-term sustainable practices which are integral to our business, for example, we have built approximately 290 water treatment plants to date – significantly in developing countries where national and municipal waste water treatment infrastructure does not exist, or does not yet meet the international environmental standards that Nestlé supports. In more recent years, we have also pioneered co-generation technology in our factories.”

Nestlé has identified water as its major environmental challenge, both in its own direct operations and in its value chain. It has set a good example by reducing water consumption over the past decade by 33%, while increasing its food and beverage production volume by 63%, or a reduction of 59% per kilo of product. In the same time period, the Company has cut the quantity of water discharged from its factories into the ecosystem – after treatment and removal of pollutants – by 42%, or 65% per kilo of product.

By setting its sights on reducing consumption on a comparable basis by a further 10-15% over the next five years, Nestlé has continued to roll out a number of water-saving projects and initiatives to combat water usage.

Water management

As part of its efforts in many rural areas around the world to improve water management in agriculture, Nestlé last year completed a study in the Indian town of Moga, in alliance with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI). This focused on the water footprint of milk and other local crops in the Moga Punjab region, where the study results will help local authorities and stakeholder to improve water efficiency and maximise the economic benefits from scarce resources.

And a number of projects which progressed in 2009 look set to increase the Company’s overall proportion of energy derived from renewable resources.

RECYCLING COFFEE GROUNDS AS FUEL: Renewable fuel from spent coffee grounds provides 13% of the total energy required at Bugalagrande factory in Colombia.

For example, at the Bugalagrande factory in Colombia, the installation of Nestlé’s latest spent coffee grounds fuelled boiler allows the recovery of energy from this biomass. This renewable fuel provides 13% of the total energy required in the factory and has 95% lower CO2 emissions than the fossil fuel it replaces.

Nestlé has been implementing this type of technology for the last 30 years, and of its 27 coffee factories where spent grounds are a by-product – 21 are equipped with such technology.

In addition, Nestlé has also boosted its involvement with external bodies to further strengthen its leadership on environmental sustainability.

In 2009, Nestlé led a joint project with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), McKinsey and several other companies, to produce the “Charting our Water Future: a new economic framework to decision making” report.

Such attainments were recognised by the Gold Medal jury, which was chaired by Dr Joel Abrams, Professor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh. As an independent entity of the WEC and its programmes, it is composed of international leaders from academia, government, non-governmental organisations and retired industry professionals.

Dr Abrams praised the Company’s achievements and said: “I extend my congratulations to Nestlé for advancing sustainable practices across its many business operations and product categories. As with past recipients, the Gold Medal provides a positive incentive for Nestlé to extend its commitments to improve people’s living standards and quality of life.”

The WEC’s Gold Medal was established in 1985 to recognise significant industry initiatives in global environmental excellence and sustainable development.

Nestlé reaffirms investment in Egypt to boost growth

REAFFIRMING COMMITMENT: Continuing to create jobs and better serve consumers in Egypt.

Nestlé is celebrating over 100 years in Egypt by reaffirming a four year CHF 151 million (1 billion Egyptian pounds) investment plan in the country, creating jobs and enabling the company to better serve local consumers.

The investment programme announced in 2011, in the company’s existing factories and distribution centres, reflects confidence in the future prospects of a market where Nestlé has been present since the early years of the last century.

Around 200 jobs have been created as a result of the first tranche of investment worth more than CHF 75 million (500 million Egyptian pounds).

The company will invest the remaining CHF 75 million as planned and create more than 300 new jobs by 2014.

Needs and aspirations

“We believe that our long-term presence in this region – in more stable and in more challenging times – and our many investments and initiatives are a clear illustration of our commitment to this country and this region,” said Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer for Nestlé.

“These investments will allow us to serve more consumers even better, and to better adapt our products to their needs and aspirations.

“That is why we have invested, and continue to invest, heavily in this country,” he added.

Long-term presence

Nestlé began selling its products in Egypt over 100 years ago.

Today Nestlé Egypt has three factories, seven distribution centres and employs over 3,000 people.

"These investments will allow us to serve more consumers even better, and to better adapt our products to their needs and aspirations."Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer for Nestlé.

Accelerate our growth

The investment pledge was reaffirmed at an event in Cairo, the capital of Egypt to mark the company’s presence in Egypt for more than 100 years.

Mr Bulcke was joined by Nandu Nandkishore, Head of Zone Asia, Oceania, Africa, and the Middle East, and Suresh Narayanan, Head of the Nestlé North East African Region.

“Egypt plays an important role in our company and we are investing to accelerate our growth in this amazing country,” said Mr Nandkishore.

Creating Shared Value in Egypt

Nestlé Egypt is also continuing to support local communities through its initiatives and programmes.

The company signed a five year partnership with the Ministry of Education to roll out its Abnaa Asehaa project nationally, which is part of its Healthy Kids Global Programme.

The project is helping to raise nutrition, health and wellness awareness through nutrition education and physical activity to over 500,000 children in more than 750 schools in Egypt.

Related information:
Nestlé Egypt website

Read more about Nestlé in Egypt:
Nestlé invests CHF 160m and creates 500 jobs in Egypt

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé enhances app for iPad

NEW FUNCTIONALITY: Thumbnail images of individual pages have been added at the bottom of reports and presentations, allowing users to access the section they want directly rather than scroll through page by page

An enhanced version of Nestlé’s corporate mobile application for the iPad is now available.

The new version has been updated for the iPad screen, with improved navigation allowing users to swipe through the latest Nestlé news.

Users can share their favourite stories, articles and other documents with friends by email, search for information within PDF documents; and access the Nestlé share price.

The selection of recent Nestlé reports available on the iPad app has also been expanded.

Some reports - such as the Company’s Annual Report – now also include a selection of animated graphs and pictures.

The updated Nestlé app for the iPad follows the launch of the Company’s app for Android mobile phones in February. New functionalities will also soon be available for the Android and the iPhone application.

Nestlé’s corporate app was launched in October 2010 to keep investors and the media connected with online and offline access to the latest news, press releases, reports, presentations and a weekly share buy-back update.

Related information:
Nestlé app launched
Nestlé app on Android
Nestlé’s free mobile apps place brands in more hands

Nestlé to establish a new hub for innovation in beverages in Singapore

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF INNOVATION: The new regional hub for innovation will be located at the company’s R&D Centre in Singapore.

July 23, 2010

Nestlé today announced that it is establishing a new regional hub for innovation in beverages.

Nestlé has a strong and growing business in coffee mixes worldwide. This business is especially strong in the Asia Pacific region, and is expected to continue to grow over the coming years. In response to this growing demand for coffee mixes, Nestlé has created a new hub for innovation in beverages in Singapore to serve the Asia Pacific Region.

This new regional hub, which is a team of technical specialists, will be located at the company’s R&D Centre in Singapore. It will extend Nestlé’s existing hub for innovation in Milo, and focus on coffee mixes. Its mission will be to accelerate renovation and innovation in beverages and develop new product concepts based on local tastes and preferences for both local and wider geographical roll out. In addition the hub will develop new packaging solutions including packaging for consumers with limited income, and provide training and technical assistance to Nestlé markets in the Asia Pacific Region.

The new hub will be fully functional at the beginning of 2011. In the meantime the new team is being selected and trained. This regional team will be part of Nestlé’s global network of specialists and experts in beverages.

Klaus Zimmermann, Nestlé’s global Head of the Product Technology and R&D Centers made the announcement on the occasion of the 30th Anniversary of its R&D Centre in Singapore. For the last 30 years Nestlé’s R&D centre in Singapore has been spearheading inventive research for a large range of products under global brands such as Maggi in culinary, Milo nutritious beverages, Nestle Professional and Nestle Nutrition.

R&D Singapore’s Director, Susanne Kulhanek said at the event, “As proud as we are of our past successes, this is no time to rest on our laurels. Indeed, faced with an increasingly competitive economic environment, we need to keep blazing the trail of innovation so that we can continue to serve our consumers to the best of our ability, to meet – even anticipate – their needs, and to delight their palettes. In order to do this, we must continually expand and update our range of products as proof of our commitment, creativity and know-how while creating shared value.”

R&D Singapore works closely with other Nestlé R&D facilities around the world and engages in external partnerships with regional research and academic institutions and industrial partners to accelerate innovations. Nestlé’s global R&D network comprises 29 Research, Development and Technology Centres and employs around 5,000 people.

Factsheets, images and more available in Events.

Nestlé expands halal presence during Ramadan

FLAVOURS OF RAMADAN: Nestlé offers halal versions of products right across its range of food and beverages

Nestlé expands its halal presence with the launch of its 'Flavours of Ramadan' range throughout the Islamic fasting period.

Under Nestrade – a global trading ethnic business within the Nestlé group – halal-certified brands such as Maggi, Nido, Carnation and Milo are being offered to consumers through a promotion at 27 ‘COOP’ megastores in Switzerland, during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar where Muslims take part in fasting from dawn until sunset.

As part of the 'Taste of Home by Nestlé' campaign first developed as a marketing initiative in 2004, this scheme offers a wider range of ethnic foods sold in ethnic convenience stores, or 'Mom and Pop' stores. 'Taste of Home by Nestlé', which saw strong growth of around 50% each year with strong profitability, and was extended last year to focus predominantly on halal with products already being sold in thousands of specialised ethnic stores throughout Europe.

In reaffirming its halal presence worldwide, Nestlé also came in as number two in the Noor index, a recent study of how consumers ranked more than 30 well-known brands for compliance with Shariah, or Islamic law. Led by Ogilvy Noor, under Ogilvy & Mather – an international advertising, marketing, and public relations agency based in New York – the index scored the appeal of brands to Muslim consumers.

As one of the first multinationals to pursue the global halal market, worth an estimated USD 2.1 trillion annually, since the 1980s Nestlé has been offering halal versions of well-known products right across its range of food and beverages. This includes confectionery such as Kit Kat and Smarties, Maggi soups, Nido and Neslac milk, Milo malted drinks and Nescafé coffee, accounting for 5% of Nestlé's annual sales, around CHF 5.3 billion.

Of Nestlé's 456 factories worldwide, 85 have a halal certification with 154 halal-certified production lines situated mainly in Indonesia, South Africa, the Middle East, Turkey and Malaysia, with Malaysia as the Halal Excellence Centre and biggest halal food producer within the Nestlé Group, exporting to more than 50 countries worldwide. Also, 20 of Nestlé's factories in Europe have halal-certified production lines, for example Nestlé's Konolfingen factory in Switzerland produces halal-certified Nido milk power for export to South-East Asia.

Nestlé halal products are labelled with a certification that provides assurance that it is manufactured, imported and distributed under the strictest hygienic and sanitary conditions, in accordance with the Islamic faith. Halal, which literally means permissible, is a way of living that all Muslims must adhere to. Halal in a food context specifically means food and drink which is allowed under the Islamic law.

An Islamic inspection authority such as the Halal Feed & Food Inspection Authority (HFFIA) or the Islamic Food Council of Europe inspects Nestlé factories along with a Nestlé halal committee member to ensure that products comply before the halal logo can be used.

Related information:
Taste of Home by Nestlé

Nestlé extends Salzburg Festival partnership until 2015

DEVELOPING YOUNG PEOPLE: Ainars Rubiķis (centre) won the Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor's Award in 2011

Nestlé will continue its effort to open up classical music to young people by renewing its sponsorship of the Salzburg Festival until 2015.

The company has partnered the prestigious annual music event in Austria for 20 years.

“Nestlé is our most loyal sponsor,” said Helga Rabl-Stadler, President of the Salzburg Festival. “For 20 years we have shared the same passion for quality.

“Together, we created the Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor's Award in 2010. It is a new chapter in youth development at the Salzburg Festival.”

CELEBRATING A 20 YEAR PARTNERSHIP: Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman and Helga Rabl-Stadler, Director of the Salzburg Festival, cut the cake.

The Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor’s Award was created to give talented young conductors aged between 22 and 35 a crucial boost to their careers.

The prize is worth EUR 15,000 (more than CHF 18,000). The winner is also given the opportunity to conduct a concert with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra in Salzburg’s Felsenreitschule theatre.

The award was presented this year to Ainars Rubiķis from Latvia. The year before, David Afkahm from Germany won.

“Promising talents”

"The Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award has already given two promising talents a major push in their international careers,” said Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman.

“The Salzburg Festival offers the winner of the award an ideal platform to put his or her skills to the test,” he added.

In addition to conducting a classical-romantic repertoire, award candidates must also prove their ability to conduct contemporary works of music.

SHARING A JOKE: Alexander Pereira, Director of the Salzburg Festival (left) and Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman (right) celebrate the company's decision to extend its sponsorship of the event until 2015.

Next year, the selection process will change, giving three finalists the opportunity to perform at a public concert at the Felsenreitschule theatre over a weekend in April.

This performance takes place ahead of the award presentation at the festival in August.

The finalist will be accompanied by one of three orchestras - the Camerata Salzburg, the Mozarteum Orchestra or the Munich Radio Orchestra - as well by young international soloists.

“With this new concert weekend in April we have made the award even more attractive, by offering young conductors another public performance opportunity," Ms Rabl-Stadler explained.

“We want to give people the chance to gain deeper insight into the work of young conductors,” she added.

NEW JURY CHAIRMAN: German conductor Ingo Metzmacher (second from left) will join the jury panel for the Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor's Award as chairman.

The award’s 13 member jury panel has also changed, with eight new members. It also has a new chairman; the acclaimed German conductor Ingo Metzmacher.

The jury for the Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award 2012 are:

• Pierre Boulez, Patron
• Ingo Metzmacher, Jury Chairman
• Peter Alward, Executive Director, Salzburg Easter Festival
• Andreas Bausendorf, Deputy Managing Director, German Orchestra Association
• Albena Danilova, Concertmaster, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
• Thomas Hampson, Singer
• Gary Hanson, Managing Director, The Cleveland Orchestra
• Christoph Lieben-Seutter, Director General, Elbe Philharmonic Hall, Hamburg
• Brian McMaster, Former Director of the Edinburgh International Festival
• Alexander Meraviglia-Crivelli, Secretary-General, Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra
• Alexander Pereira, Director of the Salzburg Festival
• Aribert Reimann, Performer
• Matthias Schulz, Head of Concert Planning and Media Advisor to the Salzburg Festival Board.

Nestlé’s support of the Salzburg Festival enables the event to offer discounts of up to 90% for people under the age of 27 for its world-renowned programme of operas, plays and concerts.

Press Releases:
Nestlé extends sponsorship of Salzburg Festival until 2015 - English press release (pdf, 154 Kb)
Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor's Award re-organised - English press release (pdf, 194 Kb)
Nestlé verlängert Sponsorship mit den Salzburger Festspielen bis 2015 - German press release (pdf, 115 Kb)
Neuausrichtung des Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductor's Award - German press release (pdf, 79 Kb)

Nestlé in Fast Company top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Food

Nestlé is named number 4 in the Fast Company magazine’s list of the 10 Most Innovative Companies in Food in 2009. The list has just been published in Fast Company magazine’s Special Issue, March 2010. Nestlé innovations that caught the eye of Fast Company include high calcium milk and ActiCaf, a slow-release caffeine used in PowerBar

Read the full article on the The Fast Company website

Nestlé focuses on nutrition at the World Public Health Congress in Portugal

WORLD PUBLIC HEALTH CONGRESS: Nestlé held a satellite symposium to discuss healthy lifestyles for children and how partnerships can help provide solutions.

A number of leading health experts joined forces to discuss children’s lifestyle issues at a Nestlé-led symposium during the second World Public Health Congress (WPHC).

The ‘Healthy Lifestyles for Children: How Partnerships Can Help’ symposium – which took place at the WPHC event on Thursday, September 23 in the Portuguese city of Porto – generated discussion on ambitious international programmes and processes to change children’s lifestyles, including food habits and daily physical activities.

Watch the on-demand webcast

Participants included Dr Armando Barrigete Melendez, of the Mexican Ministry of Health and the Cinco Passos programme; and Professor Monique Romon, of the French NGO Fleurbaix Laventie Ville Santé (FLVS), who is currently developing EPODE (Ensemble, Prevenons l’Obesite Des Enfants) in France and coordinates the PPP (Public Private Partnerships) committee within the EPODE European Network.

They were joined by Dr Natalie Almeras, of Laval University, in Quebec, initiator of the Aligo Programme developed in schools and communities in Quebec, Canada; together with Dr Pedro Graça and Professor Rui Lima from the Obesity platform in Portugal, representing the Ministries for Health and Education and the School Fruit Scheme in Portugal.

The symposium – moderated by Dr Miriam Stoppard, a British author on maternal and child health issues – provided a strategic and operational view on four major programmes targeting children lifestyles, all based on comprehensive approaches involving multiple stakeholders.

The Nestlé symposium also supported the need for creative partnership approaches to effectively tackle those issues. In many countries, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Commission (EC), national ministries for health, public health actors, NGOs and the private sector are already exploring and implementing joined-up actions targeted at improving children’s knowledge and lifestyles.

The three-day annual WPHC event also highlighted the problems of malnutrition which continue to exist in developing countries.

The negative impact on health due to micronutrient deficiencies in both children and adults was recognised by the Copenhagen Consensus in 2008 as the top priority challenge.

One third of the world’s population suffering deficiencies in iron, vitamin A, zinc and iodine – especially in the emerging markets of Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. To address such urgent needs, the Consensus concluded that micronutrient-fortified foods and supplements are the most cost-effective solutions.

Nestlé has continued to expand its micronutrient fortification of its products in response to these urgent needs. For example, in 2009, micronutrient-fortified affordable milks were available in 60 countries worldwide – an increase from 40 countries the year before. By the end of 2010, the Company aims to provide such products in 70 countries.

Dr Denis Barclay of Nestlé’s Corporate Wellness Unit – who spoke at the Nestlé stand during the WPHC event – explained how Nestlé is helping to satisfy the nutritional needs of low-income consumers through micronutrient fortification of Popularly Positioned Products (PPPs).

