Thu Nov 21 03:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Global Food Giants Sell Less Healthy Products in Low-Income Countries: Report

**NEW DELHI, November 21, 2024** – A new report from the Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNi) reveals that leading food and beverage companies sell significantly less healthy products in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries (HICs). The fifth edition of the Global Access to Nutrition Index assessed 30 major manufacturers, representing 23% of the global market, on their efforts to improve access to nutritious foods.

Analyzing over 52,000 products from brands like Nestle, PepsiCo, and Unilever, the report used a health star rating system (5 stars being the healthiest). The average healthiness score in LMICs was a dismal 1.8, compared to 2.3 in HICs. Only 30% of companies implemented strategies to make healthier products affordable in lower-income markets. Furthermore, micronutrient data was less readily available for products in LMICs.

This disparity highlights a growing concern, particularly in India, which faces a massive non-communicable disease (NCD) burden. An estimated 101.3 million Indians have diabetes, and obesity rates are high. Experts link this to increasingly unhealthy diets, with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) attributing 56.4% of the nation’s disease burden to poor diet. Adding to the challenge, over 50% of Indians cannot afford a healthy diet, while spending on processed foods is rising.

Despite India’s commitment to World Health Assembly resolutions on child health and its National Multisectoral Action Plan for NCDs, progress on crucial initiatives like front-of-pack food labeling remains stalled. Activists advocate for mandatory labeling to indicate high sugar, fat, and sodium content, citing successful examples in Chile and Mexico. A draft regulation in India has been pending for two years. The ATNi report concludes that voluntary efforts by companies are insufficient and calls for mandatory government policies.

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