Nestle wants India to consult food companies on health warning labels

Nestle has urged India to consult food companies while framing rules for front-of-pack health warning labels, saying any such system should be based on scientific evidence and help consumers make informed choices.

Nestle CEO Philipp Navratil told Economic Times newspaper that the company supports greater transparency in food labelling, including front-of-pack disclosures for products high in sugar, salt and fat. However, he said manufacturers should be given an opportunity to contribute their scientific views and experience from other markets.

“If we are asked to, we are happy to collaborate and give our scientific point of view and share our learnings from other countries,” Navratil said.

His comments come amid a renewed debate over front-of-pack warning labels in India. The government has been considering such labels for years, but dropped a proposal after major food and beverage companies and industry groups opposed the measures in March.

Nestle backs transparency, seeks industry input

Navratil said Nestle would welcome front-of-pack labelling if India introduces it, but stressed that it should be designed properly.

“Even if it’s not regulated we welcome transparency,” he said, adding that consumers should be able to understand the ingredients in the products they buy.

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He argued that nutritional information should be presented in a way that reflects how consumers actually eat food.

“For instance, it has to be done by portion and not by grammage because consumers eat portions, not grams of products,” Navratil said.

Nestle India already voluntarily provides Recommended Dietary Allowance information on the front of its packs, he added.

The comments come after the Supreme Court, while hearing pleas by health activists, criticised delays in introducing front-facing warning labels and called for their implementation.

Industry faces growing scrutiny

The push for clearer food labels comes amid growing scrutiny of packaged food and beverages in India.

Industry estimates suggest nearly 80 per cent of products in India’s more than $100 billion packaged food and beverages market could be regarded as high in fat, sugar and salt.

The issue has generated anger among consumers on social media, with some questioning differences in the nutritional composition of products sold in India and overseas.

For instance, a similarly sized can of Fanta sold in London contains 63 calories, while the Indian version contains 185 calories and about three times as much sugar, according to the Reuters report.

India becomes key growth market for Nestle

The debate comes as India becomes increasingly important to Nestle’s global business.

Navratil said India was Nestle’s highest-performing market in terms of growth in the first half of calendar 2026.

India is currently among the company’s top 10 markets and could move into its top five markets in the coming years, he said.

“Emerging markets have been driving growth for Nestle across the board and India is leading the pack,” Navratil said.

Nestle’s Indian portfolio includes brands such as Maggi, KitKat, Munch, Nescafe and Purina.

The company sees significant long-term growth potential in India because of rising urbanisation, an expanding middle class and greater access to both premium and value-focused products.

Nestle plans further India investments

Nestle plans to invest in India across manufacturing, research and development, talent and business services as it seeks to expand its presence in the market.

Navratil said the company would continue to focus on volume-led growth by reaching more consumers and households, while also looking for opportunities to premiumise its portfolio.

Around 90 per cent of the raw materials Nestle uses to make its products in India are sourced domestically. Nestle India also exports products to around 28 markets.

Navratil described India as the company’s “largest priority” and said the country had become an example of real internal growth, or growth driven by selling more products to more consumers rather than relying primarily on price increases.

(With inputs from agencies.)