He said: “It is primarily children and young women in developing regions who are suffering from deficiencies in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, iron, iodine and zinc. Nestlé fortifies affordable foods such as Nido powdered milks, Maggi bouillons, seasonings, noodles and cereals with these key micronutrients, and it has been shown that such products do help low-income consumers to improve their nutritional intakes and status.”

Related information:
Images on Flickr
II World Congress of Public Health Nutrition

Nestlé focuses on water quality during World Water Week

MANAGING WATER IN COMMUNITIES: Nestlé's partnership with the International Water Management Institute is helping to map water use in the Punjab region.

Nestlé today joins leading ministers and environmental figures to discuss the challenges of sustaining water quality at the World Water Week event in Stockholm, Sweden.

José Lopez, Executive Vice President for Nestlé, heading Operations and GLOBE, takes part in the High Level Panel discussion to analyse issues such as the effects of poor water quality, pollution implications and the impact of climate change.

Mr Lopez is joined by Hon. Charity Kaluki Ngilu, Minister of Water in Kenya, Hon. Sandra Bessudo, Minister of Environment in Colombia, Dr Rita Colwell, Stockholm Water Prize Laureate, Ravi Singh, CEO for the WWF India and Björn Stigson, President of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Hosted and organised by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week – which takes place from September 5-11 – acts as the annual focal point for the planet’s most urgent water-related issues. The event has been running since 1991. Aiming to provide a unique forum for experts, practitioners, decision-makers and leaders from around the globe to exchange ideas, foster new thinking and develop solutions, the theme for this year is The Water Quality Challenge.

At the event, Nestlé will also speak in the' Charting our Water Future: Pathways and Tools to Reform' seminar, led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC)/McKinsey, on Wednesday, September 8. On Thursday, September 9, Nestlé will speak at the Water Footprint Network Partner Forum. On the same day, the Company will participate in the CEO Water Mandate Update and Feedback session and other seminars during the week-long event.

In addition, Michael Roberts, International Development Enterprises (IDE) Cambodia Country Director – winner of the first Nestlé Prize in Creating Shared Value (CSV) in May 2010 – will be at the Nestlé stand today and tomorrow, to talk about how IDE uses water as an effective and strategic entry point in its programmes to address rural poverty. IDE won the Nestlé Prize for its rural development project which aims to increase the standard of living of Cambodian rural population by improving agricultural productivity and income.

In illustrating its reduction of water consumption over the past decade, Nestlé has decreased its water usage by 33%, but increased its food and beverage production volume by 63%, or a reduction of 59% per kilo of product. In the same time period, the Company has cut the quantity of water discharged from its factories into the ecosystem – after treatment and removal of pollutants – by 42%, or 65% per kilo of product.

In the Indian town of Moga, Nestlé led a study to identify key areas to improve water management in agriculture. The six month pilot project completed in May 2010 – in alliance with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) – focused on the water footprint of milk and other local crops in the Moga Punjab region in India.

Due to local over-exploitation by agriculture, industry and domestic use, the study showed that the local water table dropped by up to a metre a year, potentially affecting the supply of milk in the Moga milk district from which Nestlé buys 1.25 million litres a day from 100,000 farmers.

Measures already in place to curb the water wastage include the recent Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, which promotes water conservation by delaying rice paddy transplantation, changing crop rotation patterns and encouraging less water-intensive crop species.

And in continuing its drive to increase clean water in communities, Nestlé has teamed up with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Societies in Côte d’Ivoire, which already benefits around 10,000 villagers in cocoa growing areas.

Projects include the rehabilitation of 10 deep well school water pumps and 25 school toilets, 30 school teachers were educated in Children's Hygiene and Sanitation Training (CHAST) and 10 school hygiene clubs were set up for pupils.

In addition, nine community water and sanitation committees composed of 70 volunteers were set up for hygiene promotion in the villages. In addition, Nestlé has also ramped up its involvement with external bodies to spotlight its on-going leadership on water awareness.

World leading water experts discussed water and sustainability at Nestlé's annual Creating Shared Value Forum in May 2010; while in 2009, Nestlé led a joint project with the IFC, McKinsey and several other companies, to produce the “Charting our Water Future: a new economic framework to decision making” report.

Finally, Nestlé is part of the process to establish an ISO Water Footprint standard, is a regular first partner of the Water Footprint Network and participates in a Water Footprint Consortium of Swiss companies in Colombia, initiated by the Swiss Development Agency (SDC).

Related information
All events are webcast live
Edited clips of the sessions will be available on Watercube TV

Related websites
World Water Week Programme
Charting Our Water Future

Nestlé Ghana wins award for sports development in schools

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AWARD: The Honourable Akua Sena Dansua, Minister of Youth and Sports, left, presenting the award to Samer Chedid, Nestlé Ghana Country Manager, at the ceremony last week.

Nestlé Ghana was hailed in the Millennium Excellence Awards for its outstanding contribution to sports development in schools at a ceremony last week.

Recognised for its health and wellness drive under the Milo brand, the Honourable Akua Sena Dansua, Minister for Youth and Sports, presented the Award of Excellence in the Sports Development Category to Samer Chedid, Country Manager, on behalf of Nestlé Ghana.

Mr Chedid praised the accolade and said: “Nestlé Ghana is honoured to be recognised by the prestigious Excellence Awards Foundation, and rewarded for brilliance with a Millennium Excellence Award. Milo is truly a deserving vehicle for such an acknowledgment in sports development.”

The Awards celebrate the exceptional achievement and excellence of individuals, groups and organisations in the Ghana/African community and citizens worldwide, who have served the African continent by contributing to socio-economic development since the 1900s.

In the presence of various international dignitaries, the event was also attended by Ekow Addison, Nestlé Ghana Brand Manager of Milo, and Cecilia Dei-Anang, Corporate Communications & Public Affairs Manager of Nestlé Ghana.

The Awards judging was chaired by the Life Patron, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the Asantehene; founder Ashim Morton; and Professor Atukwei Okai, Chairman of the Board of Governors.

In addition, the Board of Trustees Research Committee, Awards Giving Committee and adjudicators from different industries and disciplines in Ghana, also formed part of the judging panel.

Nestlé global workshop advances sustainability in product design

REDUCING CO2 EMISSIONS: NaturNes babyfood was packaged in a glass pot which has now been replaced with a more energy efficient plastic one.

International experts met in the United States last week to take part in a global Nestlé workshop to advance sustainability in product design and packaging.

The five day event at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California – one of the world’s leading design schools – brought together college academics, independent sustainability specialists and members of Nestlé’s Global Research and Development (R&D), Brand Communication and Product Design networks.

The aim was to embed sustainability into designers’ thinking from the beginning of the design process.

Topics ranged from current sustainability initiatives at Nestlé, to the challenges facing the consumer goods industry as a whole, and the latest design practices.

In addition, experts examined how current consumer and design trends might lead to opportunities for the Company to develop more sustainable products, services and systems.

CREATIVE INDUSTRIES: The five day workshop took place at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, near Los Angeles (above) in California, in the United States.

Gordon Lane, Head of R&D Global Industrial Design for Nestlé, explained the workshop’s focus on sustainability and said: “Sustainability is part of the overall business solution and something that designers must consider from the outset.

“By using ‘life cycle assessment’ tools, developed in collaboration by our scientists at the Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland, we have the opportunity to consider the total social and environmental impact of our designs.

“In this way, we are connecting science and design to responsibly support Nestlé on a global basis.”

Nestlé’s life cycle assessment approach - led by its R&D network and conducted by independent external consultants - systematically examines the environmental impact of its products; from ingredient sourcing, to processing, manufacturing, consumer use of the product and its packaging.

The Company also uses a selection of simplified eco-design tools - such as the Packaging Impact Quick Evaluation Tool (PIQET) developed by the Sustainable Packaging Alliance - to produce relevant life cycle data much earlier on in the product development process.

These can quickly provide Nestlé’s designers with the information required to create new product designs, or to renovate existing ones to reduce their environmental impact.

A recent example is Nestlé NaturNes babyfood, which was initially packaged in a glass pot. This has now been replaced with a more energy efficient plastic one to significantly reduce CO2 emissions across the value chain.

Developing a visual language

DESIGNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY: Nestlé's product designers are encouraged to think about sustainability from the very beginning of the design process.

Linking almost 30 designers based worldwide in countries including France, Germany, China, Singapore and the United States, the Nestlé Global Product Design network is unique for a food and beverage company of its kind.

Appointed to the Company through R&D, designers are also often assigned to a specific product category, such as ready-to-drink beverages, or confectionery.

As Mr Lane explained, it is a structure which enables the Company to connect design not only with the science of sustainability but also with important insights into consumers’ understanding of it.

He added: “We are working with Nestlé’s Brand Communication specialists, as well as experts from the Art Center in Pasadena, to develop new ways of visually communicating the benefits of sustainability to consumers.”

“Through the language of design, we can transform complex science into something friendly and easy for consumers to understand.”

Nestlé supports regeneration of Haiti’s coffee industry

QUALITY CROP: The programme will focus on farmers with the potential to grow premium coffee.

Nestlé is supporting a multi-partner international development programme to improve the livelihoods of more than 10,000 smallholder coffee farmers in Haiti.

The programme - set up by the Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in collaboration with the L'Agence Française de Développement (AFD) - will provide about USD 3.5 million in grants for projects to regenerate the country’s coffee industry.

The aim is to help Haitian coffee growers use more sustainable methods to improve the quantity and quality of the crops they produce.

The programme will focus on strengthening the business skills of coffee cooperatives to help them expand activities such as coffee bean collection and processing, quality control, certification, and marketing, at the same time as reducing their costs.

It will also lend financial support and expertise to help cooperatives diversify their interests beyond coffee production, to include activities such as group purchases of agricultural materials, leasing farm equipment, and coffee roasting.

Technical assistance

Nestlé has signed an agreement with the IDB to offer coffee farmers in Haiti advice and technical assistance in coffee production and processing techniques.

The company will commit a total of USD 300,000 over three years to the programme to help fund these activities.

Nestlé will work with Haiti’s National Coffee Institute (INCAH) to provide coffee seedlings and planting materials to enable coffee growers to replant and regenerate older crops.

The company will also collaborate with other programme partners, including the Colombian government, to ensure Haitian coffee growers benefit from the experience of their counterparts in other countries, particularly Colombia and the Dominican Republic.

Food security

Nestlé’s support for the programme will help strengthen food security for Haitian coffee farmers and their families.

The company will provide seedlings and assistance to help farmers increase yields of staple crops grown in so-called ‘Creole gardens’.

Nestlé will collaborate with INCAH and the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture to distribute training materials to farmers. These will include visual ‘how-to’ guides written in Creole on recommended techniques for maintaining these gardens.

Sharp decline

Coffee was Haiti’s principal agricultural export until just over two decades ago, when the country’s output began to decline sharply.

The annual amount of coffee sold for export dropped from 191,000 bags in 1990 to 16,000 bags by 2009. This was due to a variety of international and regional factors, which in turn have been compounded by a persistent lack of farm investment.

The FOMIN programme will concentrate on farmers in Haiti’s north, central, southeast and Grand’Anse districts who have the potential to grow premium coffee.

It will leverage resources from other rural development programmes financed by IDB in Haiti, including one for the transfer of agricultural technology and one for the mitigation of natural disasters.

Multilateral Investment Fund (FOMIN)

The Multilateral Investment Fund was established in 1993. It supports private sector-led development to benefit lower income communities in Latin America and the Caribbean.

FOMIN projects seek to give lower income communities the tools to boost their income by providing access to markets and skills, to finance, and to basic services including sustainable technologies.

Nestlé Health Science acquires a stake in Vital Foods

KIWI CRUSH^TM: Based on a natural kiwifruit extract and effective against constipation.

Nestlé Health Science today announced the acquisition of a minority stake in Vital Foods, a New Zealand based company that specialises in the development of kiwifruit-based solutions for gastrointestinal conditions. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. This follows the acquisitions made in the last 12 months of Vitaflo, CM&D Pharma and Prometheus Laboratories.

Created in 1991, Vital Foods has two well-established products on the market in New Zealand, Kiwi Crush^TM and Phloe^TM. Both products are based on a natural kiwifruit extract, and have been clinically shown to be effective against constipation. Constipation is a common functional disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, affecting around 1 in 6 people in the general adult population in Oceania, Europe and the US.

The transaction gives Nestlé Health Science a seat on the Board of Vital Foods, providing the opportunity to help steer future product development as well as commercial strategy. Inventages, which manages Nestlé Venture Funds, has been an investor in Vital Foods for a number of years.

Luis Cantarell, Nestlé Health Science President and CEO: “We are very pleased to have a stake in Vital Foods. Their products align strongly with Nestlé Health Science’s commitment to science-based nutritional solutions for gastrointestinal health.”

Gursh Bindra, Vital Foods CEO: “We are excited to have Nestlé Health Science as a strategic investor in Vital Foods. We look forward to working with Nestlé Health Science to further develop our product range.”

PHLOE^TM: These products are well established in the New Zealand market.

Nestlé Health Science today also announced the completion of its acquisition of Prometheus Laboratories Inc, a company that specialises in diagnostics and in-licensed specialty pharmaceuticals in gastroenterology and oncology. Prometheus’s diagnostics platform enables Nestlé Health Science’s nutritional solutions to be an integral part of patient care from diagnostics to disease management.

Related websites:
Nestlé Health Science
Vital Foods

Contact: nestlehealthscience.external@nestle.com

Images:
Flickr photostream

Press releases and factsheet:

Nestlé Health Science develops brain health portfolio with new investment

VIDEO MESSAGE: Luis Cantarell, Nestlé Health Science President and CEO.

Nestlé Health Science has acquired a stake in a US firm Accera, to support the ongoing trials and rollout of the firm's key brand, Axona, a medical food intended for the clinical dietary management of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, already on the market in the USA.

Axona fits the company’s ambition to develop a strong portfolio of nutrition-based solutions to manage and prevent disease.

Medical Foods

Accera is a privately-held US-based company which specialises in the research, development and commercialisation of medical foods for neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s which affects more than 30 million people worldwide.

“Our stake in Accera is a strategic step forward in building up our brain health portfolio,” said Nestlé Health Science President and CEO Luis Cantarell. “Axona is an innovative medical food with a well understood mode of action and offers the potential for personalised nutrition for AD patients,” he added.

Improved Memory

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common adult form of dementia and results in chronic and irreversible cognitive impairment.

As AD progresses, the brain becomes less able to use glucose for the energy it needs.

AXONA: A prescription medical food intended for the clinical dietary management of the metabolic processes associated with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Accera’s ongoing clinical trials show that Axona is metabolised by the liver to produce ketone bodies, which are naturally occurring compounds the brain can use as an alternative energy source. This results in improved memory and cognitive function in mild to moderate AD patients.

Axona is already on the market in the US, prescribed to up to 30,000 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.

Clinical expertise

Nestlé has many years of experience researching the relationship between nutrition and cognitive function.

It is critical that new solutions are found to manage cognitive decline, a major challenge in the public health arena, and Nestlé Health Science is well placed to contribute to this effort.

The investment in Accera by Nestlé Health Science will allow the collection of more extensive clinical data to support existing research into Axona.

“Nestlé Health Science’s investment will enable us to expand our clinical development programme and strengthen our commercial capabilities in the US,” said Accera’s President and CEO Holger Kunze.

“Longer term, it will also give us the opportunity to enlarge the geographic footprint of Axona.”

Personalised Nutrition

Nestlé Health Science, a fully owned subsidiary of Nestlé, aims to pioneer a new industry between the traditional nutrition and pharmaceutical industries through the development of science-based personalised nutritional solutions and shaping a new approach to disease prevention and management.

The decision to take a stake in Accera fits the strategic roadmap set out when Nestlé Health Science was created at the start of 2011.

Building on its core HealthCare Nutrition business, Nestlé Health Science has ambitions to address chronic conditions in the area of Gastrointestinal Health, Metabolic Health and Brain Health.

Our stake in Accera is a strategic step forward in building up our brain health portfolio. Luis Cantarell, Nestlé Health Science President and CEO

Recent Acquisitions

Nestlé Health Science has made several acquisitions and investments, which fit its strategic ambitions.

It acquired Vitaflo, a provider of clinical nutritional solutions for for infants, children and adults with genetic disorders that affect how food is processed by the body.

CM&D Pharma Ltd, a company that specialises in the development of products for patients with chronic conditions like chronic kidney disease.

Prometheus Laboratories, a US firm specialising in diagnostics and licensed speciality pharmaceuticals in GI and oncology.

It holds a minority stake in Vital Foods, a New Zealand based company that specialises in the development of kiwifruit-based solutions for gastrointestinal conditions.

Supporting Accera

Nestlé’s venture capital fund Inventages has been supporting Accera since 2004 and has a seat on its board.

As part of the transaction Nestlé Health Science will also take a seat on the board.

The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed.

Nestlé Health Science to develop dietary solution for kidney patients – CM&D acquisition

UNDER DEVELOPMENT: Fostrap, a medical food in the form of a chewing gum for kidney patients.

Lutry, 2 February 2011 – Nestlé Health Science today announced that it has completed the acquisition of CM&D Pharma Ltd (CM&D), a company that specialises in the development of products tailored for patients with kidney disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and colon cancer.

The company’s financials and the terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. CM&D is part of the company portfolio of Inventages Group, an independent venture capital fund that Nestlé invests in.

CM&D is a small company that focuses on the research and development, and marketing and sales of foods for special medical purposes. The company’s leading product, Fostrap, is a medical food in the form of a chewing gum for kidney patients who have an elevated level of phosphate in the blood (hyperphosphataemia).

While hyperphosphatemia is rare in the general population, it commonly affects patients with kidney failure or renal insufficiency. Hyperphosphataemia contributes to vascular calcification, leading to an increased risk of cardiac mortality, as well as mineral and bone disorders. Fostrap works by binding phosphate in the saliva, thereby helping to lower phosphate levels in the blood. This is a novel method for managing hyperphosphataemia, which is being developed as a complementary approach to current medical therapy. Clinical trials are still on-going, but preliminary data published to date are promising.

