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Tag: Nutrition

  • “Sustainability is anticipated to become a non-negotiable factor in consumer choices”: Danone India’s Sriram Padmanabhan

    “Sustainability is anticipated to become a non-negotiable factor in consumer choices”: Danone India’s Sriram Padmanabhan

    Mumbai: In a world where health-conscious choices are gaining prominence, the need for better nutrition in our day-to-day lives plays a pivotal role in shaping our well-being. At the forefront of this global paradigm is Danone, a renowned food and nutrition company committed to pioneering solutions for a healthier lifestyle.

    Danone India, a prominent player in the food and nutrition domain, reflects the global ethos of its parent company, boasting a sales turnover exceeding 23 billion Euros and a workforce spanning across 57 countries. With a robust portfolio catering to adult nutrition, healthy aging, and child-toddler nutrition, Danone India embodies a fusion of global expertise and local nutritional aspirations.

    Indiantelevision.com caught up with Danone India marketing director Sriram Padmanabhan to discuss the brand’s entry and sustainability efoorts in India, the impact of nutritional drinks on children’s diets, and much more…

    Edited Excerpts:

    On Danone’s launch in India, and the brand setting itself apart in the competitive market

    Danone entered India in 2012. Driven by its mission to bring health to as many people as possible, Danone serves across life stages addressing significant health challenges with its power brands in Dexolac, Protinex, Farex and introduced its global brands Aptamil in 2017. We are committed to innovation, tailoring products to meet the unique nutritional needs and cultural preferences of each region worldwide.

    On Danone’s plan to demonstrate measurable impacts and transparency in its sustainability efforts in India, aligning with the ‘One Planet. One Health’ agenda?

    In line with the Danone Renew strategy, the company has redefined its sustainability journey, focusing on three pillars: health, nature, and people & communities. With a commitment to maximising impact, Danone’s priorities include delivering tastier and healthier food, promoting better choices, and investing in nutrition science. The overarching goal is to bring health through food, preserve nature, and enhance societal well-being. To achieve this, we implement robust monitoring and evaluation systems that track key sustainability metrics across our operations. We prioritise initiatives that not only mitigate environmental impact but also promote societal well-being, such as reducing carbon emissions, conserving water resources, and fostering community engagement.

    On research and development influencing Danone’s approach to product development and innovation in India

    The increased focus on research and development has allowed us to address the unique needs and preferences of Indian consumers. Through R&D, we have introduced products tailored to local tastes while upholding Danone’s global standards of quality and nutrition. We conduct India-specific research and development to ensure our product is tailored to local nutritional requirements. This enables us to continuously enhance and localize our product offerings and contribute meaningfully to the well-being of Indian consumers and the planet.

    On the unique features or benefits that AptaGrow offers to children aged three to six years

    AptaGrow is a scientifically designed health drink that addresses the nutrition requirement of children in the age group of three to six years. With 37 nutrients that contains a unique blend of prebiotics which help in better absorption of vital nutrients essential to support growth, brain development and immunity. It has 100 per cent milk protein and calcium to support height gain, Vitamin A, C, D to support immune health and DHA, iron, folic acid & iodine to support brain development, while the unique blend of prebiotics supports absorption of the essential nutrients. This low-fat, chocolate/vanilla-flavored drink serves as an ideal choice for promoting healthy growth and overall development in children. We have also introduced a first-of-its-kind tool – Aptagrow Growth Chakra, to help mothers measure and understand her child’s holistic growth needs. This tool not only measures the child’s height, weight but also immunity, brain development and overall well-being.

    On Danone’s response to skepticism regarding the need for specialised products like AptaGrow versus promoting whole foods for children’s nutrition, considering the ongoing debate on the influence of nutritional drinks on children’s diets

    While nutritional drinks aren’t substitutes, they serve as valuable additions to children’s diets, fostering overall health and wellness. While we recognise the importance of a well-balanced meal, we also understand that consistently meeting the nutritional needs of your child sometimes might be a challenge.

