Nestlé#Water bottling operations in California and Oregon

File:Henry Nestle.jpg (1814–1890), a German-born Swiss confectioner, was the founder of Nestlé and one of the main creators of condensed milk.]]

Nestlé's origin dates back to the 1860s when two separate Swiss enterprises were founded that would later form Nestlé. In the following decades, the two competing enterprises expanded their businesses throughout Europe and the United States.{{cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/europe/switzerland/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-nestle-brand/|title=A Brief History of the Nestlé Brand|last=Mowbray|first=Sean|website=Culture Trip|date=13 May 2017|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804123428/https://theculturetrip.com/europe/switzerland/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-nestle-brand/|url-status=live}}

• 1866: Charles Page (US consul to Switzerland) and George Page, brothers from Lee County, Illinois established the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company in Cham, Switzerland. The company's first British operation was opened at Chippenham, Wiltshire in 1873.[http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=102814 'Other industries', A History of the County of Wiltshire] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111121140334/http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=102814 |date=21 November 2011 }}: Volume 4 (1959), pp. 220–253. Retrieved 14 August 2010{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nestle-SA|title=Nestle SA {{!}} History, Headquarters, & Subsidiaries|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804133805/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nestle-SA|url-status=live}}
• 1867: In Vevey, Switzerland, Henri Nestlé developed milk-based baby food and soon began marketing it. The following year, Daniel Peter began seven years of work perfecting the milk chocolate manufacturing process. Nestlé had the solution Peter needed to fix his problem of removing all the water from the milk added to his chocolate, thus preventing the product from developing mildew.
• 1875: Henri Nestlé retired; the company, under new ownership, retained his name as Société Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé.{{Citation needed|date=January 2020}}{{Cite web|url=http://houseofswitzerland.org/swissstories/history/henri-nestle-man-behind-global-enterprise|title=Henri Nestlé: the man behind the global enterprise | House of Switzerland|date=17 September 2018|website=houseofswitzerland.org}}
• 1877: Anglo-Swiss added milk-based baby foods to its products; in the following year, the Nestlé Company added condensed milk to its portfolio, which made the firms direct rivals.
• 1879: Nestlé merged with milk chocolate inventor Daniel Peter.{{cite web|url=https://whatscookingamerica.net/History/MilkChocolate.htm|title=Milk Chocolate History|last=Stradley|first=Linda|date=3 November 2015|website=What's Cooking America|language=en-US|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212054953/https://whatscookingamerica.net/History/MilkChocolate.htm|url-status=live}}
• 1890: Henri Nestlé died.

In the late 19th and early 20th century, Henri Nestlé and his successors participated in the development of the chocolate industry in Switzerland, together with the Peter, Kohler, and Cailler families.{{cite web|url=http://www.the-soft-drinks.com/chocolate-switzerland.html|title=Swiss Chocolate Brands|author=HPatrick|date=3 January 2016|access-date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215428/http://www.the-soft-drinks.com/chocolate-switzerland.html|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}} In 1904, Daniel Peter and Charles-Amédée Kohler (son of Charles-Amédée Kohler who founded a chocolate factory in 1830) became partners and founded the Société générale suisse des chocolats Peter et Kohler réunis. In 1911, the company created by Peter and Kohler merged with Cailler.{{cite web|website=Cailler|url=https://cailler.ch/en/about|title=About Cailler|accessdate=10 May 2022|quote=1911: As the chocolate industry booms, the companies Peter (managed by Daniel Peter) and Kohler, which were already partners, merge with Cailler.|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524210327/https://cailler.ch/en/about|url-status=live}} Alexandre Cailler (grandson of François-Louis Cailler) had founded a chocolate factory in Broc in 1898, still used by Nestlé today; which enabled the production of milk chocolate on a large scale. In 1929, Peter, Cailler, Kohler, Chocolats Suisses finally merged with the Nestlé group.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qjgxEAAAQBAJ | title=Rowntree's – The Early History | publisher=Pen and Sword Books | author=Chrystal, Paul | year=2021 | chapter=The Cocoa and Chocolate Competition at the Start of the Twentieth Century | isbn=9781526778901 | quote=In 1904, Daniel Peter and Charles-Amédée Kohler became partners and founded the company Société Générale Suisse de Chocolats Peter et Kohler Réunis. [...] In 1929, Peter, Cailler, Kohler and Chocolats Suisses S. A. all merged with the Nestlé group. | access-date=18 May 2022 | archive-date=28 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828084812/https://books.google.com/books?id=qjgxEAAAQBAJ | url-status=live }}{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18NaAAAAYAAJ | title=Candy and Snack Industry: Volume 145, Issues 1-6 | publisher=Magazines for Industry, Incorporated | year=1980 | pages=28–29 | quote=The Nestlé S.A. facility in Broc, Switzerland, is steeped in the tradition of fine chocolate manufacturing as a company that has played an important part in industry history. [...] Cailler brand and his signature is still embossed on chocolate. In Switzerland, Cailler is the leading chocolate brand. Charles-Amedee Kohler (1790-1874) began producing chocolate in 1830. The Kohler firm later merged with that of Daniel Peter. Daniel Peter (1836-1919), who became the son-in-law of Francois Louis Cailler, assured his place in chocolate industry history with his invention in 1875 of milk chocolate. Henri Nestlé had first become an important manufacturer of milk products. Among his accomplishments was the development of a process to produce condensed milk which would be used in the making of milk chocolate. It wasn't until 1929 that these pioneering companies agreed to merge, but the plant at Broc had been built by the Cailler family in 1898. The selection of a site in Broc was made deliberately to locate it in Switzerland's picturesque Gruyere region, renowned for its fine milk production. | access-date=18 May 2022 | archive-date=28 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828084812/https://books.google.com/books?id=18NaAAAAYAAJ | url-status=live }} An earlier alliance in 1904 between Peter and Nestlé also allowed the production of milk chocolate in the United States, at the Fulton plant.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_Q_DCwAAQBAJ | title=Classic Candy: America's Favorite Sweets, 1950–80 | publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing | author=Lacey, Darlene | year=2013 | pages=16 | isbn=9780747813651 | quote=In 1899, the people of Fulton, New York, saw the potential of this [milk chocolate] industry and raised money to purchase land for a Peter's Chocolate manufacturing plant. In 1904, Peter's Chocolate and Nestle formed an alliance, and Nestle's domestic production began. | access-date=18 May 2022 | archive-date=28 August 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828084812/https://books.google.com/books?id=_Q_DCwAAQBAJ | url-status=live }}