The acquisition of CM&D comes just a month after Nestlé Health Science became operational. Nestlé Health Science is a fully-owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A. that will develop science-based nutritional solutions to deliver personalised health care for medical conditions.

“This acquisition is an excellent fit with Nestlé Health Sciences strategic goal of being a pioneer in the promising area of science-based nutrition. We share CM&D’s commitment to use health science for improving the quality of people’s lives, and this acquisition will help to reinforce our position in this opportunity. Additionally, CM&D will benefit from Nestlé Health Science’s commitment to biomedical research, and the resources of the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences,” said Luis Cantarell, President and CEO of Nestlé Health Science.

For further information please contact:
Nestlé Corporate Media Relations
+ 41 21 924 2200
mediarelations@nestle.com

Related information:

CM&D Pharma Ltd website
News release: Nestlé Health Science to develop dietary solution for kidney patients – CM&D acquisition(pdf, 107 Kb)
Factsheet: Chronic kidney disease, hyperphosphataemia and its managemen(pdf, 65 Kb)
September 27, 2010: Press conference - Nestlé Health Science S.A. and Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences

Nestlé Healthy Kids Program extends to the Middle East

OFFICIAL SIGNING CEREMONY: Dr Ahmad Dallal AUB Provost, Dr Nahla Hwalla Dean of Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Dr Peter Dorman AUB President and Yves Manghardt, Nestlé Middle East Market Head.

Nestlé joins forces with the American University of Beirut (AUB) to launch the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Program – Ajyal Salima.

Fusing the global Healthy Kids Program together with an AUB initiative, the collaboration is aimed at promoting nutritional awareness, encouraging healthy eating habits and highlighting a more active lifestyle for schoolchildren aged 9-11 in Lebanon, which is set to extend progressively to the rest of the Middle East.

Yves Manghardt, Nestlé Middle East Chairman and CEO, was joined by Dr Peter Dorman, AUB President, and Dr Nahla Hwalla, Dean of AUB’s Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, at an official signing ceremony this week in the Lebanese capital city Beirut.

Mr Manghardt said: “The objective of the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Program is to raise nutrition, health and wellness of school age children around the world. It focuses on improving basic knowledge of nutrition and physical activity levels in children through activities.

“The Program is part of Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value – which is a fundamental part of Nestlé’s way of doing business. It means that for a company to be successful, it should not only create value for shareholders but also for society at large.”

Involving 12 educational sessions spread over 3-4 months in around 60 public and private schools in Lebanon, the three year Program will also include sessions on interactive learning and hands-on activities on nutrition, healthy eating and physical activity. The focus aims to encourage the intake of a balanced and varied diet, plus supporting school snack shops to provide children with healthier options.

The alliance also includes a three year research scheme to be conducted by the AUB, which is funded by the Nestlé Healthy Kids Research Fund. It seeks to conclude research findings showing AUB efforts to establish National Food Guidelines endorsed by the Lebanese government.

The Healthy Kids Global Program – which was launched in April 2009 – will be extended to all countries where Nestlé has direct operations. By the end of 2011, it is expected to reach to a total of 80 programmes worldwide.

Well-established programmes already include Nestlé Brazil’s ‘Nutrir’, Nestlé Russia’s ‘Good Nutrition’ and Nestlé France’s ‘EPODE’ (Ensemble, Prévenons l'Obésité Des Enfants – Together Let’s Prevent Childhood Obesity).

Related information:
Nestlé Middle East
Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme

Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme extends in China

HEALTHIER KIDS: More children in China will benefit from the nutrition and physical exercise education programme.

The Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme widens its reach to schoolchildren in the Chinese province of Yunnan.

Firstly rolled out in Chengdu city in July this year, the Lianzhu No.2 Primary School in the mountainous Mojiang County in Yunnan is next to join the Nestlé initiative, following a joint launch by Nestlé and the China Nutrition Society (CNS) in Beijing in May.

The Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme aims to improve the nutrition, health and wellness of children aged 6-12 years old by promoting nutrition education, balanced diet, greater physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

Anthony Low, Head of Corporate Affairs and Marketing Communications for Nestlé China, explained its relevance and said: “As a council member of the CNS, we at Nestlé are very pleased that children in Mojiang County can also benefit from the Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme.”

After the completion of preliminary training for teachers at Lianzhu No.2 Primary School, a special session on nutrition and health kicked off the Programme last week, which was attended by nutritionists and medical experts from CNS and Kunming Medical University, as well as representatives from Nestlé.

The Programme will also be rolled out in two other schools in the Yunnan province – where Nestlé has been a pioneer in cultivating coffee growing since 1988.

The Nestlé Experimental and Demonstration Farm and a technical assistance centre were set up to provide free technical assistance and training to the local farmers while helping to improve the quality and yield of Arabica coffee plantations. Nestlé has also consistently purchased coffee beans from Yunnan province each year which funds a steady income to local farmers in the region.

In total, over two dozen schools in five Chinese cities and two provinces have been earmarked to implement the CNS and Nestlé initiative.

Related information:
Nestlé China
Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme

Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme helps teachers in Nigeria

AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH: L-R: Ukoh Iquo, Consumer Maximisation Manager for Nestlé Nigeria; Representative of Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board; Martin Woolnough, Managing Director for Nestlé Nigeria and Samuel Adenekan of Nestlé Nigeria

The Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme extends to Nigeria to help teachers educate schoolchildren about nutrition.

The worldwide initiative – launched in the country last month – aims to improve the nutrition, health and wellness of children aged 6-12 years old by promoting nutrition education, a balanced diet, greater physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

As part of the official launch of the Programme, Nestlé Nigeria led a workshop for teachers to illustrate how they can play a central role in raising awareness to schoolchildren.

The workshop has now equipped teachers with useful insights and learning tools to promote nutrition, health and wellness to their students, which will start at the beginning of the school term this October.

Iquo Ukoh, Consumer Maximisation Manager for Nestlé Nigeria, said: “The project aims at looking at the future of a child where they will learn and use that information to improve the health status of his/her family in adulthood.”

She also addressed the teachers to stress that the Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme is more than a short-term educational tool and continued: “Go beyond teaching them to pass their exams. Teach them to use the knowledge acquired to make an impact on their own lives and that of their communities.”

Supported by the Centre for Health, Population and Nutrition (CHEPON) in Nigeria, the initiative was also backed by the Nigerian Lagos State Government.

Khadijat Gbolahan-Daodu, Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Government Universal Education Board, believes that the Programme will provide an effective platform to improve diets and nutrition-related behaviour.

TEACHERS IN NIGERIA: Attending the Nestlé Healthy Kids Programme workshop

Speaking at the launch, Mrs Gbolahan-Daodu said: “We are confident that the Nestlé Healthy Kids programme will be a catalyst for change to support healthy eating and active lifestyles.

“Indeed, school health programmes such as the Nestlé Healthy Kids initiative can help children and adolescents attain full educational potential and good health by providing them with the skills, social support and environmental reinforcement they need in order to adopt long-term healthy eating behaviours.”

The launch was also attended by Prince Folusho Onagoruwa, Sports and Exercise Science lecturer at the Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, in the Nigerian state of Ogun.

He explained to teachers how regular physical exercise can help the process of digestion, blood flow, emission of waste products, the development of brain power, coordination of various parts of the body, and encouraging fair play in sport.

Another 22 workshops in selected schools will take place in the coming months to further extend the Programme in Nigeria.

The Healthy Kids Global Programme – which was launched in April 2009 – will be extended to all countries where Nestlé has direct operations. By the end of 2011, it is expected to reach to a total of 80 programmes worldwide.

Well-established programmes already include Nestlé Brazil’s ‘Nutrir’, Nestlé Russia’s ‘Good Nutrition’ and Nestlé France’s ‘EPODE’ (Ensemble, Prévenons l'Obésité Des Enfants – Together Let’s Prevent Childhood Obesity).

Related link:
Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme

Related articles:
Healthy Kids Programme in Romania
Healthy Kids Programme in Sri Lanka
Healthy Kids Programme in China
Healthy Kids Programme in Middle East

Nestlé hits target of zero waste at UK factory

Nestlé marked another milestone in its commitment to environmental sustainability by achieving zero waste to landfill at its Kit Kat and Aero confectionery factory in the United Kingdom.

Nestlé UK announced last week that the triumph at the York-based factory follows its ambitious target set in 2009 to achieve zero total waste by 2015 for all 14 factories in the UK and Ireland.

This latest accomplishment also backs the Company’s goal to reduce the environmental impact of its 443 factories worldwide.

By achieving zero waste, the factory – which makes over a billion of the Kit Kat chocolate wafer bars and 183 million Aero chocolate bars each year – has saved over CHF 160,000 (nearly GBP 120,000) a year.

Such savings were made due to removing landfill tax costs and reducing the number of skip lifts used by 70%.

Nestlé UK has also generated extra revenue by selling nearly 800 tonnes of leftover materials such as cardboard, plastics, metal, pallets and metallised film.

THE YORK FACTORY: CHF 160,000 (nearly GBP 120,000) a year has been saved, due to removing landfill tax costs and reducing the number of skip lifts used by 70%.

Paul Grimwood, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Nestlé UK & Ireland, emphasised the importance of its attainment but stressed there is still much to do in the Company’s sustainability journey.

He said: “At Nestlé we are committed to manufacturing and doing business in a way that protects the planet and its resources for future generations and helps our local communities thrive.

“Making such progress in reducing the amount of waste our factories send to landfill, how much water we use and packaging we produce are significant steps. I am very proud of what our employees have achieved in such a short time.”

The Company’s Girvan factory in Scotland, which manufactures chocolate crumb, a key ingredient used in Nestlé's confectionery chocolate brands, and its Nescafé Cappuccino factory in Dalston in the United Kingdom, both achieved zero waste last year.

Nestlé has also continued to lead initiatives and innovative projects to reduce waste and advance environmental sustainability across its operations around the world.

For example, a total of 21 factories utilise unused coffee grounds as a renewable energy source.

One of the most recent sites to implement this practice is the Cagayan de Oro Nescafé factory in the Philippines which uses a state-of-the-art boiler to recycle and burn unused coffee grounds, sawdust and coconut shells. The factory also has a solid waste management programme and communal eco-garden which sells recyclable materials made from household waste and organic fertiliser made from biodegradable waste.

Further illustrating the Company’s aim to reduce waste and cut down the amount of water it uses, around 70% of Nestlé’s rurally located factories in developing countries have a built-in water treatment plant.

For example, at its Mossel Bay factory in South Africa which produces milk powder, Nestlé introduced an innovative approach to reusing water from its production.

Milk powder production is based on the separation of the milk’s liquid and solid content. The evaporated water from the production process is collected, treated and reused for industrial purposes, instead of using water from main municipal supplies. This process helped the Company halve its water usage at the factory in 2010.

Related Information:
Video: Environmental sustainability at Nestlé

Nestlé inaugurates its CHF 36.2 million infant cereal plant in Ghana

TEMA INFANT CEREAL PLANT: Nestlé Ghana aims to double its capacity to 18,000 tonnes of infant cereal per year in the future.

Nestlé aims to double the capacity of infant cereal at its new state-of-the-art plant in Ghana.

The site – an extension of the existing Nestlé Tema factory which sources locally-produced rice, wheat, flour and sugar from Ghanaian suppliers – was officially opened by Hon. Hannah Tetteh, Ghana Minister of Trade and Industry, Etienne Benet, Head of the Central & West Africa Region (CWAR) and Samer Chedid, Managing Director for Nestlé Ghana, on September 9, 2010.

Having announced an investment of CHF 36.2 million (over GHS 51.1 million) in January 2008 for the construction of the plant, Nestlé Ghana aims to double its capacity to 18,000 tonnes of infant cereal per year having earmarked future expansion.

Completed in August 2010, the plant’s capacity is currently 9,000 tonnes of Cerelac per year, having increased from its former annual 7,000 tonnes at the Nestlé Tema factory.

Etienne Benet, Head of the Central & West Africa Region (CWAR), said: “As the world leader of nutrition, health and wellness, we are proud to remain the pioneer of investment in Africa. Our strong commitment to the continent has been consistent for many years and we are determined to continue in this exciting journey with the inauguration of this new infant cereal plant.”

Samer Chedid, Managing Director for Nestlé Ghana, added: “Nestlé has been a steadfast, socially responsible corporate citizen of Ghana. We’ve experienced fulfilling and challenging moments in this country and today, we can proudly say that the socio-economic stability experienced in the past two decades have fostered the belief that the Ghanaian economy, and its people can respond favourably to such an investment.”

As the first of its kind in the Central and West Africa region, the plant is equipped with the latest food processing technology. By aiming to lessen fossil energy consumption by around 15%, all the new chillers in the plant will use an environmentally-friendly refrigerant to combat the impact on the ozone layer and help reduce production costs.

Nestlé Ghana’s 39-year-old Tema factory was opened for manufacturing in 1971 producing Ideal milk and Milo products.

Currently, the factory also produces Chocolim, Nescafé 3 in 1, Cerelac, Carnation and Nescafé Breakfast.

Related information:
Photos on Flickr

Nestlé India plans collaboration to help manage diabetes

SOLUTIONS: Products formulated to assist in the dietary management of diabetes include Resource Diabetic, a complete, high-fibre diet.

Nestlé India has signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC) to develop nutrition initiatives aimed at helping to manage diabetes.

The collaboration - which focuses on increasing consumers’ awareness and knowledge of their diets - will see Nestlé work with N-DOC to understand the impact of local diets and changing lifestyles on the increasing incidence of the disease in India.

Gary Tickle, Regional Business Head of Nestle Nutrition, South Asia, said: “The Nestlé Nutrition Institute promotes science for better nutrition and N-DOC conducts culturally specific, basic and applied research in the areas of diabetes, obesity, and cholesterol disorders with the help of physicians and scientists. We see this as the beginning of a strong partnership.”

To kick off the announcement last week, a conference was organised by the Nestlé Nutrition Institute and N-DOC on ‘Nutrition Empowerment for Prevention and Management of Diabetes’ in Delhi. The conference was chaired by Professor Anoop Misra, Chairman of N-DOC, and Director and Head of the Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases at the Fortis Group of Hospitals. Research presented suggested that lifestyle measures, physical exercise and good nutrition can all play a major role in managing, and in some cases even helping to prevent the disease.

Clinical nutrition with scientifically-formulated diets can help to provide balanced nutrition to people with diabetes while also delaying its possible long-term complications.

Nestlé’s worldwide commitment to diabetes research

In many countries, including India, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition already offers a range of nutritional solutions designed to help diabetic patients more effectively manage their disease and minimise its common side effects. Managing diabetes means keeping blood glucose levels in the target range, controlling blood lipids, managing weight as per guidelines and monitoring blood pressure to reduce the risk of complications.

Products formulated to assist in the dietary management of diabetes include Nutren Diabetes and Resource Diabetic, a complete, high-fibre diet with a flexible caloric density for oral supplementation or enteral feeding of patients with hyperglycaemia; Novasource Diabet, a complete balanced nutritional formula; and Boost Glucose Control, formulated with a unique balance of protein, fat and slow-digesting carbohydrates.

Nestlé has been using its expertise in science-based nutrition and food technology to develop products with a ‘health plus’ for everyday consumption ever since the company was established more than 140 years ago.

Related information:
Nestlé Nutrition Institute

Nestlé introduces Peptamen Bariatric Formula for the critically-ill obese patient

Experts determine that current formulas do not adequately meet the unique nutritional needs of these patients

Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition announced today the launch of Peptamen Bariatric Formula, a unique tube feeding formula specifically designed for the critically-ill obese patient. The announcement came at this week’s American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Clinical Nutrition Week meeting where a panel of experts gathered to discuss the issue of obesity in the critical care setting and the unmet nutritional needs of this patient population. These nutrition leaders agree that current nutrition protocols, and the more than 200 existing formulas, unless manipulated, do not adequately meet the nutritional needs of the critically-ill obese patient.

"More than one in four ICU patients are now obese,"¹ said Dr. Juan Ochoa, Medical and Scientific Director, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition. “As obesity rates increase across the country and around the world, it is vital to provide clinicians with the information and tools they need to serve this patient population with the best care possible.”

Opinion leaders in nutrition including Stephen McClave, M.D., Roland Dickerson, Pharm.D. and Robert Martindale, M.D., Ph.D. were onsite to discuss the lack of consistent protocols used in nutritional assessment and how to best care for obese patients in the Intensive Care Unit. They emphasized that despite the proven benefit of proper nutrition intervention, many healthcare providers do not have the resources needed to address the unique nutritional needs of these challenging patients.

Many of the existing tube feeding formulas, for instance, do not contain enough protein or the appropriate micronutrients recommended for this patient population in the 2009 Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines. Experts agree that new formulas, protocols and training should be developed to help assure these patients receive the appropriate amount of nutrients within the optimal energy targets.

"The lack of consistent and appropriate nutrition interventions for the obese, critically-ill patient means that some patients may be overfed, others may be underfed and become malnourished, and others may not have their nutritional needs assessed at all. All of these scenarios can present problems with health outcomes and recovery rates," said Stephen McClave, M.D., Professor of Medicine, University of Louisville.

Obesity is a serious health concern because of its related complications and co-morbidities, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders such as diabetes and respiratory disease. The increased rate of infections and complications associated with obesity in the ICU can be significant, costly and affect treatment across all settings.

"There is a known benefit with early nutritional intervention in the ICU patient. However, despite having more than 236 formulas, until recently, not one met the recommended amount of protein and calories suggested to help support improved patient outcomes for this patient population," said Robert Martindale, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of General Surgery, Oregon Health & Science University.

