Nestle UK Announces Major Labelling Initiative

Packs with the new labelling will be on shelf in the UK as early as April of this year.

Nestle is to completely overhaul the packaging on its products in the UK to help guide consumers in their understanding of nutritional content and provide them with more, easy to understand information on associated product benefits. The company is to start the roll out of its new labelling initiative immediately. Packs with the new labelling will be on shelf in the UK as early as April of this year.

This major initiative will be rolled out across the product portfolio in the UK, which includes pasta, coffee, confectionery, yogurts and cereals, and will include major brands like KitKat, Shredded Wheat, Fitnesse, Ski and Carnation.

"Consumers have told us that they care about their health and that they want clearer, easy to understand information about the content and, where appropriate the nutritional benefits, of our products. The changes we are making will meet those needs," said Alastair Sykes, chairman and CEO of Nestle UK.

The new labelling will include: on front of pack: calories per serve, important for overall weight management and diet; on back of pack/side of pack: GDAs [guideline daily amounts] of Calories and fat per serving, as recommended by the Institute of Grocery Distribution; nutritional information per serving and per 100g; facts relating to specific ingredients contained within the product and their nutritional benefits; how a serving of the product can play its part in a balanced diet, where relevant.

"This innovative labelling initiative will be rolled out across the whole of the UK product portfolio to help guide and encourage consumers in making healthier choices every day”, Alastair Sykes explains.

“Our long-term focus is on improving the nutritional qualities of our existing products and on launching new great tasting, healthier products that people can easily integrate into their diets. At the same time, we want to ensure that our consumers have all the information they need in a clear and concise format. Our product reformulation programmes and our labelling changes will go a long way towards that goal”, Sykes said.

Nestle UK has also accelerated its product reformulation programme by extending its salt, sugar and fat reduction programmes across its product portfolio. This has included the removal of TFAs from confectionery and cereal products, salt and sugar reduction in cereals and salt reduction in soups and sauces.

Nestle write that shifting consumer interests mean a greater demand for healthier food that tastes good. The company recently launched a number of new products to meet those needs including Sveltesse, a reduced fat line of yogurts and cereal bars, Half Caff Nescafe and Maggi – A Natural Choice, a specialist range of culinary aids which help deliver tastier and healthier results to chefs.