Food companies sell products that are less healthy in poorer countries, says report

A new report by the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) reveals that major food and beverage companies, including Nestle, PepsiCo, and Unilever, offer less healthy products in low-income countries compared to those in high-income nations.

Analyzing 30 companies, ATNI found that products in low-income countries scored an average of 1.8 on the Health Star Rating (out of 5), while those in high-income countries scored 2.3.

This disparity highlights a trend where companies are increasing sales of unhealthy, packaged foods in lower-income areas, contributing to rising obesity rates.

Over 70% of people affected by obesity live in low- and middle-income nations, according to the World Bank. While Nestle claims to work on fortifying products to address nutrient deficiencies, critics argue that governments in low-income countries need to be more vigilant about these food quality disparities.

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