To address this important need, Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition has developed a tube feeding formula, Peptamen Bariatric, with a unique protein-to-calorie ratio specifically designed to help meet the protein requirements of the critically ill obese patient recommended in the 2009 Critical Care Nutrition Guidelines.²

Peptamen Bariatric tube feeding formula is the latest addition to the Nestlé Peptamen family of products. Peptamen is the only family of peptide formulas with over 50 clinical studies and more than 23 years of clinical experience. For the tube feeding of the critically-ill obese patient, Peptamen Bariatric formula provides 37 percent of calories from 100 percent whey protein, enzymatically hydrolyzed to produce peptides. The lipid blend in Peptamen Bariatric contains 50 percent medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) to support improved formula tolerance and successful enteral feeding.

For more information about Peptamen Bariatric and the Peptamen family of products, please visit Nestlé Nutrition - Peptamen Bariatric Formula

About Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition, Inc.

Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition offers nutritional solutions for people with specific dietary needs related to illnesses, disease states or the special challenges of different life stages. Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition is part of Nestlé Health Science S.A., which became operational on January 1, 2011 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A.

¹ Hogue et al. Intensive Care Medicine 2009:35; 1152-1170.
² This above statement does not constitute an endorsement of Peptamen Bariatric Formulas or any other Nestlé Nutrition formula by SCCM or ASPEN.

Nestlé to invest CHF 83 million in dairy factory in Brazil and to create over 1,000 jobs

NINHO UHT MILK: The new factory will start to produce popular liquid milk brands Ninho and Molico later this year.

A new milk factory producing brands such as Ninho and Molico will be constructed in the state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, Nestlé has announced today.

With an investment of BRL 163 million (over CHF 83 million), the 20,000 sq.-metre factory in the city of Três Rios will produce UHT and ready-to-drink (RTD) milk products by the end of the year.

The installation of production lines – for soy-based milk brand Sollys, Nestlé Fast, and RTD beverages under the brands Alpino, Nescau and Neston – aims to produce around 124,000 tonnes of milk products a year.

The investment, announced at a ceremony in the state of Rio de Janeiro, by Ivan Zurita, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Brazil, and Sergio Cabral, Brazilian State Governor, will also look to create over 1,000 direct and indirect new jobs.

Mr Zurita said: "We have chosen the State of Rio de Janeiro for our 31st industrial factory in Brazil due to its growing importance for the Nestlé business in the country. In 2011, we celebrate 90 years in Brazil and it is a great joy to celebrate this anniversary with the announcement of a new factory, reinforcing our commitment to the country."

CEREMONIAL HANDSHAKE: Left to right, Vinícius Farah, Mayor of Três Rios, Ivan Zurita, CEO of Nestlé Brazil, and Sérgio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro.

Sérgio Cabral, Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro, added: "This is a very special moment for Rio de Janeiro. The inauguration of a new Nestlé plant is an additional step in the process of economic revitalisation of our State. I am sure Nestlé will substantially contribute to the development of our economy."

Adopting state-of-the-art production technologies and equipment for product packaging and innovative raw material collection, the facility will promote the efficient use of energy and water, illustrating Nestlé’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

The factory – which will supply products to the Brazilian states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and São Paulo – will furthermore provide an opportunity to improve the milk production in the region, where initial milk supply is around 200,000 litres a day.

With the support of the Brazilian State and the Municipality of Três Rios, Nestlé has started to collect data to develop productivity and quality improvement projects, further supporting milk production sustainability in the area.

The factory will be the third production site in the State of Rio de Janeiro under the Nestlé umbrella. The Jacarepaguá factory produces Nestlé ice cream products, while the Petrópolis plant supplies Nestlé bottled mineral water.

The new Brazilian investment follows the BRL 120 million (over CHF 61 million) expansion of Nestlé’s 63-year-old plant in Araraquara, Brazil, in summer 2009, increasing the production of aseptic brands Ninho and Molico. It also follows the inauguration of Nestlé’s largest ready-to-drink aseptic products factory in Anderson, Indiana, in the United States, in March 2009.

Nestlé invests in new breakfast cereals factory in Turkey

Nestlé today announced an investment of TRY 85 million (over CHF 49.6 million) in a new breakfast cereals factory in Turkey.

The 9,400 square-metre factory in Karacabey, Bursa – which will begin production of breakfast cereals by the end of the year – is set to generate 160 new jobs.

As a strong leader in the breakfast cereals category with brands such as Nesquik, Nesfit and Cornflakes, Nestlé responded to the growing need of such products in Turkey with a new factory that will become a regional hub for breakfast cereals and export products to North African and Middle Eastern countries.

Previously Nestlé imported breakfast cereal products into Turkey, but thanks to the new factory, the majority of Nestlé products sold in Turkey will be produced in the country.

In supporting the Company’s Creating Shared Value strategy, all the raw ingredients for breakfast cereals will be sourced locally, benefiting Turkish communities and farmers, plus creating 1,000 indirect jobs.

PRESS CONFERENCE: Left to right, Hans-Ulrich Mayer, Managing Director for Nestlé Turkey, Nihat Ergün, Turkish Minister of Trade and Industry and İlker Aycı, President of Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT)

To be constructed with the backing of the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), the factory will add to the 14 other Nestlé breakfast cereals sites worldwide.

At a press conference event to mark the investment, Hans-Ulrich Mayer, Managing Director for Nestlé Turkey, was joined by Nihat Ergün, Minister of Trade and Industry, and İlker Aycı, President of ISPAT.

Mr Mayer explained that the new investment in Turkey reaffirms Nestlé’s commitment to the country, which comes on top of the total investment of TRY 325 million in Turkey over the past four years.

He said: “As the 15th breakfast cereals site for Nestlé, this is an indication of our belief in Turkey, and our long-term commitment in this country.”

Mr Mayer continued that the breakfast cereals category in Turkey is also growing at a fast pace with around seven million Turkish households continuing to buy breakfast cereals.

Mr İlker Aycı, President of ISPAT, outlined the importance of Nestlé’s new investment and added: “We are aware that this pioneering investment is going to set an example to other potential investors. This shows Nestlé’s belief in Turkey and the dynamism of the Turkish economy.”

Today, Nestlé Turkey – which offers brands such as Chokella, Nescafé and Damak – operates six factories and employs around 2,400 people.

Related information
Creating Shared Value
Nestlé Turkey

Nestlé invests CHF 160m and creates 500 new jobs in Egypt

INVESTING IN EGYPT: (Right to left) Frits van Dijk, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East, with Petraea Heynike, Nestlé Executive Vice President; Suresh Narayanan, Head of Nestlé Egypt; and Roger Stettler, Zone AOA Regional Manager.

Nestlé will invest CHF 160 million in its existing factories and distribution centres in Egypt, creating 500 new jobs in addition to its 3,000-strong workforce.

The three-year investment, announced today at a press conference in Cairo, follows investments totalling CHF 170 million in Egypt over the last ten years.

The focus will be on increasing production in Egypt, home to Nestlé’s only facility outside Europe for the production of Mövenpick super premium ice cream, and a manufacturing base for products such as Cerelac infant cereal and Maggi soups and bouillons.

Frits van Dijk, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East, outlined the strong potential for growth.

He said: “We are convinced that our business in Egypt will continue to benefit from the diversity and dynamism of the local population, along with the favourable demographic and economic growth trends. I am very optimistic about the opportunities here.”

As Nestlé continues to expand its business in emerging markets, Mr van Dijk confirmed that the Company’s Popularly Positioned Products (PPP) model would be an important growth driver in the region.

Targeted at emerging consumers - many of whom are entering the cash economy and buying branded goods for the first time - Nestlé’s PPPs are adapted to meet their needs in terms of price, accessibility and format, such as single serve packs.

Mr van Dijk also revealed plans to double Nestlé’s coffee machine vending business in Egypt this year, as food service industry arm Nestlé Professional goes from strength-to-strength.

CAIRO: Nestlé announced the CHF 160 million Egyptian investment at a press conference in the city.

He concluded: "More people are consuming ‘on the go’ and so out-of-home consumption is increasing dramatically. We are satisfying the needs of the consumers from all walks of life, from emerging consumers to those looking for premium products."

Nestlé has been present in Africa for more than 130 years. It currently operates 24 factories on the continent and provides direct employment to approximately 29,000 people. Present in North East Africa for more than 70 years, the Company’s direct operations and activities in the region began in Egypt in 1988.

Nestlé invests CHF 67 million in South Africa

GROUND BREAKING EVENT: (Right to left) Sullivan O’Carroll, Managing Director of Nestlé South Africa, Rudolph Baerfuss, Swiss Ambassador to South Africa, and Enoch Godo, South Africa's National Deputy Minister for Economic Development.

Nestlé today announced an investment of around CHF 67 million (more than ZAR 500 million) in South Africa.

The Company is reinforcing its commitment to emerging markets by investing more than ZAR 390 million in the construction of two new factories in Gauteng, creating a total of 230 permanent jobs.

It has invested a further ZAR 106 million in the recent acquisition of Specialised Protein Products, a soya processing company located in Potchefstroom, in the North West Province.

Sullivan O’Carroll, Managing Director of Nestlé South Africa, officially dug the ground at the site of the first factory.

He said: “With this investment, we are proud to express our continued confidence in South Africa’s future.

“In line with our long-term approach to business, it will not only create value for our shareholders, but also those local enterprises and farmers who will supply us with the majority of the raw materials required for manufacturing our products.”

The first new factory, to be built in the town of Babelegi, will be a 16,000 square metre facility to enable the local production of Milo and Cheerio cereals, which are currently being imported.

This will create 70 permanent jobs and at least 100 indirect jobs in its construction phase. A number of permanent employees will have the opportunity to develop their skills and receive training abroad with Nestlé engineers and technology specialists.

MAGGI PRODUCTS: Nestlé will increase production of its popular bouillons, seasonings and noodles in South Africa.

The second factory, also to be located in Babelegi, will produce Maggi products such as bouillons, seasonings and noodles.

This will generate 160 permanent jobs and at least 200 indirect jobs during the construction phase.

With the acquisition of Specialised Protein Products, including the continued employment of its 120 existing staff, Nestlé aims to increase production capacity of its non-dairy creamers while developing other high quality and affordable soya-based products.

Nestlé in Africa

Nestlé has been present in Africa for more than 130 years. It currently operates a total of 24 factories on the continent and provides direct employment to approximately 29,000 people. Its first factory in Africa was constructed in South Africa in 1927.

Nestlé invests CHF 98 million to increase production in Thailand

CONFIDENCE IN THE THAI ECONOMY: Paul Bulcke, Nestlé Chief Executive Officer (above) announced this weekend that the Company will invest CHF 98 million in Thailand.

Nestlé will invest more than CHF 98 million (THB 3.5 billion) in Thailand to increase manufacturing of its products including coffee and ice cream.

The two year investment will support the expansion of the Company’s existing factories in Thailand, as well as the construction of a new Nestlé Quality Assurance Centre.

The plans aim to meet the growing demand for Nestlé products in the country and the surrounding region.

Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer for Nestlé, made the announcement during a visit to the Thai capital Bangkok this weekend.

He said: “The sophistication of Thai consumers, and their increasing focus on higher quality products with greater health and nutritional benefits, is giving Nestlé an increasing competitive advantage in Thailand.

SCHOOL VISIT: Mr Bulcke meets schoolchildren in Thailand.

“Thailand has a very important role to play in both our Asian and our global strategy, as the country also looks after Nestlé’s business in the region.

“We are committed to Thailand for the long-term. We have confidence in the future of the Thai economy and are optimistic about the considerable potential of the Thai market and the Indochina Region.”

In 2010, Nestlé’s business in Thailand grew by more than 10% through a combination of domestic sales and the export of Thai-produced products to more than 44 countries around the world.

Supporting coffee farmers

Thailand is also one of the countries to benefit from the Nescafé Plan, the CHF 500 million initiative launched by Nestlé last year to address responsible farming, sourcing and consumption across its coffee supply chain.

As part of the plan, Nestlé has committed to purchasing coffee directly from more 12,500 farmers in Thailand’s main coffee growing areas within the next five years.

This will help local coffee growers obtain more favourable prices for their crops, while enabling them to gain access to financial and technical assistance.

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE: At a meeting in Bangkok, Mr Bulcke (centre) also explained how Thai coffee farmers will benefit from the Nescafé Plan.

Nestlé will also increase its distribution of coffee plantlets to Thai farmers to around six million plantlets within five years.

This will not only benefit farmers, but will also help the Company by giving it access to a higher quality, more reliable supply of coffee.

Nestlé in Thailand

In 2009, Nestlé announced major investments in two significant manufacturing projects in Thailand, taking its overall capital investment in the country at that time to CHF 56 million.

The investments supported the construction of a new Nestlé Purina pet food factory at the Amata City Industrial Estate, and the expansion of the Company’s existing factory in Navanakorn, which produces milk and coffee products.

Related information
Nestlé Thailand website

Nestle invests CHF 150 million in the Equatorial African Region

Nestlé today announced it will invest CHF 150 million in the Equatorial African Region (EAR) over the next three years.

Nestlé will also increase its distribution capacity in the region by opening 13 new distribution facilities and more than double its work force by creating 750 new jobs by 2012.

Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO, who announced the investment at a press conference in Kenyan capital Nairobi, said: “Nestlé is committed to unlock the business opportunities and to promote growth in Equatorial Africa. With 400 million people and an emerging middle-class with rising purchasing power, this region has major potential for Nestlé.”

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: Nestlé will more than double its workforce in the region by creating 750 new jobs over the next three years.

By opening new factories in the region, we are closer to our consumers and can better adapt our products to their taste and nutritional needs. At the same time, we share our success by sourcing locally, creating new local employment and helping in the further development of the region.

Frits van Dijk, Nestlé Executive Vice President responsible for Zone Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East, who also attended the press conference added: “Our strategy in the region is based on a specific business model that supports local sourcing of raw material, production and distribution of our products. Following this strategy, we recently launched products like Maggi cubes and Nestea, and also re-invigorated and re-launched our Milo brand in the EAR market.”

This new investment reaffirms Nestlé’s commitment to the EAR which includes a CHF 40 million investment in the DRC announced earlier this week. The Company will build a new factory in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, which is earmarked to produce culinary and coffee well-known brands including Maggi and Nescafé 3-in-1. Other products offered under the dairy, beverages and some coffee categories will be tailored to respond to local market needs. Currently operating a distribution centre in Kinshasa since September 2009, Nestlé will expand the total number of employees to 300 by 2012.

Nestlé has also committed an investment of CHF 30 million to build a new factory and distribution centre in Beira, Mozambique. The factory – which will support the increasing demand in Mozambique and neighbouring countries for Nestlé products including culinary, coffee and other beverages – will create over 260 new jobs within three years.

In Angola, Nestlé will invest CHF 25 million in a new factory which is expected to bring the total number of employees to 145 by 2012. Currently, Nestlé sources products for the Angolan market from other markets such as Portugal and Brazil. Angola is important for Nestlé, as an emerging market with a strong economy and a growing purchasing power.

While in Kenya, Nestlé is investing CHF 30 million in the expansion of its Nairobi factory including a new production line to support its newly-launched food service division, Nestlé Professional. The factory will supply Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Zambia.

In addition, in Zimbabwe, Nestlé is investing in the expansion and upgrade of its Harare factory at a cost of CHF 25 million. This is expected to boost its production capacity and help supply other regional markets such as Zambia and Mozambique.

Nestlé EAR – which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland – was set up in 2008. It oversees the Nestlé operations in 20 countries including Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Malawi, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nestlé’s Creating Shared Value commitment to the Equatorial African Region:

Mr Bulcke also stressed the wider impact of the Company’s activities in relation to Creating Shared Value. This is Nestlé's way of doing business that focuses on specific areas of its core business activities, namely water, nutrition, and rural development, where value is created both for society and the Company.

He emphasised: “At Nestlé we recognise that our success depends on creating value for society – from the farmers who supply our products, to our employees, to our consumers and the communities where we operate. Our aspiration in the region is to source much of our raw materials locally to assist in developing the local economies. It has been a great honour for me to see first-hand this week how this is working on the ground.”

Initiatives include:

In Mauritius, Kenya and Mozambique, Nestlé is preparing the launch of its Global Healthy Kids Programme. This programme aims to improve the nutrition, health and wellness of school children through better nutrition, greater physical activity, and other key health measures such as hygiene and sanitation.
In Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, Nestlé has signed a partnership with the East African Dairy Development Board to help stakeholders across the entire value chain – from farm to factory – to bring the milk to desired standards with around 179,000 farmers who are involved in this programme.
In Uganda and Tanzania, Nestlé partnered with the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) and the Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TACRI) to improve the coffee sectors in these two countries. The project aims to help develop coffee trees with improved productivity characteristics; higher disease resistance and higher quality, which in turn help increase farmers’ competitiveness and income.
In the DRC, Nestlé sponsored a women’s entrepreneurship programme called The New Hope Project. This is aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills of women in rural DRC and providing them with the opportunity to establish small businesses selling Nestlé’s products.

Related information

Images:
For high resolution photographs please visit our Flickr photostream.

Press release:
New investments confirm Nestlé’s commitment to Equatorial Africa (pdf, 122 Kb)

Fact sheet:
Nestlé Equatorial African Region (pdf, 310 Kb)

Press conference speeches
Pierre Trouilhat, Region Head of Nestlé Equatorial African Region (pdf, 102 Kb)
Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer Nestlé S.A. (pdf, 116 Kb)

Film:
Creating Value for dairy farmers

Links:
East African Dairy Development website

Nestlé invests CHF 38 million in Russian pet food factory

NEW INVESTMENT IN RUSSIA: The pet food factory located in Russia's Kaluga region will double production within three years.

Nestlé today announced it will invest more than CHF 38 million (RUB 1.3 billion) to double pet food production at its Purina PetCare factory in Russia’s Kaluga region.

The investment in the new manufacturing building at the factory - located in the village of Vorsino - follows the installation of a new production line earlier this year.

Creating around 60 new jobs, it will enable the factory to produce almost the entire range of Purina pet food products for sale in Russia and for export to other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

Laurent Freixe, Executive Vice President for Nestlé and Head of Zone Europe, revealed the expansion plans at an inauguration ceremony for the factory’s recently opened distribution centre.

He said: “We are proud to announce this new investment in our pet food business, which is developing successfully in Russia and other CIS countries.

