London: A new report reveals that the world’s largest food and beverage companies are selling less healthy products in low-income countries compared to high-income nations. The findings, published by the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI), mark the first update since 2021, and provide a stark comparison of products sold by companies like Nestlé, PepsiCo, and Unilever.
The ATNI, a non-profit group, evaluated 30 major food companies’ offerings based on a global index. The analysis revealed that products sold in low-income countries received lower scores on the Health Star Rating system, a measure of healthiness developed in Australia and New Zealand. The system rates products on a scale of 0 to 5 stars, with a score above 3.5 considered healthier.
The results showed that in low-income countries, the portfolios of these multinational companies had an average rating of 1.8 stars, compared to 2.3 stars in high-income countries, where a broader range of products was tested.
Mark Wijne, research director at ATNI, told Reuters, “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.” He added, “It’s a wake-up call for governments in these countries to be vigilant.”
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This marks the first time the ATNI index has separated its findings into low and high-income countries, highlighting the growing disparity in the products available to consumers based on their country’s economic status.
A spokesperson for PepsiCo declined to comment on the findings. However, the company had previously set goals to reduce sodium in its potato chips and introduce healthier ingredients, like whole grains, into its products.
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Danone, which emerged as the highest-performing company in the index, acknowledged the need for continued improvements. Isabelle Esser, chief research, quality, and food safety officer at Danone, said, “We acknowledge that there is always more to do, both at a business and industry level.”
