2024 Nestlé Nutrition Symposium Explored Food & Health

Ask the world about the link between food and health and you’ll receive eight billion different opinions, fears and lived experiences. In 2024, there has never been a more diverse range of food on shelves or a wider definition of what constitutes ‘health’. 

This was explored at the 2024 Nestlé International Nutrition Symposium, where more than 50 scientists united to share their scientific knowledge on the link between diet and health. 

The theme was ‘Rethinking the impact of nutrition on health: From nutrients to meals to balanced diets’. This was the 20th anniversary of the first Nestlé International Nutrition Symposium and it took place at Nestlé Research in Lausanne, Switzerland. 

Nestlé's vision for balanced diets and global well-being

Since 1866, Nestlé has been a leader in nutrition. The company has grown from a single-product enterprise, to over 2,000 brands in 186 countries. 

Nestlé Health Science is a subsidiary of Nestlé, focusing on nutritional health, the company develops and markets science-based nutritional products for consumers with specific dietary needs. Its portfolio includes brands such as Boost nutritional drinks, Carnation Breakfast Essentials and Vitaflo medical nutrition. Nestlé also offers specialised formulas for conditions such as diabetes, malnutrition and gastrointestinal disorders. Nestlé Health Science operates globally, aiming to bridge the gap between healthcare and nutrition through innovation and research-backed products.

At the 2024 Nestlé International Nutrition Symposium, Nestlé Chairman, Chairman Paul Bulcke began the event by discussing the importance of supporting consumers in eating balanced diets, in a sustainable way. He said that meeting the specific nutritional and health needs of people in all life stages was important and that science and technology play a big part in this. 

Next up, Professor Eileen Kennedy gave a keynote lecture where she explored how balanced diets must ensure adequate nutrient intake to lower the chance of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases across all life stages. 

Nestlé Health Science targets weight loss 

The surge in sales of weight loss drugs – particularly in the US – is having a ripple effect on other markets, both in the foods and healthcare sectors.

Weight loss drugs are believed to be behind a fall in demand for the kind of foods associated with weight gain. Analysts at Morgan Stanley estimate that US consumption of fizzy soft drinks, baked goods and salty snacks could fall by up to 3% by 2035.

Nestlé Health Science has introduced GLP-1 Nutrition, an initiative to support consumers during their weight loss efforts. “Nutrition, science, and wellness must merge – not collide,” the company says.

Its GLP-1 Nutrition offerings are available via a new web platform that offers extensive nutritional guidance to people focused on managing their weight.

The launch of GLP-1 Nutrition builds on Nestlé’s Vital Pursuits food range, set to be launched later this year. This contains 12 portion-controlled frozen meals, which are high in protein and fibre. Vital Pursuit is intended to be a companion for GLP-1, as they are portion-aligned to a weight loss medication user's appetite. 

Nestlé also plans to sell electrolyte tablets with strawberry-lemonade flavour for those upping their exercise regimens, as well as collagen peptides to boost skin elasticity, as well as multivitamins and fibre supplements.

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