Nestlé wants US food labels to be easier to read so that people don’t have to worry about the names of ingredients
Nestlé has called on US regulators to streamline food labels, arguing that complex scientific ingredient names deter consumers from purchasing safe products.
Nestlé is advocating to US authorities for permission for food manufacturers to use simpler, more familiar ingredient names on product labels. The company argues that technical scientific terms are contributing to consumer concerns about processed foods, even though many of the ingredients are natural or widely recognized as safe.
The Swiss food giant, known for producing Nescafé coffee and KitKat chocolate, has called on regulators to allow the use of common names like “vitamin C” instead of “ascorbic acid” and “vitamin A” instead of “beta-carotene” on packaging, as stated by a former senior Nestlé executive familiar with the discussions.
“At times, the manner in which we are required to describe ingredients in the US gives it an impression akin to Frankenstein food,” the former executive shared with Reuters.
“In reality, it’s a natural ingredient that consumers have an inherent term for.”
The former executive, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, stated that Nestlé had addressed the matter directly with officials in Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s team as the administration evaluates food-labelling policies under its “Make America Healthy Again” initiative.
The lobbying effort has not been reported before.
Current US labeling regulations frequently mandate that manufacturers utilize technical ingredient names without providing explanations of their purposes. Industry sources indicate that this practice deters purchases and has, in certain instances, led companies to reformulate products to eliminate ingredients that consumers view as artificial.
In contrast, European food-labeling regulations permit ingredient descriptions to convey their intended purpose. For instance, an ingredient might be identified as “antioxidant (ascorbic acid),” “ascorbic acid (vitamin C),” or just “vitamin C,” based on its role in the product.
In recent years, there has been a steady increase in consumer demand for simpler ingredient lists.
According to a report by Innova Market Insights, approximately 75% of North American consumers rethink their food purchases after examining ingredient labels, with a majority favoring products that contain recognizable ingredients and straightforward descriptions.
In response to inquiries regarding the matter, a representative from the US Department of Health and Human Services stated, “We are actively collaborating with stakeholders throughout the food industry to assist Americans in making informed choices about the foods they buy and eat.”
Nestlé’s Chief Technology Officer, Stefan Palzer, stated that the company is actively engaged in efforts to simplify product formulations whenever feasible.
“However, it poses a challenge,” Palzer remarked.
“We strive to minimize the use of ingredients that may be unfamiliar to consumers while ensuring that the safety, quality, and functionality of the product remain uncompromised.”
He noted that consumers around the globe are increasingly drawn to products with ingredients that seem familiar and feature labels that are easy to comprehend.
Other food retailers have likewise adapted to evolving consumer preferences. The German supermarket chain Aldi has been eliminating numerous ingredients from the products available in its stores, allowing shoppers to feel confident about their purchases.
The former Nestlé executive stated that the company had engaged in discussions with US regulators regarding specific ingredients as part of the broader government initiative to remove artificial substances from foods, while also seeking approval to streamline the names of the ingredients it plans to keep.
Nestlé’s initiatives illustrate a wider movement within the food sector to tackle increasing public doubt regarding ingredient lists.
Industry groups, such as the Americans for Ingredient Transparency coalition and the International Food Additives Council, contend that the use of highly technical ingredient names unjustly labels products, despite the fact that these ingredients are widely used and sanctioned by regulatory bodies.
The membership of the groups comprises prominent global food companies like Nestlé, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Cargill, all of which have backed initiatives aimed at simplifying ingredient labels for consumer comprehension.
