Date:16/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/16/stories/2006051601050500.htm

Back Nestle to sharpen focus on `science-based nutrition products'

Dharini Nagarajan

To leverage know-how from its parent company

New Delhi , May 15

Nestle India is stepping up focus on science-based nutrition foods in line with its global strategy.

The company is working to develop more products on science-based nutrition, health and wellness planks across product categories by leveraging know-how from its parent company.

In fact, Nestle SA has globally stepped up focus on rolling out products on the science platform and has recently set up a 500 million fund, named `W Health' to complement Nestle's internal R&D.

The fund is intended to help Nestle grow new businesses in the area of science-based nutrition and "accelerate its progress to a company delivering nutrition, health and well-being products in food, beverages and pet care", according to the company.

Science-based nutrition foods are those which add health benefits to existing foods as a result of scientific research. Meanwhile, new expertise created as a result of this fund could also be accessed by Nestle India as the Indian subsidiary has a General License agreement with the Nestle Group, Switzerland, that enables it to access technical know-how required for these products.

The company, last year revisited certain products to enhance their nutritional content. For instance, Lactogen-1 infant milk food was renovated in line with ongoing scientific research and paediatric recommendations.

Nestle's Milo for instance, was re-launched with energy releasing Actigen-E, a team of B-vitamin complex and essential micronutrients to boost optimum performance. Actigen-E helps to optimise the release of energy from the three main food groups — proteins, fats and carbohydrates and is a specific balance of vitamins and minerals, which are the cofactors in energy metabolism.

The company also launched Nestle Ceremeal Daliya, which according to the company is a scientifically balanced meal solution for two-plus toddlers, containing essential nutrients.