Food companies sell products that are less healthy in poorer countries, says report

The world’s biggest food and beverage companies, on average, sell products in low-income countries that are less healthy than what they sell in high-income countries, according to a new report.

Products sold by companies including Nestle, Pepsico and Unilever were assessed as part of a global index published by the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI), its first since 2021.

The non-profit group found that across 30 companies, the products sold in low-income countries scored lower on a star rating system developed in Australia and New Zealand than those sold in high-income countries.

In the Health Star Rating system, products are ranked out of 5 on their healthiness, with 5 being the best, and a score above 3.5 being considered a healthier choice.

In low-income countries, the multinationals’ portfolios rated 1.8 on the system. In high-income countries, where more products were tested, they were 2.3.

“It’s a very clear picture that what these companies are selling in the poorest countries in the world, where they are more and more active, are not their healthier products,” said Mark Wijne, research director at ATNI, in an interview with Reuters.

“It’s a wake-up call for governments in these countries to be vigilant,” he added.

It is the first time the index has split the assessment into low and high-income countries.

Obesity crisis 

ATNI said the index was important as packaged foods increasingly play a part in the obesity crisis, which is now a global phenomenon. More than one billion people worldwide are living with obesity, according to the World Health Organization. The World Bank estimates that 70% of people who are overweight or obese live in low-and-middle-income countries.

"We have committed to growing our sales of more nutritious foods, as well as guiding people towards more balanced diets," a Nestle spokesperson said by email, adding that Nestle also fortifies products to help close nutrient gaps in developing countries.

A PepsiCo spokesperson declined to comment. Last year, the company set new goals to lower the sodium content of its potato chips and add ingredients like whole grains into its foods.

"We acknowledge that there is always more to do, both at a business and industry level," said Isabelle Esser, chief research, quality, and food safety officer at Danone, which was the best performer in the index.