    Therefore, we launched AptaGrow a scientifically designed milk drink that addresses the nutrition requirement of children in the age group of three to six years. With 37 nutrients it contains a unique blend of prebiotics which help in better absorption of vital nutrients crucial to support growth, brain development and immunity. It has 100 per cent milk protein and calcium to support height gain, Vitamin A, C, D to support immune health and DHA, iron, folic acid & iodine to support brain development, while the unique blend of prebiotics supports absorption of the essential nutrients.

    On the recent revamp of Protinex positioning Danone to maintain its market leadership in India’s adult nutrition sector and on digital strategies complementing this rebranding initiative to enhance customer satisfaction

    Since its inception in 1957, Protinex has been a prominent player in the field of adult nutrition in India. Over the past 65 years, Protinex has earned a strong reputation as a trusted and reliable brand, consistently delivering optimal nutrition to its consumers. Notably, Protinex has emerged as the leading brand in the adult nutrition segment. The recent brand revamp has been envisaged to further strengthen the brand relevance and build affinity across age segments while maintaining brand premium-ness with differentiated health benefits, greater quality, and taste across variants.

    Recognising the immense reach and influence of digital platforms, we aim to harness its potential to connect with our target audience effectively. By incorporating social media into our media mix, we engage consumers, share informative content, and foster meaningful conversations around health and nutrition, thereby amplifying the impact and strengthening our brand relevance.

    On the trends in consumer behavior that you foresee in 2024, particularly in relation to health consciousness and nutrition preferences

    In 2024, consumer behaviour is poised to reflect a heightened emphasis on holistic well-being, encompassing not only nutritional considerations but also mental and emotional health. The trend of viewing food as a holistic solution for overall wellness is expected to persist, with consumers seeking products that not only address nutritional needs but overall development. Moreover, the integration of technology into personalised nutrition plans is expected to become more mainstream, empowering consumers to tailor their dietary choices based on individual health conditions, preferences, and lifestyle.

    Sustainability is anticipated to become a non-negotiable factor in consumer choices, with a growing preference for products from brands that emphasize sustainable practices, eco-friendly packaging, and transparent supply chains. By staying attuned to these evolving consumer trends, brands and manufacturers can strategically position themselves to meet the changing demands of health-conscious consumers.

    On your vision and mission for the next three years

    At Danone, our global mission is “bringing health through food to as many people as possible.” We are committed to continually innovating and providing products and services that align with the nutritional requirements and expectations of consumers throughout their life stages. Our focus is on addressing local nutritional needs and promoting healthier eating habits among Indian consumers. Sustainability is at the core of our operations; we strive to reduce environmental impact while fostering inclusive growth across our supply chain. We are dedicated to making a positive impact on the health and well-being of Indian communities while upholding the highest standards of sustainability and social responsibility.

  • Britannia NutriChoice launches personalised diet consultation on World Diabetes Day

    Britannia NutriChoice launches personalised diet consultation on World Diabetes Day

    Mumbai: To mark the occasion of World Diabetes Day, Britannia NutriChoice launched a first-of-its-kind service that democratises access to nutrition for people with diabetes. The initiative uses the expertise of nutrition and health coach Ryan Fernando to deliver diet plans customised to age and dietary preferences.

    The campaign will reach over 15 million people in India and promote awareness about healthy meal planning to help prevent and manage diabetes.

    Ryan Fernando, India’s leading nutritionist with over two decades of experience, has partnered with Britannia Nutrichoice to provide customised diet counseling. The diets keep in mind the need for diversity in taste, focus on portion control, and work with simple, everyday sources of nutrition. According to the IDF, India ranks second after China, with 77 million people with diabetes. It is one of the largest global health emergencies of this century, ranking among the 10 leading causes of mortality. Over one in two adults with diabetes is undiagnosed. In India, one of the primary reasons for the steady rise in cases of diabetes is the increasingly unhealthy lifestyle and dietary choices. For a problem that affects so many, there isn’t one solution that fits all.