“The new production line at the Vorsino factory has already expanded the range of products produced here, while the new distribution centre is ensuring their improved delivery all over Russia.”

“With this latest investment, we expect to double wet pet food production within the next three years.”

OFFICIAL OPENING: Laurent Freixe, Executive Vice President for Nestlé and Head of Zone Europe (left) and Maxim Akimov, Deputy Governor of the Kaluga Region (right) cut the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony of the new Purina distribution centre in Vorsino, Russia.

Mr Freixe was joined by Maxim Akimov, Deputy Governor of the Kaluga region; Stuart Irvine, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Russia; and Yana Mikhailova, Director of Nestlé Purina PetCare Russia, Ukraine and CIS.

Other members of Nestlé management and local authority representatives were also present.

Nestlé Purina PetCare has been a leader in the scientific advancement of pet care and pet nutrition for more than 80 years. Its product range is designed to give pets and their owners the best possible choice of recipes and formats, for every life stage and lifestyle.

As a committed member of the wider pet care community, Nestlé Purina PetCare works closely with the communities in which it works and operates, while promoting responsible pet ownership worldwide.

Nestlé Purina PetCare in Russia

Nestlé Purina PetCare offers a wide range of pet food products in Russia, including Friskies, Darling, Felix, Gourmet, Pro Plan, Dog Chow, and Cat Chow.

The company opened its first local factory in Vorsino in 2007 to produce its Friskies and Darling brands.

In 2009, Purina expanded the factory with an investment of more than CHF 29 million (RUB 1 billion) to produce wet pet food under the Friskies brand.

Earlier this year, it opened both a new production line and a new distribution centre at the Vorsino site.

The distribution centre was built with an investment of almost CHF 15 million (RUB 500 million), and employs around 50 local people.

Related information:
Nestlé Russia
Nestlé Purina Russia

Nestlé invests CHF 40 million in the Democratic Republic of Congo

INVESTMENT BOOST: As part of a CHF 40 million investment, Nestlé will build a new factory in the Democratic Republic of Congo earmarked to produce well-known brands including Maggi

Nestlé today announced it will invest CHF 40 million in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the next three years.

Under the investment boost, the Company will build a new factory in the Congolese capital Kinshasa, which is earmarked to produce culinary and coffee well-known brands including Nescafé 3-in-1 and Maggi. Other products offered under the dairy, beverages and some coffee categories will be tailored to respond to local market needs.

Paul Bulcke, Nestlé CEO, said: “Nestlé is committed to unlocking the business opportunities and to promote growth of our market in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since the establishment of distribution centres and sales offices in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Goma in 2009, we have seen a remarkable growth, which we are now responding to by strengthening our presence.”

Mr Bulcke added: “By building a new factory in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we will come closer to our consumers and can better adapt our products to their taste and nutritional needs.”

By 2011, Nestlé will further strengthen its position in DRC by locally sourcing its raw materials for its culinary and coffee production. In addition, the number of Nestlé employees will expand to 300 people when the investment project concludes at the end of 2012.

Currently, Nestlé DRC offers brands including Nido, Nestlé Sweetened and Condensed Milk, Maggi, Nescafé, Nesquik, Milo, Cerelac and Nan, sourced from other Nestlé markets.

The DRC is under the Nestlé Equatorial African Region (EAR) which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland.

Nestlé EAR was set up in 2008 and oversees the Nestlé operations in 20 countries including Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Malawi, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Nestlé invests CHF 72 million in new culinary factory in India

CONTINUED COMMITMENT TO INDIA: Nestlé CEO Paul Bulcke addressed guests at the inauguration ceremony of a new culinary factory in Karnataka.

A new culinary factory dedicated to manufacturing Nestlé sauces, noodles, bouillons and seasoning brands such as Maggi was officially opened today in India.

With an investment of CHF 72 million, the 30,000 square-metre factory in Nanjangud in the region of Karnataka, is set to generate around 630 jobs.

Taking only nine months to be completed, the factory was inaugurated by Paul Bulcke, Nestlé Chief Executive Officer, and Frits van Dijk, Zone Director of Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East.

Dr B.S. Yeddyurappa, Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka; and Antonio Helio Waszyk, Chairman and Managing Director of Nestlé India, also attended the event.

Currently operating a state-of-the-art coffee factory in Nanjangud, Mr Bulcke emphasised that Nestlé’s continued commitment and on-going investments demonstrate its confidence in the region of Karnataka and India overall.

COOKING AT HOME WITH NESTLÉ:
A selection of popular Maggi culinary products sold in India.

He said: “Our business is growing well in India and we are very optimistic about the country’s growth opportunities over the coming years. This factory specialises in the manufacturing of culinary products and this investment reaffirms our confidence in our brands and people.”

Mr Bulcke also added: “As is true of all our worldwide operations, we are committed to Creating Shared Value in India both for shareholders and local communities. Creating Shared Value is the expression of our conviction that only by creating value for society as a whole, we can create long-term value for our shareholders.”

Mr Bulcke pointed out that one of the examples of Creating Shared Value in India is the recently launched ‘Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme – Saanjhapan’.

The Saanjhapan scheme in Karnataka, India, forms part of Nestlé Healthy Kids worldwide initiative to raise the Nutrition, Health and Wellness awareness of school children globally.

Developed in partnership with the University of Mysore, India, the scheme aims to create nutrition awareness, improved eating habits and a more active lifestyle among 13-17 year old school children.

In addition, Nestlé is also working with the Government of Karnataka to continue to provide clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in village schools.

HELPING IN THE KITCHEN: Part of the Nestlé Healthy Kids Global Programme is dedicated to improving nutrition awareness among school children.

Nestlé India
Nestlé India today operates seven factories and employs around 6,000 people.

Nestlé keeps an eye on the road to reduce the risk of accidents

WATCH THE VIDEO: This short film explains how Nestlé is also helping to make roads safer in Pakistan, in partnership with the National Highway and Motorway Police.

Nestlé is using cutting-edge technology on its long haul transport network in the United States to prevent potential road crashes before they happen.

The Virtual Risk Management software collects information on a variety of factors including driver licence information, collisions and road side inspections.

It combines this with so-called ‘telematic data’ from the vehicle, which can provide details on anything from harsh braking and sudden acceleration to engine idling.

The online software then analyses all the data using a behaviour modelling programme in order to calculate a risk score.

This not only helps Nestlé to identify higher risk drivers for further support and coaching, but also allows the company to recognise and reward its safest drivers.

24 MILLION KILOMETRES: Nestlé's long haul fleet in the USA travels the annual equivalent of almost 600 times around the equator.

“Our long haul fleet covers a total yearly average of more than 24 million kilometres - the equivalent of driving around the equator almost 600 times,” said Rob Rice, Logistics Safety and Compliance Manager for Nestlé USA.

“Our drivers operate 196 articulated trucks and 526 trailers from four main terminals to transport goods from Nestlé’s factories to third parties across the country.

“They take a lot of pride in striving to be the safest and most efficient on the road.”

Global Partnership for Road Safety

Three reasons to act on road safety:

• The World Health Organization forecasts that by 2020, road accidents will be the third most common cause of premature death worldwide.

• In low and middle income countries, the cost of road accidents often exceeds the amount annually received in foreign aid.

• Road death is the second biggest killer of young men worldwide. Only HIV/AIDS claims more lives.

Source: Global Road Safety Partnership

Nestlé also uses other web based tools to manage risk and improve driver behaviour in other countries including Poland and Switzerland.

The technology has been introduced as part of the safe driving programme the company began in 2007 to reduce road accidents in the regions where it operates.

Nestlé’s global fleet of around 10,000 delivery vehicles includes everything from juggernauts to ice cream vans and even tricycles.

The experience of managing such a diverse worldwide transport network has led Nestlé to join the Global Road Safety Partnership.

Run by the International Federation of the Red Cross, the partnership between governments and the private and public sectors aims to reduce the 3,000 deaths that occur daily on the world’s roads.

By taking part, Nestlé is showing its support for the United Nations’ Decade of Action for Road Safety, a ten year campaign launched in May to improve road safety.

Safer journeys in Pakistan

CHANGING DRIVERS' BEHAVIOUR: Nestlé and the National Highway and Motorway Police have set up Pakistan's first driver training school.

In Pakistan, more than 3,500 drivers have been helped by a pioneering initiative between Nestlé and the National Highway and Motorway Police.

The Safar Bakhair (Safe Journey) project works to change drivers’ behaviour in a country which has the fourth highest rate of fatal road accidents in the world.

As part of the project, Pakistan’s first ever driver training school was set up by Nestlé and the National Highway and the Motorway Police, to educate not only the company’s drivers, but also drivers from other organisations.

Featuring a two kilometre driving track and driving simulator, the school provides theoretical and practical training in safer road and vehicle handling techniques.

“We operate one of the largest fleets of delivery vehicles in Pakistan, covering an average total distance of around 100,000 kilometres a day,” said Salman Nazir, Head of Supply Chain for Nestlé Pakistan.

CAMPAIGNING FOR SAFER ROADS: The Global Road Safety Partnership aims to reduce the 3,000 deaths that occur daily on the world's roads.

“Safar Bakhair encourages our drivers and contractors to become more accountable for their own driving, by developing a sense of pride about their performance and responsibility for taking care of the vehicle.

“Trained drivers often earn more. They have mandatory rest periods, group insurance and most importantly, fewer injuries through accidents,” he added.

As a result of the project, the safety and first aid equipment of old vehicles have been upgraded. Driver rest facilities have also been developed in Nestlé’s factories and at main milk collection points.

It has helped to reduce vehicle break downs, maintenance costs, milk losses, and fuel consumption.

Related information
Nestlé USA
Nestlé Pakistan

Nestlé kicks off ‘huge year’ for Aero in the UK and Ireland

NEW AERO CARAMEL: A light but satisfying treat free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives

Nestlé will make 2011 a ‘huge year’ for Aero in the United Kingdom and Ireland with a series of exciting innovations to the air-bubble filled milk chocolate range.

The new twists will be communicated to Aero fans via a highly interactive 'bubble-speak' campaign, backed by the biggest media spend in the brand's 75 year history.

The first major wave kicks off this month with the re-release of 'irresisti-bubble' Aero Caramel. The investment aims to strengthen Nestlé’s presence in the caramel variant chocolate bar market, worth an estimated GBP 196m in the UK.

Offering five easy-to-break portions of milk chocolate topped with a smooth caramel layer, the new Aero Caramel recipe is an improvement on the single bar first introduced in 2004.

At less than 200 calories and free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives, it is targeted at on-the-go consumers looking for a light but satisfying treat.

Now on shelves, Aero Caramel will be boosted by an intensive five-week television push from 26 January, followed by a two-week outdoor advertising drive from 1 February.

Ten major British cities - including London, Manchester, Newcastle and Edinburgh - will host large scale touch-screen billboards inviting people to take the ‘lovea-bubble’ test.

Digital activity, also beginning on 1 February, will centre around the brand’s Facebook and You Tube fan pages.

Throughout the year, Nestlé will release 100 ‘remarka-bubble’ online films, each introducing a new word to the ‘bubble-speak’ vocabulary.

Graham Walker, Nestlé UK Trade Communications Manager, explained: “We are pulling out all the stops with this major creative campaign. It builds on the brand’s association with fun by encouraging fans to interact with the brand on a regular basis.”

Aero Caramel is already the second innovation to the Aero range this month, following the launch of the new Aero Orange ‘sharea-bubble’ block for home consumption.

Related information:
Nestlé UK
Aero Bubbles

Nestlé Lanka expands dairy industry with new chilling centre

OPENING CEREMONY: From left Honourable Speaker of Parliment Chamal Rajapaksa, Environment Minister Anura P. Yapa, Nestlé Lanka Chairman Antonio Helio Waszyk, Nestlé Lanka Managing Director David Saudan and Nestlé Lanka Managing Director Designate Alois Hofbauer.

Nestlé Lanka inaugurated a new chilling centre in the northern province of Kilinochchi in Sri Lanka furthering its expansion in the dairy industry.

The new facility – which is the first to be opened in Kilinochchi in 30 years and will add to the Company’s 106 other chilling facilities in the country – was officially opened by Honourable Chamal Rajapaksa, Speaker of the Parliament and Honourable Anura P. Yapa, Minister of Environment. Nestlé plans to invest in eight more before the end of this year.

Antonio Helio Waszyk, Chairman of Nestlé Lanka and Head of the South Asia Region, attended the official opening with David Saudan, Managing Director for Nestlé Lanka, and Alois Hofbauer, Managing Director designate for Nestlé Lanka.

Honourable Rajapaksa said: “I thank Nestlé Lanka for upholding its commitment to develop the country’s dairy industry and supporting the Government’s initiative to develop the north eastern areas. The initiative is a solid testimony of their dedication to the local dairy industry, local rural communities and to the nation as a whole.”

Mr Waszyk added: “This inauguration of the Chilling Centre at Kilinochchi is an important milestone in our endeavour to support the development of the dairy industry in Sri Lanka. Our 107th chilling centre is the first in the Kilinochchi area and we hope it will accelerate economic development and prosperity for the people in this region.

“It is highly gratifying to be able to spearhead an initiative that will create immense value for local rural communities, and which offers our company the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to Creating Shared Value (CSV), which is the basic way we do business.”

Nestlé Lanka will provide dairy farmers with training, development, support and assistance via sustainable dairy farming best practices, along with aid and information on livestock health, breeding, milking, hygiene, sterile handling and storage.

In addition, Nestlé Lanka aims to help dairy farmers develop pasture and feed, with farmer incentives for artificial insemination; and will distribute equipment and supporting material such as milk churns and hampers containing cattle feed.

Having supported the Sri Lankan dairy sector since the early 1980’s, today Nestlé Lanka is the country’s single largest private sector collector of fresh milk, procuring an average of 115,000 litres of milk every day from 13,000 local dairy farmers.

Nestlé Lanka wins award for dairy sector development

AWARD CEREMONY: Alois Hofbauer, Managing Director of Nestlé Lanka, receiving the award for the company’s significant contribution to develop the local dairy industry from Hon Chamal Rajapaksa, Speaker of the Parliament, at the Swarna Lanka Awards 2010.

Nestlé Lanka was honoured with the prestigious Swarna Lanka award for its drive in boosting the dairy industry in Sri Lanka.

This award was presented to Alois Hofbauer, Managing Director for Nestlé Lanka, by the Honourable Chamal Rajapaksa, Speaker of Parliament, Sri Lanka at a ceremony last week.

Mr Hofbauer on the occasion said: “In line with the government’s mission to develop rural communities and make the local dairy industry self sufficient, we are proud to be the top private sector collector of fresh milk in the country.

“Our initiatives to support and develop local milk production and our commitment to support the Sri Lankan Government’s initiative to develop the North and East areas are an integral part of our business. We are deeply honoured to receive this award and will continue our efforts to enhance the quality of life across the country by Creating Shared Value and providing Good Food Good Life to our local communities.”

Pioneering milk collection on a large scale in former conflict areas – the North and East districts of Sri Lanka – in 2009, Nestlé has significantly accelerated the development of the local dairy industry and quality of local fresh milk production this year.

Recent examples include the inauguration of Sri Lankan milk chilling centres in Kilinochchi and Oddusudan, both of which were landmark events for the North and East provinces and the first in their respective areas in 30 years. The centres are expected to have a significant impact on the progression of the districts’ dairy community and overall economy.

Continuing the Company’s determined drive to develop the country’s dairy sector, Mr Hofbauer opened the latest chilling centre in Andankulam in the Mannar district of the Eastern province earlier this month, marking Nestlé Lanka’s 115th chilling centre in the country.

The Swarna Lanka awards are organised by the Independent Mass Communicators Organisation to honour individuals, private sector organisations and entrepreneurs who have shown tremendous dedication in developing Sri Lanka.

Related information:
Nestlé Lanka expands dairy industry with new chilling centre

Nestlé launches BabyNes, the first comprehensive nutrition system for babies, in Switzerland

INNOVATION: The BabyNes machine combines state-of-the-art technology with the utmost safety and convenience, and ensures a hygienic, quick and easy bottle preparation.

Nestlé today announced the launch in Switzerland of its premium BabyNes system, a unique combination of nutrition innovation, high-tech machine technology and after-sales service.

BabyNes is the world’s first comprehensive nutrition system for infants and toddlers, and is based on Nestlé’s latest scientific achievements in baby nutrition and systems technology. With BabyNes, Nestlé builds on its unmatched expertise in baby nutrition gained over 145 years since the invention of Farine Lactée by Henri Nestlé.

Nestlé supports exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life, in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, and continued breastfeeding thereafter for as long as possible. For babies who are not breastfed, Nestlé provides high-quality breast milk substitutes, such as BabyNes.

BabyNes offers single-serve formulas for infants and young children up to the age of three years. The composition of the six consecutive formulas meets the evolving nutritional needs in the first three years of life: four formulas in the first year, and one formula for each of the following two years. The customised composition of these products is tailored to suit the growth pattern in early life and the baby’s changing nutritional needs, while taking into account the steady introduction of solid food into the infant’s diet.

BABYNES CAPSULE: The BabyNes system uses new patented technology to prepare and deliver a hygienic, safe product for babies in a new way. At the heart of the innovation is the BabyNes capsule which contains an integrated microbiological filter to eliminate bacteria from the water. The product preparation all takes place within the closed capsule which means it doesn't have any contact with the machine or the user before going into the bottle.

The single-serve portions are sealed in capsules, used in the proprietary BabyNes machine, which recognises each capsule and prepares the bottle with precisely the right dosage and temperature, at the push of a button, in less than one minute. The BabyNes machine combines state-of-the-art technology with the utmost safety and convenience, and ensures a hygienic, quick and easy bottle preparation.

In addition, BabyNes offers 24-hour customer service via the Swiss BabyNes website, the French BabyNes website or via the BabyNes customer service hotline. Customers may use the interactive service on the websites to understand and track their baby’s growth and changing nutritional needs, to choose the right product type, as well as to order capsules or get more information from professional nutritionists.

