A new report from the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) has highlighted a significant disparity in the healthiness of products sold by some of the world’s largest food companies, including Nestle, PepsiCo, and Unilever, between low- and high-income countries. The global index, ATNI’s first since 2021, found that products sold in lower-income nations scored significantly lower on the Health Star Rating—a system used in Australia and New Zealand that rates food healthiness out of five stars—than those sold in wealthier regions.
The study, which assessed 30 multinational corporations, revealed that products sold in low-income countries averaged a score of 1.8, whereas those in high-income countries rated 2.3. A Health Star Rating above 3.5 is generally considered healthier. Mark Wijne, ATNI’s research director, noted that this trend indicates a stark health imbalance, calling on governments in low-income countries to be more vigilant regarding the nutritional quality of food products.
The ATNI report underscores a global health concern: as packaged foods increasingly contribute to rising obesity rates, particularly in low- and middle-income nations, they pose a growing threat. The World Health Organization reports that over a billion people worldwide are living with obesity, and the World Bank estimates that 70% of individuals who are overweight or obese reside in low- and middle-income countries.
In response, a Nestle spokesperson said the company is committed to expanding its sales of more nutritious products, adding that it fortifies certain products to address nutrient deficiencies in developing nations. PepsiCo declined to comment but recently announced goals to lower sodium in its snacks and incorporate whole grains into its products.
ATNI’s latest findings serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, signaling a need for stricter regulations to improve the nutritional quality of products in regions most vulnerable to health inequities.