    This World Diabetes Day, the service launched by Britannia Nutrichoice is to provide a customised diet plan to individuals managing diabetes based on age and dietary preferences while minding the diversity of food choices across the country. The initiative recommends the most suitable diet plan for each person based on their demographics and delivers it via an easy-to-access, interactive WhatsApp ChatBot.

    Knowing that the journey to good health requires consistency and commitment, the initiative uses AI-powered technology to deliver a personalised video (addressing every individual by name) to check in on them a week after the diet plan has been delivered, to keep them motivated and on track.

    DENMARC director and Jaslok Hospital and Research Center endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism director prof. (Dr.) Hemraj B. Chandalia said, “On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, let us intensify our efforts to stop the onslaught of diabetes by choosing a healthier lifestyle. Healthful foods and increased physical activity will go a long way in preventing diabetes and mitigating its complications.”

    Speaking on the launch, Britannia Industries chief marketing officer Amit Doshi said, “India is home to the world’s second-highest population of people managing diabetes. On World Diabetes Day, we are happy to launch this national initiative to provide expert counsel towards balanced nutrition for diabetes. We aim to democratise access to nutrition and deliver a highly personalised experience using the power of AI technology. We are happy to have partnered with award-winning nutritionist Ryan Fernando, who worked extensively on the diet plans and helped bring the large-scale and much-needed initiative to life.”

    Nutritionist and Qua Nutrition founder Ryan Fernando said, “As a nutrition coach, it is my responsibility to educate and guide people towards healthier options and choosing foods that heal the body. Diabetes is a disorder that can be regulated and managed through the foods one consumes and the lifestyle one leads. I am excited about my collaboration with Britannia NutriChoice and hope what we have worked on benefits a lot of diabetics and pre-diabetics across the country.”

  • NYUMI launches five new products for urban Indian women

    New Delhi: Direct to consumer start-up, Nyumi has entered the fast-growing nutraceutical space with the launch of five critical products specifically formulated for the urban Indian women.

    The company addresses the specific issues of nutrient deficiencies in Indian women through products that blend Indian herbs and Western ingredients in the form of vegan, gluten and allergen-free gummy. The initial product portfolio targets the most prevalent women centric issues: immunity, hair, skin, sleep and urinary tract wellness.

    With the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, issues of everyday immunity, wellness and nutrition have become major concerns, driving explosive growth for the nutraceuticals industry, further aided by the boom in e-commerce with wellness being one of the largest and fastest growing categories.

    Nyumi founder and CEO Ananya Kejriwal Agarwal said, “We have invested heavily in R&D for all of our products to ensure maximum efficacy and bio-availability while making delicious flavours. All of our ingredients have been tested not just for their nutritional benefits but also for the quality of their source, clinical reports and compatibility with other ingredients. Our gummies blend time-tested Indian herbs such as Amla, Haldi and Tulsi with Western nutrients like biotin and hyaluronic acid.”

    According to the company, all ingredients are clinically researched, and multiple ingredients are even patented extracts. “The new products are just the beginning of the overarching mission of the company to address some of the significant health issues affecting women, more so in the post-Covid-19 world,” it said. The products are available through Nyumi.com, Amazon, and Nykaa.

    As per International Trade Administration, the nutraceuticals market is expected to grow from $ four billion (in 2017) to $18 billion by 2025. This growth is expected to be even more after the attention that the issues of immunity & overall wellness have got post the pandemic.

  • Nestlé India buoys consumer confidence with new print campaign

    Nestlé India buoys consumer confidence with new print campaign

    Kolkata: After the Swiss major FMCG Nestlé faced flak over the nutritional value of its products, its Indian unit has announced a major outreach campaign to reassure and retain its customers.

    In the print advertisement released on Sunday, the company asked consumers to share their concerns. The ad displays the entire portfolio of Nestlé India products emphasising the fact that the products are made with “over a 100 years of trust.”

    The multinational company said that it is releasing a series of print advertisements over the next few days, “to reassure consumers that it genuinely cares about what matters to them, what concerns them, and that we are there for them 24×7 if they have any questions or suggestions.” The ads also include contact details which consumers can use to reach out to the company.