BabyNes goes on sale today exclusively in Switzerland. BabyNes products can be purchased via the BabyNes website or in selected pharmacies and baby stores across Switzerland. BabyNes capsules are dispatched within 48 hours to any address in Switzerland.

Related links:
BabyNes website - Switzerland
BabyNes website - France (French language only)

BabyNes PDF press release:
English (pdf, 493 Kb)
Français
Deutsch (pdf, 533 Kb)

Nestlé launches bioplastic caps for milk brands in Brazil

NEW BIOPLASTIC CAP: Ninho carton with the new cap made from sugar cane-derived plastic

Nestlé Brazil is to launch bioplastic caps for its popular milk brands Ninho and Molico illustrating the Company’s commitment to the use of packaging materials from renewable resources.

From August, the new caps made from sugar cane-derived plastic will be used for Nestlé’s UHT and ready-to-drink milk products in the country.

Currently, Nestlé is involved in over 30 projects to introduce bioplastics in its product packaging portfolio worldwide.

Ivan Zurita, President of Nestlé Brazil, emphasised that using conventional plastics made from renewable resources for its products marks a significant landmark, not only for the Company, but the food and beverage packaging industry as a whole.

He said: “This is an innovating initiative that adds further value to our products. Our participation in this project is fully aligned with our global social responsibility platform called Creating Shared Value, where it can best create value both for society and shareholders, and the communities where it operates.”

In partnership with Tetra Pak and Braskem, Nestlé’s milk products which will use the new bioplastic caps and are contained in Tetra Brik® aseptic packaging include Ninho, Ninho Levinho, Ninho Low Lactose and Molico.

Carlos Fadigas, President for Braskem, Brazil’s largest petrochemical company, backed the joint collaboration with Nestlé to advance the use of packaging from renewable resources, and said: “We are very proud to take part in initiatives alongside with companies that are global leaders in their segments. As the largest worldwide producer of biopolymers, we are fully involved in the commitment to promoting sustainability.”

Paulo Nigro, President for Tetra Pak in Brazil, an international food processing and packaging solutions company, added: “The use of polyethylene made out of a renewable raw material is another important step towards our goal of achieving 100% renewable packaging.”

In addition, the paper used for the production of Nestlé's milk brand cartons in Brazil comes from forests managed in alignment with the responsible forestry management principles, certified by Forest Stewardship Council.

Going one beyond

The introduction of bioplastic caps in Brazil follows on from the launch earlier this year of Nestlé Purina’s renewable resource pet food packaging for its brand One BeyOnd in the United States.

Nestlé Purina was the first pet food company to use over 90% of renewable materials in its product packaging bags. Soya inks are used for illustration on the outside of the One BeyOnd brand bags, together with a bioplastics lining on the inside made from corn-derived plastic.

Related links:
Nestlé Brazil

Releated articles:
Nestlé global workshop advances sustainability in product design
Nestlé sees bioplastics as future of packaging

Nestlé launches Special.T

TEA INNOVATION: Single-serving capsules contain premium portioned tea with names such as Earl Grey Lime.

September 10, 2010

Special.T , the pioneering tea solution announced in May, is now available throughout France and Switzerland exclusively through the website.

Visit the Special.T website to order machines, tea capsules and accessories - currently only available in French.

Watch the new concept film: Special.T

May 20, 2010

A pioneering solution to provide consumers at home with the highest quality portioned tea beverages is launched by Nestlé.

The Special.T tea machine system is based on a proprietary system of single-serving capsules containing top quality, premium portioned tea and specialised machines.

It underlines the Company's inventive role in the beverage machine market which started with Nespresso, today's market reference in highest quality portioned coffee.

Officially available in France from September 2010, Special.T will be exclusively commercialised via the internet with orders shipped to home or offices within 48 hours. In a second stage, Nestlé plans the roll-out of Special.T in other European markets.
Petraea Heynike, Executive Vice President of Nestlé S.A. responsible for Strategic Business Units, Marketing and Sales, said: “Special.T is another clear demonstration of Nestlé’s strong innovation capacities.

“After Nespresso and Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Special.T is our third major innovation in beverage systems, by which we pioneer the market of portioned tea and thus strengthen our commitment as the world’s largest beverage company. Special.T is a clear sign of the importance attributed to R&D and innovation.”

Special.T by Nestlé offers a selection of 25 tea varieties – ranging from green, black, blue, red and white teas, to flavoured teas and organic herb teas – which are carefully sourced from selected tea farms in China, Japan, Sri Lanka, India and South Africa.

Overall, Special.T’s qualities excel through the combination of tea leaves selected from the top 1% of the world’s tea harvest and a state-of-the-art machine technology.

The high quality tea leaves are protected by aluminium capsules, with each dosage measured to precision. The perfect brewing time and temperature for each individual tea variety is calculated by the innovative Special.T machine system, which in turn, releases the full benefits and infusion of the tea beverage.

The Special.T aluminium capsules are also infinitely recyclable within national recycling collection points systems.

Read the full press release
German: Nestlé lanciert wegweisendes Teemaschinen-System Special.T
French: Nestlé lance un système pionnier de machine à thé Special.T (pdf, 23 Kb)

Related information
Website: www.special-t.com
Images: Nestlé Flickr - Special.T set
Media: New York Times / International Herald Tribune: Nestlé to Take Teatime High-Tech
CV: Henk Kwakman, CEO Special.T

Nestlé launches The Cocoa Plan

PLANT EXPERTISE: Supplying farmers with stronger, disease-resistant plantlets as well as knowledge allows them to increase their yield-

Nestlé will invest CHF 460 million over the next 10 years to boost its sustainability initiatives in cocoa and coffee.

Through its pioneering plant science programme, the Company will supply 38 million high quality, disease-resistant plantlets to farmers helping them rejuvenate their farms and increase productivity.

As part of the CHF 460m total boost, Nestlé is announcing the launch of The Cocoa Plan website, a new consumer-facing initiative which brings together Nestlé’s activity to promote sustainable cocoa supply under one banner.

Backed by an investment of CHF 110 million over the next decade, The Cocoa Plan website aims to help address the key issues facing the cocoa farming communities that Nestlé works with. Although The Plan is not a quick fix for the challenging cocoa situation, it is an important and significant part of broad, collaborative efforts to improve the cocoa supply chain and the lives of cocoa farmers and communities.

This includes improving the quantity and quality of yields by providing 12 million stronger productive plantlets and increasing farmer training by teaching more efficient methods. In addition, Nestlé will commit to improve the supply chain in buying beans from farms which use sustainable practices and help cooperatives speed up the process from farm to export.

In working with partner organisations, such as the International Cocoa Initiative and the World Cocoa Foundation, Nestlé also aims to address issues such as child labour and poor access to healthcare and education.

Nestlé leads call to accelerate sustainable agricultural growth

CREAM OF THE CROP: Nestlé provides on-site education and training to help farmers improve the quality of their crop and increase their yields.

Nestlé today led a coalition of 17 global partner companies of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in calling for more constructive public-private sector partnerships in order to accelerate sustainable agricultural growth.

As a member of the ‘New Vision for Agriculture’ initiative, the Company presented a new ‘Roadmap for Stakeholders’ at the WEF Annual Meeting 2011, taking place in Davos, Switzerland, this week.

Frits van Dijk, Nestlé’s Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East (AOA), joined representatives from organisations including General Mills and Wal-Mart Stores Inc to announce the Roadmap, which sets out a series of priority actions and innovative models for collaboration.

Speaking on behalf of the initiative, Mr van Dijk said: “We are sending out a strong message that the private sector is ready to work with public sector leaders to realise agriculture’s potential as a positive driver of food security, environmental sustainability, and worldwide economic growth.

“To do this we need innovation right across the agricultural value chain, increased skill and investment, and the cooperation of all stakeholders. We all have a part to play: governments can set the direction, businesses can invest and innovate, and civil society can mobilise communities.”

We all have a part to play: governments can set the direction, businesses can invest and innovate, and civil society can mobilise communities. Frits van Dijk, Nestlé Executive Vice President

As Director of Nestlé’s Zone AOA region, Mr van Dijk has overseen the strengthening of relationships between Nestlé and those local communities who produce some of its most important raw materials.

In central and west Africa for example, Nestlé works directly with cereal grain and legume producers to reduce levels of biological toxins found in crops.

Through a programme of on-site education and training, Nestlé agronomists and technical advisors teach farmers how to grow safer grains, which not only attract a higher market value, but also reduce risks to the health of local people who consume them.

Such experience and expertise in rural development led to Nestlé becoming one of the 17 WEF global partner companies to provide strategic leadership and championship of the New Vision for Agriculture initiative.

Managed by the WEF, the initiative works to advance market-based solutions and develop a shared agenda for action with business, governments, farmers, international organisations and civil society.

Nestlé leads new interactive study on health and happiness in Australia

Nestlé is asking up to half a million Australians to rate how happy and healthy they are in a first-ever study of its kind.

Emphasising its global commitment to Nutrition, Health and Wellness, Nestlé Australia developed the interactive Happily Healthy Project.

It examines key factors that contribute to health and happiness, exploring the complex relationship between the two.

Now online, over 30,000 people have already taken part in the 10 minute survey.

Developed in connection with motivational psychologist from Sydney University, Dr Anthony Grant, the survey will also give people ideas about how to change their lifestyles to make them happier and healthier.

DR ANTHONY GRANT: Author and motivational psychologist from Sydney University, Australia

“It’s really hard to reach the goals in our lives unless we have some sort of benchmark,” explained Dr Grant.

“Sometimes people are hesitant to go online to do a self-assessment or a test as they think they could fail – but there are no right or wrong answers.”

The idea that happiness can influence health or wellbeing is being embraced by governments around the world.

Happiness and wellbeing

One of the pioneers was King Wangchuk of Bhutan who decided Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was not the best indicator of the country’s progress.

Instead he asked his economists to measure what he called "Gross National Happiness”.

A panel of economists commissioned by French President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2009 suggested the replacement of GDP with a ‘Net National Product’ to measure the happiness of the people.

And more recently, British Prime Minister David Cameron also announced plans for a ‘happiness index’ in November 2010.

A central component of Nestlé’s Happily Healthy Project is the Happily Healthy Quotient (HHQ) where people, for the first time, can be scored on their level of fulfilment with life, both physically and emotionally.

Once participants sign up to the website and find their HHQ, a team of experts in psychology, nutrition and fitness, will provide them with tips to improve their overall wellbeing.

Katrina Koutoulas, Head of Corporate Marketing, and Jo Derry, Head of Insights and Planning for Nestlé Oceania, believe results will form part of further ongoing research by the Company to help people live happier and healthier lives.

Related links
Happily Healthy project
Get you HHQ

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Nestlé leads new research on vitamin D deficiency in office workers

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Nestlé leads new research on vitamin D deficiency in office workers

SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS: Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient which is produced naturally by the body through exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays

Nestlé underlines its global commitment to fighting chronic disease in the workplace by commissioning new research on vitamin D deficiency in Australian office workers.

A joint study by the Company and the University of Sydney has revealed that one in three Australian workers is deficient in the essential micronutrient during the summer.

The research - the first of its kind to be carried out in Australia - examined the vitamin D levels of 104 male and female employees at Nestlé’s Australian headquarters in Sydney.

Dr Penny Small, Nestlé Australia’s Head of Corporate Nutrition, outlined why the study was commissioned, and said: “In 2008, Nestlé signed a multi-company, global commitment to the World Health Organisation to fight chronic disease in the workplace.

“As part of our commitment in Australia, we really wanted to get an understanding of how mounting evidence into vitamin D deficiency was playing out in the workforce.”

The study found that 42% of workers recorded low levels of vitamin D by the end of winter.

Deficiency in vitamin D, which is produced naturally by the body through exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, puts them at greater risk of reproductive problems, poor muscle function and the brittle bone disease osteoporosis.

Alarming results

Professor Rebecca Mason, a world expert in vitamin D from the Bosch Institute and Sydney Medical School led the joint research.

She explained why she was so concerned by the outcome: “In a relatively young and healthy population you don’t expect these results.

“One of the causes of the deficiency could be linked to people working longer hours in more sedentary jobs as well as spending more leisure time indoors.

“What’s really alarming is that some of the women in the study were of childbearing age and vitamin D is important for the healthy development of a foetus as well as beneficial to the health of the mother.”

Preventative measures

SUSTAGEN SPORT: The sports nutrition product is fortified with vitamin D.

Nestlé already offers preventative medicine programmes to its employees in more than 95% of its sites around the world - including Australia - covering blood tests and vaccinations as well as nutrition training.

It is also the world’s largest provider of micronutrient fortification, offering a range of fortified products to help improve the nutritional status of consumers in both developing and developed countries.

Dr Small explained how studies such as the one commissioned by Nestlé in Australia help to inform not only the company’s workplace wellness programme, but also its future product development in the country.

She said: “The research has prompted a lot of discussion on how we can use the results to benefit not only us here at Nestlé, but also the wider community.

“In Australia, vitamin D is in our Sustagen and Nestlé Malted Milk Powder products, but we will definitely be looking at this issue in more detail.

“We are keen to work with experts such as Professor Mason and with Government authorities on further vitamin D fortification of foods.”

The study also revealed that people who ate fish had higher levels of vitamin D compared with those who did not; 90% of those with dark skin were deficient by the end of winter; and people who used sunscreen had higher levels than those that don’t.

Micronutrient deficiencies

The four most prominent micronutrient deficiencies worldwide concern iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc.

Ideally, these essential nutrients should be obtained from a normal, varied diet. However, for a number of reasons many people do not consume a healthy balanced diet.

While developing countries are most severely affected, the problem is widespread and micronutrient deficiencies are also significant in certain populations within industrialised countries.

Related pages:
Micronutrient fortification

Nestlé market that produces largest range of halal products celebrates 100 years

CENTENARY CELEBRATION: Nestlé Malaysia produces about 300 halal products which are exported to over 50 countries globally

Nestlé Malaysia, producer of the company’s biggest range of halal products, is celebrating its centenary.

Nestlé consumers worldwide have been able to buy halal versions of the company’s well-known brands such as Milo, Nescafé, Maggi, Kit Kat and Nespray since the 1980s.

Today Nestlé Malaysia produces about 300 halal products in its food and beverage range which are exported to more than 50 countries worldwide.

Halal certified products are sourced, manufactured, imported and distributed in accordance with Islamic law to meet the needs of Muslim consumers.

Hub of expertise

Malaysia was Nestlé’s first market to apply for halal certification for all its food products. This followed the Malaysian government’s introduction of voluntary halal certification in 1994.

Nestlé Malaysia is now the company’s global Halal Centre of Excellence.

This means it offers policy guidelines, know-how and expertise on halal to other Nestlé markets.

Nestlé Malaysia’s Halal Policy outlines information on ingredients, sourcing, production, packaging and transportation of Nestlé halal products.

A Halal Committee which includes senior executives from various areas in the company was established in the 1980s. It has become part of the policy to ensure it addresses matters in relation to halal certification.

Over time the company has become a natural part of society, nourishing generations of Malaysian families. Paul Bulcke, Nestlé’s Chief Executive Officer

Centenary celebrations

Paul Bulcke, Nestlé’s Chief Executive Officer, emphasised the importance of Nestlé Malaysia at a recent event to mark the company’s 100th anniversary.

“Nestlé Malaysia plays an important role to the Nestlé Group,” he said.

“Not only because of the country’s unique location at the heart of the region which allows our business easier access to the South East Asian market.

“But also because of its strategic role as the biggest halal producer and the Halal Centre of Excellence in the Nestlé world,” Mr Bulcke added.

A number of other activities throughout the year will be led by Nestlé Malaysia to mark its centenary.

Nourishing generations

Nestlé started its operations in 1912 as the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company in the Malaysian state of Penang.

It set up its first factory 50 years later in Petaling Jaya, near to the capital of Kuala Lumpur, producing sweetened condensed milk, the beverage brand Milo, and tomato and chilli sauces.

The company now employs more than 5,700 employees in Malaysia. It operates seven factories, all of which are halal certified.

“What began as a small organisation 100 years ago is now a very successful business,” said Mr Bulcke.

“Over time the company has become a natural part of society, nourishing generations of Malaysian families.”

Halal worldwide

Other leading Nestlé markets which produce halal products include Indonesia and the Middle East.

In Europe, Nestlé’s halal products are manufactured mainly in France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Nestlé halal products are also produced in the United States.

A halal inspection authority, such as the Halal Food Council of Europe, inspects the company’s factories with a Nestlé Halal Committee member to ensure products comply with Islamic law before halal certification is awarded.

A total of 85 out of Nestlé’s 456 factories worldwide are halal certified.

Related information:
Nestlé Malaysia

Read more about halal at Nestlé:
Nestlé reaches out to small businesses in Europe
Nestlé expands halal presence during Ramadan

Media enquiries
Tel: +41 21 924 2200
Email: Nestlé Corporate Media Relations

Nestlé marks 20 year partnership with Salzburg Festival by awarding young talent

AWARD WINNER: Nestlé Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe (right) presents 33-year-old Latvian conductor Ainars Rubiķis (left) with his prize cheque of EUR 15,000.

Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival mark two decades of partnership with the presentation of their second annual 'Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor’s Award' today.

The Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor’s Award - which aims to develop the careers of highly gifted young conductors - was created last year by the Company in collaboration with the prestigious Austrian music and drama event.

Presented this year to 33-year-old Ainars Rubiķis from Latvia, the Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor’s Award extends the Company's support of the Salzburg Festival and its focus on encouraging young conducting talent to become part of the event’s unique programme and tradition.

Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman, explained the decision to create the Award.

He said: “An award such as this for a young conductor like Ainars Rubiķis can make an important contribution to his career. In this way, we can help to foster young talent and to honour excellence.”

Recognising exceptional talent

BIRTHPLACE OF MOZART: The city of Salzburg in Austria has a historical classical music tradition.

Ainars Rubiķis was chosen from around 50 other candidates by a nine-member jury to receive the Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor’s Award 2011.

