Food giant Nestlé, which has operations in Jamaica and sells its goods throughout the Caribbean, has admitted that 60 per cent of its products would not meet “a recognized definition of health.”

According to the reputable Financial Times, with Nestlé generating around US$100 billion a year in revenues, the assessment applies to about half its portfolio which includes Kit Kat, Nespresso, Milo, Betty Condensed Milk, Supligen, Cheerios and Maggi.

“We have made significant improvement to our products …(but) our portfolio still underperforms against external definitions of health in a landscape where regulatory pressure and consumer demands are skyrocketing,” a Nestlé presentation read.

There is growing demand across the world for food companies to manufacture healthy food products and reduce chemical inputs. Many pressure and lobby groups have pointed the finger at big food corporations for the rise in obesity.

Swiss company Nestlé is the world’s largest packaged food and beverage company.

Nestlé says it is now working on a “company-wide project to update its nutrition and health strategy.”

The Financial Times quoted the Nestlé report as concluding that “Some of our categories and products will never be “healthy” no matter how much we renovate.”

“We believe that a healthy diet means finding a balance between well being and enjoyment. This includes having some space for indulgent foods, consumed in moderation,” said a Nestlé spokesman.