Nestle, PepsiCo, Unilever sell less healthy products in India: Report
New Delhi: A recent report reveals that major food and beverage companies, including Nestle, PepsiCo, and Unilever, are selling less healthy products in low income countries such as India.
According to a global index published by Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI), as cited by Business Standard, Nestle, PepsiCo and Unilever were among the companies found to be offering products in low income countries with lower scores on a health rating system.
The non-profit organisation found that across 30 companies, products sold in low-income countries received lower ratings on a star system developed in Australia and New Zealand compared to those sold in high income countries.
The average score was just 1.8 out of 5 for low income countries, while it was 2.3 for high income countries. Products with a score above 3.5 are considered healthy.
Mark Wijne, research director at ATNI, told Reuters that it is clear these companies are increasingly active in the poorest countries, but they are not selling their healthier products there.
“It’s a wake-up call for governments in these countries to be vigilant,” he added.
According to the World Health Organization, over one billion people around the world are living with obesity. The World Bank estimates that 70 percent of individuals who are overweight or obese reside in low-and-middle-income countries.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Adani group denies bribery charge, says they are baseless
New Delhi (PTI): Adani group on Thursday denied charges of paying bribe to secure favourable terms for solar power contracts, saying the allegations by US prosecutors are baseless and the conglomerate is compliant with all laws.
It said all possible legal recourse will be sought.
"The allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the group spokesperson said in a statement.
Billionaire Gautam Adani has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay over USD 250 million (about Rs 2,100 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange of favourable terms for solar power contracts.
Commenting on the development, the spokesperson pointed to US Department of Justice statement that said "the charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty".
"The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws," the spokesperson added.