A graduate of the Latvian Academy of Music, he has conducted the Latvian National Opera, the Latvian Radio Choir active, and has performed as part of Austria’s Lockenhauser Chamber Music Festival.

Last year, he made his debut with a number of renowned orchestras including the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra; the Budapest and the Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra; the Gulbenkian Orchestra; the Heidelberg Symphony Orchestra; and the Orchestre du Pays de la Loire.

CUTTING THE CAKE: Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé Chairman (left) and Helga Rabl-Stadler, President of the Salzburg Festival (right) celebrate 20 years of partnership between their organisations.

Open to exceptionally talented young conductors aged between 22 and 35 years, the Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival Young Conductor’s Award includes a prize of EUR 15,000 and the opportunity to conduct a concert with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra in Salzburg’s Felsenreitschule.

In addition to performing a classical-romantic repertoire, candidates must also prove their ability to perform contemporary works of music.

Nestlé and the Salzburg Festival

Established in 1920, the Salzburg Festival is held every summer in Salzburg, Austria - the birthplace of classical music composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Mr Brabeck-Letmathe went on to outline the nature of Nestlé’s long-term partnership with the festival and said: “The decisive criterion for our engagement with the Salzburg Festival has always been its innovative spirit.

“It is an event which combines tradition and innovation, two things which for us, as a global company with a 145 year history, have always been determining factors in our success.”

PRESTIGIOUS EVENT: The Salzburg Festival presents highly talented musicians and performers from around the world.

A sponsor of the Salzburg Festival since 1991, Nestlé has for many years supported youth subscriptions to the event, which offer discounts of up to 90% on operas, plays and concerts for people under the age of 27.

Last year, for the first time in the festival’s history, Nestlé also hosted a discussion forum on the subject of ‘Creativity and Leadership’, examining questions such as ‘How important is leadership?’ and ‘Is creativity a crucial leadership quality for success?’.

Participants included Pascal Lamy, Director General of the World Trade Organisation; Petra Roth, Mayor of Frankfurt am Main; Walter Kielholz, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Swiss Re, and the conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Press Releases
Salzburg Festival Press Release - English (pdf, 246 Kb)
Salzburg Festival Press Release - German (pdf, 168 Kb)

Nestlé supports global dairy industry with new partnership in Morocco

DAIRY PARTNERSHIP: Nestlé seeks to increase its own milk collection in the region by 10% by 2014.

Nestlé is building on its commitment to help support the development of the global dairy industry with a new partnership in Morocco.

The collaboration with the local authorities in the Moroccan region of Doukkala-Abda aims to increase milk production, improve the quality of fresh milk and encourage the development of the dairy industry throughout the private sector.

The Doukkala-Abda region currently produces 22% of the milk in Morocco, sourcing over 340 million litres a year.

Nestlé’s partnership with the Agency for Agricultural Development and the Regional Office of Agriculture seeks to increase the company’s own milk collection in the region by 10% by 2014.

Deepen engagement

Nestlé will invest more than CHF 5.3 million (50 million Moroccan Dirham) over the next three years.

It will help more than 10,000 farmers by providing training and expertise in milk supply, technical equipment, management and finance.

“This partnership will expand our dairy operations in the country,” said David Saudan, Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Morocco.

“Our investment aims to encourage the growth of the dairy sector and help us to continue to deepen our engagement with farmers and their communities,” he added.

Long-term commitment

Nestlé began its operations in the Moroccan dairy sector in 1992.

That year, the company opened a milk factory in the city of El-Jadida to produce powdered milk brand Nido.

Today Nestlé sources about 73 million litres of fresh milk from over 16,000 dairy farmers in the country.

Our investment aims to encourage the growth of the dairy sector and help us to continue to deepen our engagement with farmers and their communities. David Saudan, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé Morocco

Creating Shared Value

Nestlé’s work with farmers in Morocco is part of its approach to business which it calls Creating Shared Value.

The company aims to create value for its shareholders while at the same time creating value for the communities it serves and in which it operates.

Rural development is one of Nestlé’s three key CSV focus areas, as well as nutrition and water.

Worldwide investment

Nestlé’s new partnership in Morocco is the latest in a long-line of investments it has made to support the development of the global dairy industry.

The company invested CHF 127 million in a new milk products factory in Chile and opened a UHT milk factory in Sri Lanka in April.

It also announced the construction of a dairy farming institute in China in January, and joined a dairy partnership in Brazil at the end of last year.

Nestlé named one of the 50 most innovative companies in the world

INNOVATION LEADER: Nescafé Dolce Gusto is just one of Nestlé's pioneering innovations.

Nestlé is named one of the 50 Most Innovative Companies in the Bloomberg BusinessWeek rankings for 2010. The company is ranked number 36, up two places from last year. The assessment is based on a poll of senior executives that was done by the Boston Consulting Group as well as the financial performance of the most-voted companies.

There have been numerous Nestlé innovations over the years. A very short shortlist from the last 5 years would include Nescafé Dolce Gusto, Nestum infant cereals with prebiotics, Purina Overweight Management and Diabetes Management formulas for pets, and Nescafé Green Blend – a blend of “green” and roasted coffee beans, which provides an increased level of antioxidants while delivering an authentic roasted coffee taste.

Related links:
Bloomberg BusinessWeek Special Report

Nestlé and the National Centre for Agronomic Research in Côte d’Ivoire sign an agreement to cooperate in a new cocoa farming initiative

AGREEMENT: From left, Yo Tiemoko, General Director of CNRA (National Centre for Agronomic Research) and Mr Sérigne Diop, General Director of Nestlé R&D Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire at the official ceremony.

On 23rd October 2009 Nestlé signed a framework agreement for technical and scientific collaboration with the Ivorian National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA) on cocoa and coffee growing. The first objective of this collaboration is to accelerate the spread of cocoa varieties in the Côte d'Ivoire, which have been selected by the CNRA.

This collaboration has two main components:

1. The generation of new cocoa trees by accelerated propagation. These trees will be more productive and they will be more tolerant to diseases, such as black pod.

2. On-the-farm cocoa assessment, as well as technical assistance to farmers. This will be done in collaboration with ANADER, the national agency for rural development.

The collaboration will be built around the cocoa varieties selected by the CNRA, and will use Nestlé’s longstanding expertise and know-how in accelerated propagation. This technique allows the production of large numbers of cocoa trees, without any genetic modification of the plants.

The scientific work will be done jointly by Nestlé and CNRA in Nestlé’s R&D Centre in Abidjan with the support of Nestlé’s R&D Centre in Tours, France, which specialises in plant sciences.

Once produced, the seedlings will be transferred to selected farmers in the Côte d'Ivoire. These farmers will receive technical assistance from the National Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA) and ANADER for their implementation and field work.

ABIDJAN NESTLE R&D CENTRE: A Nestlé agronomist works on accelerated propagation in cocoa plantlets that are more productive and tolerant to disease.

In the spirit of Creating Shared Value, Nestlé will provide support to the Ivorian cocoa sector through the production and distribution of very productive and disease tolerant-trees to cocoa farmers.

This activity will benefit farmers who will be able to increase the productivity and profitability of their operations. With better incomes, they will be able to produce more sustainable, better quality cocoa. In return, Nestlé will benefit from a sustainable supply of high quality cocoa, giving consumers the benefits of chocolate made from excellent Ivorian cocoa.

This agreement will rely on Nestlé’s R&D Centre in Abidjan, which was inaugurated on April 29, 2009. R&D Abidjan is building a new laboratory for the production of cocoa trees using the technique of accelerated propagation. From 2012, this laboratory will produce 1 million plants per year.

Nestlé’s Nescafé Plan boosted by new investment in Vietnam

Nestlé invests USD 270 million (over CHF 230 million) in a new coffee factory in Vietnam to reinforce its global Nescafé Plan and commitment to the country.

The factory, to be located in Dong Nai province and fully operational by 2013, will produce products under the Nescafé brand for both local consumption and export.

The Company’s latest investment supports its CHF 350 million Nescafé Plan, launched in August 2010, which brings together Nestlé’s pledge to sustainable coffee farming, production and consumption under one umbrella.

In addition, the factory – set to create 200 new jobs and a number of indirect jobs – will also showcase state-of-the-art process technology and focus on energy and water savings.

Paul Bulcke, Chief Executive Officer for Nestlé, explained the significance of the Company’s latest commitment to Vietnam.

He said: “Today’s investment is fully aligned with the global Nescafé Plan, launched just a year ago, which brings our commitment to support responsible coffee farming, production and consumption together.

“They are a clear demonstration of our commitment to Creating Shared Value, which is Nestlé’s way of doing business. Creating Shared Value is the expression of our conviction that only by creating value for society as a whole can we create long term value for our shareholders.”

Under the Plan, over the next five years in Vietnam, Nestlé aims to significantly increase the amount of Nescafé coffee bought directly from farmers and their associations, looking set to purchase 30,000 tonnes of coffee from around 16,000 farmers every year.

Furthermore, the Company is working together with the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to improve coffee productivity through better farming practices, as well to distribute high-yield, disease-resistant plantlets.

Ultimately, Nestlé aims to engage with 20,000 Vietnamese coffee farmer households within five years.

VIETNAM: Coffee farmer Nguyên Bá Phuoc, left, and a Vietnamese farmer.

The Nescafé Plan

The Plan – as part of Nestlé’s CHF 500 million investment in coffee projects by 2020 – has a set of global objectives which aims to help the Company further optimise its coffee supply chain, including an increase in direct purchasing as well as technical assistance programmes for coffee farmers.

It builds on the CHF 200 million the Company has already invested in the coffee industry over the past decade.

The Nescafé Plan comes on top of Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan, launched in October 2009, a CHF 110 million investment to improve the sustainability of the cocoa industry which includes the distribution of 38 million high-yield disease resistant cocoa plantlets over the next ten years.

Nestlé in Vietnam

Nestlé operates four factories in Vietnam employing more than 1,500 people nationwide.

Nestlé Vietnam offers consumers a variety of products under brands such as Nescafé, La Vie, Milo, Maggi, Lactogen, Nan and Cerelac.

Related links:
Nestlé Vietnam

Nestlé Nespresso opens its 200th worldwide boutique in Shanghai

XUJIAHUI DISTRICT, SHANGHAI: This is the third Nespresso boutique to open in China.

Nestlé Nespresso today officially opens its 200th boutique worldwide in the Chinese city of Shanghai.

FILM: Nestlé Nespresso opens its 200th worldwide boutique in Shanghai (1.28 mins)

Located in the popular Grand Gateway Mall in the shopping area of the Xujiahui district, the Shanghai location joins other new Nespresso boutiques opened this year in the international cities of Miami in the United States, Cape Town in South Africa and a flagship boutique in Brussels, Belgium.

Richard Girardot, CEO of Nestlé Nespresso S.A. spoke to journalists at the opening and said: “Shanghai is China’s gateway to the world and the world’s gateway to China. As the World Expo highlights, this dynamic and cultured metropolis is a great showcase for Nespresso. The opening of our 200th boutique worldwide and our third boutique in China marks a significant milestone in growing our global brand community.”

A few hours before the Shanghai boutique opened, Nestlé S.A. announced strong first six months for Nestlé Nespresso, with organic growth above 25%.

Mr Girardot added: “Nespresso is firmly on track to surpass CHF 3 billion in annual global sales. Our global boutique network generates around 30% of our sales, showing the important role boutiques play in our Company’s continuing growth.”

Despite a changing competitive environment, Nespresso continues its expansion into new markets and continues with double-digit growth rates in its more established markets, such as Switzerland and France.

In addition, in response to growing consumer demand worldwide, the extension has started in the Nespresso Production and Distribution Centre in Avenches in Switzerland as previously planned. It will double capacity by 2012 and bring total investment there to more than CHF 400 million.

With its 4,500-strong worldwide team, Nespresso delivers strong leadership and continuous innovation in the premium portioned coffee sector. Nespresso opened its first boutique in Paris in 2000. A decade later, Nespresso’s steady global expansion will also take it to Melbourne in Australia, New York (Soho) in the United States and a new flagship boutique in Munich in Germany – all scheduled for 2010. Nespresso is on track with its plans to roll out a new customer service model in the second half of this year, starting by renewing the sensory and brand experience in its boutiques.

Related information:
Nespresso
Nespresso Media Center
(1.28 mins)

Nestlé Nutrition Institute hosts two symposia for paediatricians

The Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI) held two satellite symposia at the 44th annual meeting of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN), in Sorrento, Italy in May 2011. The symposia attendees were mainly paediatricians.

The first symposium considered how individualised infant nutrition is key to improving healthy growth and development. The topics included:

The dynamic composition of breast milk
The use of partially hydrolysed proteins to induce oral tolerance
The use of specific probiotics to manage and prevent infections

The second symposium considered the importance of an holistic approach in paediatric nutrition to improve overall health prospects of sick children. The topics included:

The importance of the quantity and quality of protein for improving growth and cognitive function
The role of fat blends in infant nutrition for long term health
The role of probiotics in helping to reduce and prevent atopic dermatitis and antibiotic associated diarrhoea

These symposia help to fulfil the mission of the NNI, which is to partner with health professionals by offering personalized nutrition information, education and networking.
Further details are provided in the two news releases below.

Nestlé Nutrition Institute symposium on early nutrition and health

SPEAKING AT THE SYMPOSIUM: Professor Ferdinand Haschke, Head of Nestlé Nutrition Institute, Professor Flavia Indrio, Professor Andrea von Berg, Professor Frank Rümmele.

Recent research into the impact of early nutrition on short and long-term health was shared at the Nestlé Nutrition Institute Satellite Symposium held at the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPHGAN) in Istanbul, Turkey, in June 2010.

The three topics covered were: the ability of early nutrition to interact and influence genes and unlock new ways to combat mainstream diseases; the role of probiotics in reducing the crying time of infants with colic; and the allergy preventative effect of different milk hydrolysate infant formulas in children at most risk of atopic eczema.

Read the symposia highlights (pdf, 166 Kb)

Nestlé Nutrition Institute workshop focuses on micronutrient deficiencies

FORTIFIED MILK: In Mexico, where many children suffer from nutritional deficiencies, milks are fortified with iron, zinc and vitamin A.

International nutrition experts will meet at a Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI) workshop next week to discuss the latest scientific research into the global burden of micronutrient deficiencies.

The three-day event in the Philippines – which starts on March 27 – will be coordinated by the NNI to examine the impact of low dietary intakes of essential vitamins and minerals on populations’ health and development.

Leading independent scientists and clinicians in the fields of malnutrition and fortification will present studies with a particular focus on child health in developing countries.

Ferdinand Haschke, Chairman of the Nestlé Nutrition Institute, explained the purpose of the workshop.

He said: “The NNI is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to providing a world-class overview of the most critical nutritional issues of the day.

The Nestlé Nutrition Institute is an independent non-profit organisation dedicated to providing a world-class overview of the most critical nutritional issues of the day. Ferdinand Haschke, Chairman of the Nestlé Nutrition Institute

“More than two billion people worldwide – around 30% of the global population – are estimated to have some degree of micronutrient deficiency, which can have devastating effects on health.

“This workshop will look at the extent and nature of the burden of micronutrient deficiencies, why they arise, approaches to address them, and what the public health benefits would be if they could be prevented.”

The workshop in the Philippines is the latest in more than 100 global conferences organised by the NNI over the past 30 years to encourage the exchange of information between scientists and healthcare professionals on nutrition-related topics.

Research presented over the three-day event will be made available in specific formats for different audiences, as part of the Institute’s commitment to promoting the continuous education of healthcare providers.

The findings will be published in full in the Nestlé Nutrition Institute Workshop Book Series, which documents every workshop held by the organisation. A selection of the research will also appear in the NNI’s pediatric journal Annales Nestlé, and its scientific journal The Nest.

In addition, the majority of workshop sessions will be webcast live via the NNI website

The recordings will be available on demand a few months after the event, giving people the opportunity to email questions to the expert speaker and receive a personalised response.

Re-launched last month, the interactive NNI website has more than 100,000 registered users, who can access a vast medical and scientific library, educational materials and e-learning tools.

Currently in English only, the website will be available in five other languages – Spanish, German, Russian, French, Portuguese and Chinese - by the end of 2011.

The NNI is the world’s largest private publisher of nutritional information - much of which is listed in Medline (the US National Library of Medicine's premier bibliographic database) as highly reliable life sciences reference literature.

Micronutrient deficiencies
The four most prominent micronutrient deficiencies worldwide concern iron, vitamin A, iodine and zinc.

Ideally, these essential nutrients should be obtained from a normal, varied diet. However, for a number of reasons many people do not consume a healthy balanced diet.

While developing countries are most severely affected, the problem is widespread, and micronutrient deficiencies are also significant in certain populations within industrialised countries.

Nestlé has more than 140 years’ experience in enhancing the micronutrient profile of food products through fortification. Its first fortified product was an iron-enriched version of Henri Nestlé’s original infant cereal (Farine Lactée), launched in 1867.

Today, the Company has a range of products fortified with micronutrients such as iron and vitamin A, to help improve the nutritional status of consumers around the world.

Related information:
Micronutrient fortification

Nestlé Nutrition study reveals children are developing unhealthy eating habits earlier

ESTABLISHING GOOD HABITS: Eating patterns and preferences are formed in the early years of life.

American children as young as 12 months are developing unhealthy dietary patterns which may lead to obesity in later life, according to a study by Nestlé Nutrition.

The findings were presented at The Obesity Society’s annual scientific meeting in Orlando in the United States.

The research found that toddlers from the age of 12 months and up consumed one third of their daily calories from snacking between meals.

“We’re seeing poor eating habits starting early in life, and they mirror those of older children and adults,” said Dr Kathleen Reidy, Global Head of Nutrition Science, Baby Food, at Nestlé Nutrition.

“It’s important to establish the foundation for healthy diets early in life when eating habits and preferences are being formed.”

In the United States, 10% of young children aged between two and five are categorised as obese.

