Dive Brief:
- Nestle SA reported that its Nesquik flavored milk powder and ready-to-drink products will have less added sugar and no artificial colors or flavors. The new products are expected to launch this month.
- The new Nesquik powders will contain 10.6 grams of sugar per two tablespoons. This cuts the added sugar in the chocolate variety by 15% and in the strawberry flavor by 27%.
- The Nesquik ready-to-drink products will also have 10.6 grams of added sugar per 8-ounce serving, but because lactose is a naturally occurring sugar, it brings the total amount of sugar in each serving to 22 grams.
Dive Insight:
This is the latest in a stream of moves that Nestle has taken to make its products healthier, including announcing the removal of artificial colors and flavors by the end of the year. But are these product alterations enough?
Unfortunately for Nestle and several other major food companies making similar changes, many consumer health advocates are not convinced. Michael Jacobson, executive director at the consumer advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, said, regarding the Nestle announcement, "It's a nice step in the right direction, but it's not a huge victory for nutrition," Reuters reported.