The ATNI report assessed products from 30 multinational companies using the Health Star Rating system, which ranks food items on a scale from 1 to 5 based on their healthiness. In this system, a score above 3.5 is considered healthier. The products sold by these brands in low-income countries averaged a health rating of 1.8, while the same companies’ products in high-income regions scored 2.3 on average.
This lower score in less affluent regions reflects a trend where these companies tend to market less nutritious foods in countries where healthier alternatives may already be less accessible.
As these companies expand into low-income countries, they often promote affordable but lower-quality products. ATNI’s Research Director Mark Wijne commented, “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 healthy products.” This finding, Wijne noted, should act as “a wake-up call for governments in these countries to be vigilant.”
The ATNI report suggests that packaged foods, which are increasingly consumed worldwide, play a significant role in the ongoing obesity crisis. According to the World Health Organization, over a billion people globally are living with obesity. The World Bank estimates that 70% of individuals dealing with obesity or overweight reside in low- and middle-income countries, a statistic that underscores the importance of nutritional quality in foods marketed to these regions.
With increasing obesity and associated health conditions, these regions face mounting public health challenges. The lack of access to nutrient-dense foods only compounds the risks, making the need for higher standards in food products even more urgent.
Nestlé responded to the report by emphasizing its commitment to promoting healthier diets. In a statement, a Nestlé spokesperson said, “We have committed to grow our sales of more nutritious foods, as well as guiding people towards more balanced diets.” Additionally, the company noted its practice of fortifying products to address nutrient gaps in developing regions.
While PepsiCo did not respond directly to the ATNI findings, the company has previously set goals to enhance the nutritional quality of its offerings. Last year, PepsiCo outlined plans to reduce sodium in its potato chips and incorporate ingredients like whole grains. These initiatives reflect a gradual shift toward improving food quality, although these changes have yet to bridge the nutrition gap highlighted in the ATNI report.
ATNI’s findings indicate that low-income countries may benefit from stricter policies that incentivize the sale of healthier products. To ensure that these companies provide better quality options, governments could establish minimum health standards for food imports or incentivize nutrient-dense products in the market.
Possible regulatory measures could include setting mandatory health ratings or providing tax incentives for products that meet specific nutritional criteria. These policies would encourage multinational corporations to improve the quality of their products in lower-income regions, aligning with global health objectives to combat rising obesity and diet-related diseases.
The ATNI report serves as a wake-up call to the disparities in nutritional quality offered by leading food and beverage companies across different income regions. As these multinational corporations increase their presence in low-income countries, they must acknowledge their role in supporting global health standards and addressing nutrition-related issues.
This report highlights the need for both corporations and governments to collaborate on establishing policies that encourage the sale of healthier products, especially in areas where healthier food options are already limited. For a world grappling with an obesity crisis and a rise in diet-related diseases, it is essential that the quality of food products remains consistent across all markets, ensuring access to nutritious choices for consumers regardless of economic status.
Addressing these disparities will be a critical step towards promoting health equity and tackling the global challenges of malnutrition and obesity.