'Nestle India looking to expand footprint in health, wellness and nutrition segments'

Etienne Benet, head of Nestle South Asia region, divulged the plans at India Economic Summit

Nestle India is looking to focus majorly on the health, wellness and nutrition segments by expanding its portfolio of products containing low salt, sugar and trans-fatty acids.

"We as a company have recognised the value of nutrition, health and wellness and are working towards becoming  a credible player in this segment, both globally as well as in India," head of Nestle South Asia region, Etienne Benet told reporters.

Benet who was participating in a session on "New Pathways and Sustainability" at the India Economic Summit said that the company is also looking at spreading the message of health, wellness and nutrition in all other initiatives that it currently undertakes.

Nestle is one of the oldest multinational company present in India covering a wide ranging of products and fields.

Few months ago the union minister for food processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal too had urged Pepsico Chairman and CEO Indira Nooyi to bring down the sugar content in its products, a statement issued by the ministry had said.

On his views on the new government and the steps that it has taken in the last five month, Benet said that his general view was that there was leadership and direction in the government.

"It is not my capacity to comment on the government, what we can do and are doing is work together with all stakeholders to improve farm yields and production, reduce wastage. In this Maharashtra is a good example," Benet said.

On how volatile food inflation impacts companies engaged in food processing like Nestle's, Benet said food inflation has always been a concern and companies like Nestle have to adopt to that.

"It is part of life and we have to adopt to its movements," Benet said. He also said that the trend in consumer spending is position, but as of now there is no extraordinary buoyancy.