Nestlé has invested, over the last three years, over R $ 95 million to consolidate a complete dairy portfolio and to meet different consumption profiles of milk and dairy compounds in Brazil, with a focus on better nutrition for children and adults. The company’s movement is sustained by a scenario in which 90% of the Brazilian population is lacking at least one nutrient (Family Budget Survey, 2008). Increasingly, people are adopting diverse eating habits and lifestyles, with greater concern for nutrition and health, which has encouraged the industry to develop products that meet a new population profile, with a more specific product mix and targeted. This list includes trends such as organic products, zero lactose, with added fiber and vitamins,
Investments involve research, development and innovation, in line with new consumer demands.
“We are undergoing demographic and behavioral changes that make room for specialized nutritional solutions for children and adults,” said Nestlé Dairy Vice President Antonio Diogo.
According to Nestlé Dairy Marketing Manager Carine Mahler, the upward trend in dairy consumption at different times of the day is an important factor that inspires innovation opportunities, and brands like Nest and Molico position themselves as allies of the consumer in search of a healthier diet, with prospects of adding ingredients, vitamins, nutrients and functionalities that contribute to reinforce daily nutrition. Considering this scenario, the brands put eight new products on the market at once, delivering specialized nutrition to the consumer.
Ninho – Present in one of every three Brazilian homes, Ninho is the brand that mothers rely most on their children’s nutrition (Ibope survey 2019), and accounts for about 40% of the national market share. Molico, in turn, has enormous market potential in Brazil, since milk now has 70% penetration in homes where there are no children and, therefore, is part of the Brazilian routine.
Ninho brings four important releases: Ninho Forti +, the first dairy compound to address 100% of the main deficiencies of Brazilian children, complete and balanced with iron, vitamins A, C, D and E, fiber, calcium and zinc; Organic Nest, the first organic milk of a large industry launched in Brazil; Bedtime Nest, with chamomile and Forti + mix of vitamins and minerals, an ally of mothers in the sleep ritual of the little ones, as it is known that the inadequate quality of sleep affects the physical and cognitive development of the child; Ninho Hora da Escola, with omega 3 and Forti + mix of vitamins and minerals, to support school and children’s daily activities; and Nest in 100% vegetable version, ready to drink.
Molico – Brand specializing in adult nutrition and present in Brazil since 1959, Molico presents the new Molico Semi-skimmed Fibers – with the best mix of vitamins, minerals and fiber, as well as being a source of protein. It is noteworthy that one in two adults in Brazil suffers from bowel problems, and in general, do not consume the recommended amount of fiber per day – fiber decreases the risk of heart disease and diabetes and is important for digestion and satiety. Also on the radar are Molico + Protein in the ready-to-drink version – high in protein, 40% more calcium compared to the market average, plus vitamins C, D and K. Ideal for those looking for a healthy lifestyle , since protein intake can contribute to satiety increase and prevent muscle loss; and Molico Omega 3 Powder, the only adult milk with a unique mix of vitamins and omega 3 that helps protect cardiovascular and brain health and helps keep your mind active and focused. (From the newsroom)
Company has 49 farms for organic production
Nestlé began supporting the conversion of farms for organic production in 2016 and currently has 49 farms in the process of conversion, representing over 32,000 liters produced per day in the regions of São Carlos and Araçatuba, in São Paulo, which doubles the total amount of organic milk produced in the country.
In these three years of development of the large-scale organic milk production chain in Brazil, the company invested around R $ 10 million / year in the preparation and conversion of producers to be able to organic production, including criteria such as pasture without the use of chemical or pesticide fertilizers, organic and non-GM food and treatment of animals with homeopathy and herbal medicines.
It takes about 18 months between conversion of pasture, animals and adaptation of the farm structure to become organic. In addition, the project also involves transparency in the traceability of raw materials from the source.
As part of its organic milk chain development journey in Brazil, the company has implemented a number of other animal welfare promotion initiatives. The most recent is the use of electronic sensors capable of monitoring the health and happiness of cows. The “electronic earring” is part of Nestlé’s Cowsense Project in Brazil, aimed at monitoring the organic milk producing animals.
The device collects and provides information about the main activities that express the natural behavior of cows: ruminal activity, movement and idleness and temperature. Through an artificial intelligence system, the sensor creates algorithms by reading activities that define the standard behavior of each animal. This data is sent to the producer in real time via a mobile app and if there is any deviation from the behavior, the producer receives an alert from the system.
It is accurate information about the condition of the animal, which allows the producer to make better decisions about herd management, with more efficiency and complete autonomy.
An example of cow welfare indicator is the rumination rate. The cow, except when sleeping or eating, is always ruminating as part of the digestion process. The sensor tracks and measures the activity curve of the indicators in real time. Any variation in the results allows to know if the animal is well, in reproductive heat, under stress or with a potential problem, allowing the intervention before it can become ill. Today, 80% of Nestlé’s organic production volume is monitored and the goal is to reach 100% by the end of 2020.
Nestlé has industrial units located in the states of Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Pernambuco, Goias, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul and Espirito Santo. It employs 32,000 direct employees and generates another 200,000 indirect jobs. Nestlé Brasil is present in 99% of Brazilian homes, according to a survey by Kantar Worldpanel.
Source: Trade Journal
