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Nestlé launches global initiative to help children lead healthier lives

“Nestlé for Healthier Kids” to help 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030
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On the United Nations International Day of Families, Nestlé announced its global “Nestlé for Healthier Kids” initiative. The program includes the further development of healthier products and advice for families on nutrition and exercise. It aims at helping 50 million children lead healthier lives by 2030.     

Since its foundation, Nestlé has been committed to helping parents and caregivers provide the right nutrition to their children. With this new initiative Nestlé is accelerating the transformation of its food and beverage portfolio worldwide. In 2017 alone, the company launched more than 1000 new products to meet the nutritional needs of children. In the same year, it provided 174 billion servings of fortified foods and beverages in 66 countries where people lack essential micronutrients such as iron, iodine and vitamin A.    

Mark Schneider, Nestlé CEO, said: “Childhood is a time where life-long habits are formed. We want to help parents make healthier choices for their children. This is why we are accelerating our efforts to support families in raising healthier kids and we call on others to join us in this endeavor.”     

Nestlé already reformulates around one third of its product portfolio every year. It will use its industry-leading innovation capability to further enhance foods and beverages for children with even more fruits, vegetables, fiber-rich grains and micronutrients. Nestlé will also continue to reduce sugars, salt and saturated fats. Some recent product launches include Gerber Grabbers Strong Veggies vegetable and fruit purees, Nido organic milk powder and Nesquik Alphabet whole grain breakfast cereals with reduced sugar.

The Anglo Dutch Caribbean Region (ADCR) has been no exception. Nestlé has reformulated all of the products with added sugar which it manufactures in Trinidad and Tobago to meet international guidelines.

  • Nestle has already renovated the entire range of its popular ORCHARD® juice drinks, reducing sugar content by 33-50% to meet new, healthier standards.
  • Nestle has also renovated all of its flavoured milks. Compared to previous recipes:
    Nestlé® Choc Nut has 47% less added sugar
    Nestlé® Peanut Punch has 53% less added sugar
    Nestlé® Eggnog has 44% less added sugar

Over the past decades, Nestlé has improved nutrition across its product range. Driven by its purpose to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future, Nestlé has pledged to accelerate this work. By 2020 the company will:

  • Add at least 750 million portions (80g) of vegetables to its products;
  • Add at least 300 million portions (16g) of fiber-rich grains, pulses, nuts & seeds to its products;    
  • Reduce added sugars by 5%. Since 2000, the company has reduced sugars by over 34%;  
  • Reduce salt by 10%. Since 2005, the company has reduced salt by over 17200 tons;  
  • Complete the commitment taken in 2014, to reduce saturated fats by 10% in all relevant products that do not meet WHO recommendations.

Nestlé will also enhance programs and online services designed to provide parents and caregivers with more nutritional knowledge, healthy recipes and practical tips. In 2017, over 300 partnerships worldwide have helped us reach more than 14 million children.

In the Anglo Dutch Caribbean Region, these include:

The Healthy Kids Programme
Nestlé ADCR’s Healthy Kids Programme epitomises our commitment to nutrition, health and wellness. Launched in 2011 in Trinidad and Tobago and endorsed in Jamaica by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, this three to six year primary school programme teaches children how to live a healthy lifestyle through a combination of nutrition education and regular physical activity. In 2017, the program was executed in 23 schools in Trinidad and Jamaica, and will be executed in 28 schools in 2018

Wellness on Wheels (#WOW)
Our Wellness on Wheels Caravan embodies our commitment to helping people make healthy choices for a happy life. This special mobile unit is on the road all year-round throughout Trinidad and Tobago and offers a variety of helpful services and useful information to help you take control of your health. This year, the caravan will be visiting 14 schools in Trinidad and 1 school in Tobago, teaching and showing kids how to plan a healthy plate (portion guidance), the Caribbean’s 6 food groups, reinforcing the importance of physical activity and packing a healthy lunch kit. In Jamaica, the Wellness Mobile Unit will be visiting 13 schools with the se nutrition and physical activity messages.

Nestlé Summer Camp and Nestlé Schools Wellness Fiesta
In Jamaica, the Nestlé Schools Wellness Fiesta, launched in 2010 has been a day of fun activities where thousands of school aged children along with their teachers and the wider public learn about the importance of nutrition, health and wellness as a part of a healthy lifestyle. In Trinidad and Tobago, Nestlé’s Summer Camp has been a highlight of school vacation for kids between the ages of 6-12. Over the last 20 years, thousands of children have come out to enjoy themselves for these one-day outings at Nestlé’ where they learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

For more information on what Nestlé is doing for healthier kids:  https://www.nestle.com/healthierkids
For more information on Nestlé commitments: Nestlé in Society