The study found that parents and guardians need better nutrition guidance to help young children develop healthy eating habits from 12 months upwards.

It is much easier to establish good habits when children are young rather than try to correct poor habits later. Dr Kathleen Reidy, Global Head of Nutrition Science, Baby Food, at Nestlé Nutrition

It showed that simple dietary changes can make significant improvements in the quality of children’s diets.

For example, parents should consider snacks as ‘mini-meals’ and offer healthy options such as fruits, vegetables, low fat yoghurt, and whole grain foods.

“It is much easier to establish good habits when children are young rather than try to correct poor habits later,” Dr Reidy continued.

“Parents need consistent messages about how to feed young children in a healthy way.

“If we can help educate parents on the impact that relatively simple dietary changes can have, we may be able to help prevent obesity and chronic disease in future generations.”

Largest ever study

The Nestlé Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study began in 2002.

More than 3,200 children are included in the survey. This makes it the largest, most comprehensive study of the diets and eating habits of infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers in the United States.

It was expanded in 2008 to find out whether the eating habits of young children in America had changed since 2002.

It has looked at the evolution of children’s diets from birth through to preschool, including sources of calories, key nutrients and snacking patterns.

The study was conducted by Mathematica Policy Research, a research organisation.

Related information:
Nestlé Nutrition website

More nutrition stories:
Nestlé Nutrition Institute workshop focuses on micronutrient deficiencies
Nestlé partners with King’s College London on food and gene research
Nestlé researchers explore the cognitive and mood benefits of decaffeinated coffee

Nestlé Nutritional Compass points consumers in healthy direction

INFORMING CONSUMERS: Nutrition is about taste, pleasure and balance

Nestlé has enhanced its Nutritional Compass product labelling system to help consumers make more informed choices about a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.

The Nutritional Compass, found on 97% of Nestlé products worldwide, is comprised of four information boxes that form a circle with the Company’s corporate brand logo at its centre.

Launched in 2005, the Nutritional Compass is designed to be a clear, transparent labelling guide that goes beyond simply listing figures to help consumers choose not only a healthier, but also a tastier product.

Communicating Nestlé’s belief that all foods and beverages can be enjoyable and can play an important role in a balanced and healthy diet and lifestyle, it helps to promote responsible nutrition, moderation and variety in food habits.

It has now been updated to include specific questions that are likely to be foremost in people’s minds when consuming a particular Nestlé food or beverage.

Sanjay Sehgal, Head of Nestlé’s Corporate Wellness Unit, explained how the Company uses the Nutritional Compass to communicate its philosophy that nutrition is about taste, pleasure and balance.

He said: “We know that people are often confused by the sheer number and variety of different labeling systems, endorsements, and quality seals they are faced with when choosing products.

“The Nutritional Compass stands out from the rest by encouraging and empowering consumers to make tastier and healthier choices in a friendly language that they can understand.

“It is a consistent, recognisable space on our product packs which we have dedicated
to answering consumers’ nutrition and health queries in a meaningful and informative
manner, enabling people to integrate them into their diets in a balanced way.”

Subtle changes

While the design of the enhanced Nutritional Compass remains the same, Nestlé has introduced subtle changes to make it more helpful and relevant to consumers.

A new ‘Good Question’ box - featuring product specific queries such as “How many cups of coffee can I have in one day?” - has now been added to speak on the consumer’s behalf.

This question is then answered by an existing ‘Good to Know’ box, where the Nestlé brand provides a direct, informative response, such as “Three to five cups of Nescafé coffee fit well into a balanced lifestyle”.

A subsequent ‘Good to Remember’ box - which offers supporting information based on Nestlé’s expertise in areas such as nutrition, health, science, quality and safety - has been merged with a ‘Good to Talk’ box, which provides contact details for the relevant brand consumer services teams.

Finally, a Nutritional Information box clearly states the amount of specific nutrients the product contains, such as protein, carbohydrate, fat and sugar.

Commitment to consumers

Mr Sehgal explained why the changes had been made and continued: “The Nutritional Compass is one of our most valuable tools for communicating with consumers.

“Every day, millions of people around the world hold the Nutritional Compass in their hands when they buy a Nestlé product.

“It is a visible expression of our commitment to consumers’ nutrition, health and
wellness and we wanted to make it even clearer and easier for them to understand.”

With Nestlé’s research revealing that 60% of consumers find the Nutritional Compass more helpful than other comparable product information systems, the Company is exploring other ways to develop its potential.

Mr Sehgal described how Nestlé is doing this and added: “We want to extend the Nutritional Compass beyond product packaging, to make it come alive in different contexts.

“It is a friendly, straightforward guide to better nutrition and health, which we hope even more people will be able to access in the future; from web and mobile technology through to in-store promotions, posters, booklets, leaflets.”

NUTRITION ON-THE-GO: Provides busy consumers with rapid access to nutrition, health and wellness information.

Bringing the Nutritional Compass to life

In Poland, Nestlé recently partnered with two major retailers to create an in-store Nutritional Compass campaign, offering consumers nutrition education and customised nutrition advice.

Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the Company has commissioned recipe books which use the Nutritional Compass to convey helpful nutritional facts.

Furthermore, in India, Nestlé has adapted the Nutritional Compass for use on mobile phone platforms to provide busy consumers with rapid access to nutrition, health and wellness information.

The mobile application, which is free to download, offers easy-to-prepare healthy recipes, recipes of the day, a shopping list function, and options to share recipes and healthy eating tips with family and friends.

Earlier successful consumer communication campaigns which built on the Nutritional Compass include ‘Check the Label’ by Nestlé Philippines.

Launched in 2009 and endorsed by the Filipino government, it highlighted the Nutritional Compass in television advertisements to encourage more consumers to read product labels, in order to help them select those most beneficial to their health.

Nestlé officially opens Shared Service Centre in Ukraine

OPENING CEREMONY: Laurent Freixe, above, Executive Vice President of Nestlé and Head of Zone Europe, addresses the guests at the opening ceremony of the Shared Business Service Centre in L’viv, Ukraine.

Nestlé today officially opened its Shared Business Service Centre in L’viv, Ukraine.

The centre will provide standard and cost-effective internal financial and employee services to Nestlé operating companies in more than 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

As the fifth centre of its kind set up by Nestlé since 2006, Ukraine joins Brazil, the Philippines, Ghana, and a satellite centre in Egypt, in providing a single location from which to complete specific activities such as employee payroll and invoicing.

Laurent Freixe, Executive Vice President of Nestlé and Head of Zone Europe, attended the inauguration ceremony in L’viv along with Jean-Marc Duvoisin, Deputy Executive Vice President of Nestlé and Head of Human Resources and Centre Administration; and Stéphane Alby, Head of Global Nestlé Business Services.

Others in attendance were Alfredo Silva, Head of Human Resources for Nestlé Zone Europe; Simon Smith, Head of Finance for Nestlé Zone Europe; and Maurizio Patarnello, Market Head of Nestlé in Ukraine and Moldova.

Mykhailo Tsymbalyuk, Governor of the L’viv region; and Andriy Sadovyi, the city’s Mayor, were also present.

Mr Freixe reiterated why L’viv had been selected as the location for the centre.

He said: “L'viv was chosen for its location due to its local infrastructures, the talent potential, real estate and office space availability and the cost competitiveness. In addition, the city is linked to the history of Nestlé in Ukraine as it is also home to Nestlé’s Svitoch company.”

“With the opening of the Shared Business Service Centre, we have also significantly strengthened Nestlé’s position in Ukraine and the role of the Ukraine in Central and Eastern Europe.”

Already fully serving Nestlé in the Ukraine and Russia, the L’viv centre will soon support its operating companies in Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

By 2012 it will also support Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and the Adriatic markets, which include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Slovenia.

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY: From left; Andriy Sadovyi, L'viv City Mayor, Mykhailo Tsymbalyuk, Head of L'viv State Oblast Administration and Laurent Freixe, Executive Vice President of Nestlé and Head of Zone Europe.

The centre, whose creation was originally announced in September 2010, already employs 180 highly skilled experts in the field of Finance and Human Resources, with its total staff expected to reach 230 in the coming months.

It promises to boost the local talent pool by providing professional training in technology and management skills, as well as working with local universities to develop training programmes in foreign languages and international finance.

Nestlé Ukraine press release:
Official inauguration of Nestlé Business Service Centre Europe in Lviv

Related articles:
February 4, 2011:
Nestlé opens first Shared Service Centre in Africa

September 9, 2010:
Nestlé reaffirms emerging markets commitment with new service centre in Ukraine

Sharing is winning: Nestlé open innovation model for creating new business

In Food Technology’s March cover story, Helmut Traitler, Head of Innovation Partnerships, and Sam Saguy, Visiting Professor from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, give an elucidating account of Nestlé’s open innovation model. At the heart of Nestlé open innovation model is a “Sharing is Winning” mindset.

Nestlé’s strategy of open innovation
Throughout its 140 year history, Nestlé’s impressive internal R&D capability has been driving most of the company’s innovations. Nestlé’s internal network of 27 research, technology and development centres world-wide had a record spending of 2billion CHF in 2008.

More and more, however, the fast pace of scientific discovery combined with its increasing complexity, makes it impossible for any one company to have all the answers in-house. Partnerships bring many advantages. By exploring beyond the company’s traditional boundaries, partnerships can provide access to state-of-the-art knowledge, help to create innovative ideas and know-how, and they facilitate shared risk-taking. Nestlé’s external network comprises universities, venture capital, key suppliers and government bodies.

The open process
The co-creation process is not easy. The whole process requires leadership, trust building, goodwill creation, sharing and agreements - all are integral components of Nestlé’s open innovation model.

One example of how new ideas can be generated is IdeaStore™, a novel creative-problem-solving tool created by Helmut Traitler. IdeaStore™ brings together people from diverse disciplines in order to brainstorm and prioritise ideas – and identify one or two with the potential for commercial success.

Open vision and culture
Visionary leadership and an open mindset are essential. Open innovation can only be successful in a culture that welcomes new ideas, calculated risk taking, new competencies, and new ways of thinking about collaborations with external partners.

Consumer benefits
Coming up with new ideas that can be executed successfully requires a consumer-centric approach. In this way consumers not only benefit, but they also welcome innovation.

“True innovation is actually generated in a spirit of deep understanding of people’s needs, dreams, desires and hopes”.
Helmut Traitler, VP, Head of Innovation Partnerships, Nestec Ltd.

..................................................

Full paper: Creating Successful Innovation Partnerships (pdf, 383 Kb)
PDF kindly provided by Food Technology Magazine
For more information on Nestlé’s Open Innovation model listen to this BusinessWeek podcast

Nestlé opens CHF 45 million Purina factory extension in Hungary

ADVANCING PET NUTRITION: The Nestlé Purina PetCare factory in Hungary will extend production of popular pet food brands.

Nestlé today opened a new pet food factory extension in Hungary producing Purina brands such as Felix, Friskies and Gourmet.

With an investment of over CHF 45 million (HUF 10 billion), the 10,000 sq.-metre factory extension – equipped with four new production lines and new pouch-packaging technology – now forms part of the manufacturing factory site in the Hungarian town of Bük.

The Company’s latest investment has reaffirmed its presence in Europe and looks set to enhance its drive to meet the growing demand for Purina PetCare brands in Central and Eastern Europe.

The investment has also created more than 200 additional jobs, boosting the number of employees to 600 people.

Laurent Freixe, Nestlé Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Europe, was joined by Marco Settembri, Chief Executive Officer for Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe, and Dr Tibor Navracsics, Deputy Prime Minister of Hungary, to officially inaugurate the factory extension.

Mr Freixe emphasised Nestlé’s vision for the region and said: "We have been operating in Hungary for more than 20 years. The Central and Eastern Europe region is a very important part of our business and this investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to business sustainability and economic development in this region.”

INVESTING IN HUNGARY: The factory extension has created more than 200 additional jobs.

He also stressed the importance of Hungary’s solid infrastructure and favourable geographical location and added: “The decision to invest in Hungary was also facilitated by the country’s economic role in the region as well as its geographically advantageous location.”

Mr Settembri continued: “It is a very important day for the history of the PetCare business in Central and Eastern Europe. The expansion of our factory in Bük is a key asset to strengthen our position in this region.”

Dr Navracsics went on to explain why Nestlé’s investment in the country is vital and said: “Any new investment creating jobs justifies the optimistic economic forecasts for Hungary. Today's factory extension opening also signals that foreign investors have trust in Hungary and are confident about the strength of our economy.”

POUCH PACKAGING: New technology to package pet food in pouches (such as the one shown above) will now be employed at the factory.

Nestlé Purina PetCare has been a leader in the scientific advancement of pet care and pet nutrition for over 80 years. Its product range is designed to give pets and their owners the best possible choice of recipes and formats, for every life stage and lifestyle.

As a committed member of the wider pet care community, Nestlé Purina PetCare works closely with the communities in which it works and operates, while promoting responsible pet ownership worldwide.

Nestlé Purina PetCare Europe

Under the Nestlé Purina PetCare umbrella, other brands offered include Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan, Purina Veterinary Diets, Cat Chow, Dog Chow, Darling, Beneful, and Pro Care Tidy Cats.

In Europe, Nestlé Purina PetCare is present in 35 countries, operates 14 factories and employs around 5,300 people.

Nestlé in Hungary

Nestlé began manufacturing products in Hungary in 1974, where it now operates four factories and employs around 1,650 people.

In addition to producing pet food in Bük, a factory in Diósgyőr manufactures chocolate brands including After Eight and Kit Kat.

The Company also produces powdered beverages including Nescafé and Nesquik for European markets in the Hungarian town of Szerencs. Furthermore, its bottled mineral and spring water brands Nestlé Aquarel and Theodora are manufactured in the village of Kékkút.

Nestlé opens new CHF 87 million factory in Nigeria

FLOWERGATE FACTORY: Dedicated to the production of Maggi products, the new state-of-the-art plant will offer direct employment to 180 people.

Nestlé today opened a new state-of-the-art factory in Nigeria reinforcing its commitment to Africa.

With an investment of CHF 87 million (NGN 12 billion), the Flowergate factory in Nigeria’s Ogun state will be firstly dedicated to the production of Maggi products, and more particularly in Popularly Positioned Products (PPP) varieties of the brand.

Nestlé’s PPPs are adapted to meet the specific needs of emerging consumers in terms of price, accessibility, format and nutritional benefits, which are important for the future growth of Nestlé’s operations in Nigeria.

At the official opening ceremony, Nestlé Chief Executive Officer Paul Bulcke was joined by Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo, GCON; Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Governor of Ogun State; and Frits Van Dijk, Executive Vice President for Nestlé and Zone Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East.

Mr Bulcke explained the factory’s significance and said: “Nestlé has been operationally present in Nigeria for 50 years, bringing meaningful value to society at large by sourcing locally, creating new local employment, offering nutritious products and helping in the further development of the region.

“By opening our new facility in Ogun State we will be closer to our consumers and can better adapt our products to their needs and preferences. This latest investment is proof of our commitment to Africa in which we will invest CHF 1 billion over the next two years.”

MARKET STALL IN NIGERIA: Nestlé products are sold in all 53 countries in the African continent.

With this new 12-hectare factory, Nestlé will double its production of culinary products in Nigeria and meet the growing need for Maggi products, plus other countries in the Central and West African Region.

As Nestlé’s 27th factory in Africa, it will offer jobs to 180 people and indirect jobs to hundreds more.

In addition, the factory also has potential for the production of other Nestlé products in the next phase of future expansion.

Etienne Benet, Head of Nestlé Central & West Africa Region; Martin Woolnough, Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria; and Dr Andreas Baum, Ambassador of Switzerland in Nigeria; also attended the event.

Mr Woolnough emphasised the factory’s effect on the region and added: “Today is a major milestone in the history of Nestlé in Nigeria and we are proud to see that our operations in Nigeria are not only measurable in length of time, but more importantly, also by our positive impact on our stakeholders and our positive visible impact on the Nigerian industrial landscape.”

Facilities under Nestlé Nigeria also include the Agbara Manufacturing Complex and the Otta distribution centre. Employing around 3,300 people, Nestlé in Nigeria offers brands such as Milo, Nido, Pure Life, Nescafé and Cerelac.

Nestlé Nigeria comes under the Nestlé Central and West Africa Region which includes eight factories and employs around 5,500 people.

Press release, speeches, fact sheets and images in Events.

Nestlé opens first Shared Service Centre in Africa

OPENING CEREMONY: Paul Bulcke (Nestlé CEO) shakes hands with Hanna Tetteh (the minister of Industry and Trade for Ghana).

Nestlé today strengthened its presence in Africa with the official opening of its first Shared Service Centre on the continent.

Nestlé Business Services Africa, based in Accra, Ghana, is the fourth international centre Nestlé has set up to provide financial and human resources services to its operating companies globally.

Nestlé Chief Executive Officer Paul Bulcke led the opening ceremony with the Honourable Hanna Tetteh, Ghana’s Minister of Trade and Industry.

Nestlé Business Services Africa will follow the successful model of Shared Service Centres in Brazil, the Philippines and Ukraine.

It will support Nestlé in more than 40 African countries by completing activities such as employee payroll and invoice payments from one central location.

The centre is expected to employ 150 people by 2012. Nestlé hopes to attract young local graduates for such jobs in partnership with local universities. They will have the opportunity to work and develop their skills in an international environment.

This is the second significant investment Nestlé has recently made in Ghana, which is home to the company’s Central and West Africa regional office.

In September 2010, Nestlé announced it would invest CHF 36.2 million to double infant cereal production at its new factory in Tema.

Nestlé Shared Service Centres

Nestlé’s Shared Service Centres are international units that run Financial and HR services in a standard and cost-effective way.

In September 2010, Nestlé invested CHF 25 million over three years in a new centre in L’viv, Ukraine to support more than 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe.

Nestlé’s Shared Service Centre in Brazil employs around 400 people to support 21 Latin American countries in financial and employee services.

While at the Philippines centre, 550 people support countries from Australia to Vietnam.

Related information:
L'viv Centre