    The global food major came under fire last week, after Financial Times reported, that an internal document of the company has described a large portion of its food and drinks as ‘unhealthy. According to the report, more than 60 percent of Nestlé’s mainstream food and drinks portfolio did not meet the recognised definition of health. This excludes products like pet food, baby food, and specialised medical nutrition.

    “Recent reports have questioned the healthfulness of Nestlé products, because of a global internal working document that was reported out of context. The portfolio analysis only covers about half the global sales, since several prominent categories were not included,” said a spokesperson for Nestlé India, as quoted by The Hindu.

    According to the company, the portfolio analysis only covers about half the global sales, since several prominent categories were not included. “In fact, looking at the global portfolio as a whole, less than 30 per cent would not meet stringent external “healthfulness” standards, mostly representing indulgent products, which are acceptable in moderation as part of a healthy, balanced and enjoyable diet,” the spokesperson added.

    The parent company of household names like Maggi, Milkmaid, Kitkat, Nescafé said its approach as “a credible, trustworthy and responsible company is to always communicate with consumers on facts, in a humble and transparent tone and manner.

    In its defence, Nestlé had also said that efforts were ongoing over decades to improve the nutritional footprint of its products, adding that it has reduced sugar and sodium in the last two decades, about 14-15 per cent in the past seven years alone.

    As far as Nestle India’s portfolio is concerned, it is somewhat different from its parent company with only nine out of Nestle’s 35 billionaire brands having a presence in India.

    This is not the first time that Nestle has found itself in such controversy. Its instant noodles Maggi came under scrutiny after samples were reported to have higher than permissible levels of monosodium glutamate. Following legal challenges, negative consumer sentiment, it had to launch a fresh set of products.

  • ET NOW in association with DuPont presents The Power of Shunya: Challenge for Zero

    ET NOW in association with DuPont presents The Power of Shunya: Challenge for Zero

    ET NOW, India’s No.1 business news channel in association with DuPont India, a leader in market driven science & innovation is launching an inspiring television competition series ‘The Power of Shunya™: Challenge for Zero’. This unique show will give university students the opportunity to present their best ideas and innovations that will help India achieve progress against the goal of Shunya or zero – a country of zero hunger, zero malnutrition, zero accidents, zero lives lost, zero carbon footprint. The 10-part series will be hosted by popular television anchor Gaurav Kapur and will premiere on Saturday, October 12, at 6:30 pm only on ET NOW.

     

    ‘The Power of Shunya™: Challenge for Zero’ is an invitation to the best minds from science, technology and business schools to come together to showcase ground-breaking innovations and their go-to-market strategies across key sectors like food, agriculture, nutrition, health, energy, mobility, infrastructure, safety and sustainability.

  • FCC to examine relationship betweeen TV ads and obesity in kids

    FCC to examine relationship betweeen TV ads and obesity in kids

    MUMBAI: The controversy over the role TV ads play in kids obesity in the US is growing.

    US Senator Sam Brownback, and US media watchdog Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Kevin Martin unveiled plans for a Valentine’s Day forum to examine potential voluntary actions that might ease any negative effects ads might have on children.

    The FCC announced the list of participants on the Task Force on Media and Childhood Obesity: Today and Tomorrow. The Task Force will hold its first meeting on 14 February, 2007.

    The Task Force consists of representatives of consumer advocacy groups, the food and beverage industry, media companies, and advertisers, as well as healthcare and academic experts. The participants include: American Diabetes Association, American Society for Nutrition, Coca-Cola, Kellogg Company, McDonald’s, Pepsi, Viacom, Discovery and Disney.

    The Commission is represented by Chairman Martin and Commissioners Deborah Taylor Tate and Michael Copps. They are joined by Brownback and Senator Tom Harkin. The goal of the Task Force is to provide a forum for the public and private sectors to jointly examine the impact of the media on childhood obesity rates and collaborate on voluntary recommendations to address the alarming rise in the rates of obese children.