> Mexico has implemented black STOP-style signs on unhealthy foods to combat the country’s rampant obesity trend. However, the project was met with fierce resistance from multinational companies and their host states. At the forefront: Nestlé and Switzerland. Documents and e-mail exchanges show how willingly the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs jumped in to defend the food giant’s commercial interests against Mexico’s health policy. According to exclusive market data obtained by Public Eye, the business at stake for Nestlé was worth more than one billion Swiss francs. The research also shows that Switzerland’s intervention in Mexico is far from being an isolated case.
It’s a long read but worth it.
Also has a good example on how the “Nutri-Score” label in Switzerland is kind of a joke. Nesquik, a product made up of 75% sugar gets a light-green “B” because:
> This is due to the way in which the Nutri-Score is calculated: (1) the rating takes into account both negative and positive nutritional properties; (2) not the product itself is assessed but the preparation (in this case: powder + milk); and (3) the rating is based on a specific recipe defined by Nestlé itself, in this case a combination of very little Nesquik powder with a lot of semi skimmed milk, whose favourable nutritional values raise the rating into the green range.
SRF also had an article on this yesterday. I don’t fully get the issue, obviously Switzerland uses political measures to help big Swiss companies.
Very interesting and detailed article. Thanks for sharing.
9 comments
> Mexico has implemented black STOP-style signs on unhealthy foods to combat the country’s rampant obesity trend. However, the project was met with fierce resistance from multinational companies and their host states. At the forefront: Nestlé and Switzerland. Documents and e-mail exchanges show how willingly the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs jumped in to defend the food giant’s commercial interests against Mexico’s health policy. According to exclusive market data obtained by Public Eye, the business at stake for Nestlé was worth more than one billion Swiss francs. The research also shows that Switzerland’s intervention in Mexico is far from being an isolated case.
It’s a long read but worth it.
Also has a good example on how the “Nutri-Score” label in Switzerland is kind of a joke. Nesquik, a product made up of 75% sugar gets a light-green “B” because:
> This is due to the way in which the Nutri-Score is calculated: (1) the rating takes into account both negative and positive nutritional properties; (2) not the product itself is assessed but the preparation (in this case: powder + milk); and (3) the rating is based on a specific recipe defined by Nestlé itself, in this case a combination of very little Nesquik powder with a lot of semi skimmed milk, whose favourable nutritional values raise the rating into the green range.
SRF also had an article on this yesterday. I don’t fully get the issue, obviously Switzerland uses political measures to help big Swiss companies.
Very interesting and detailed article. Thanks for sharing.
In case someone wants to help not feeding Nestlé:
https://www.nestle.com/aboutus/overview/ourbrands
I sense this topic will disappear “magically” in 3..2..1..
Upvoting and commenting to bump this up. Thanks for sharing.
Mexico has a huge obesity problem and this behaviour by the Swiss government and Nestle is truly disgusting.
Very good article thank you. Capitalism! HOOHAAA
Why are the Swiss government so complicit with Nestlé being evil jackasses.
Nice detailed story. Thank you. I avoid Nestle products at all cost.