In 1905, Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss merged to become the Nestlé and Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company, retaining that name until 1947 when the name 'Nestlé Alimentana SA' was taken as a result of the acquisition of Fabrique de Produits Maggi SA (founded 1884) and its holding company, Alimentana SA, of Kempttal, Switzerland. The company's current name was adopted in 1977. By the early 1900s, the company was operating factories in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Spain.{{cite web|url=https://www.englishteastore.com/nestle-history.html|title=History of Nestlé|website=www.englishteastore.com|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804124845/https://www.englishteastore.com/nestle-history.html|url-status=live}} The First World War created a demand for dairy products in the form of government contracts, and by the end of the war, Nestlé's production had more than doubled.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

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|caption1 = A 1915 advertisement for "Nestlés Food", an early infant formula

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In January 1919, Nestlé bought two condensed milk plants in Oregon from the company Geibisch and Joplin for $250,000. One was in Bandon, while the other was in Milwaukie. They expanded them considerably, processing 250,000 pounds of condensed milk daily in the Bandon plant.{{Cite journal|last=Blakely|first=Joe|date=2003|title=Oregon Places: The Nestlé Condensary in Bandon|jstor=20615370|journal=Oregon Historical Quarterly|publisher=Oregon Historical Society|volume=104|issue=4|pages=566–577|doi=10.1353/ohq.2003.0004|s2cid=245852881}}

File:Aleppo Nestle building Tilal street 1920s, postcard by Wattar brothers.jpg

After the World War I, government contracts dried up, and consumers switched back to fresh milk. However, Nestlé's management responded quickly, streamlining operations and reducing debt. The 1920s saw Nestlé's first expansion into new products, with chocolate-manufacture becoming the company's second most important activity; white chocolate was created in the following decade. Louis Dapples was CEO till 1937 when succeeded by Édouard Muller till his death in 1948.

Nestlé felt the effects of the Second World War immediately. Profits dropped from US$20 million in 1938 to US$6 million in 1939.{{Cite web |title=1938 - 1944 |url=https://www.nestle-cwa.com/en/aboutus/history/history4#:~:text=The%20effects%20of%20the%20onset,to%20offices%20in%20Stamford%2C%20Connecticut. |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=nestle-cwa.com |archive-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509191143/https://www.nestle-cwa.com/en/aboutus/history/history4#:~:text=The%20effects%20of%20the%20onset,to%20offices%20in%20Stamford%2C%20Connecticut. |url-status=live }} Factories were established in developing countries, particularly in South America.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/27/business/dealbook/nestle-chocolate-milk-coffee-history.html|title=How Nestlé Expanded Beyond the Kitchen|last=Owles|first=Eric|date=27 June 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=16 January 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926163812/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/27/business/dealbook/nestle-chocolate-milk-coffee-history.html|url-status=live}} Ironically, the war helped with the introduction of the company's newest product, Nescafé ("Nestlé's Coffee"), which became a staple drink of the US military. Despite that, Nestlé actually supplied both sides in the war: the company had a contract to feed the German army. Nestlé's production and sales rose in the wartime economy.

File:Nestle logo 1938.png

The end of World War II was the beginning of a dynamic phase for Nestlé. Growth accelerated and numerous companies were acquired. In 1947 Nestlé merged with Maggi, a manufacturer of seasonings and soups. Crosse & Blackwell followed in 1950, as did Findus (1963), Libby's (1971), and Stouffer's (1973).{{cite web|url=https://www.ukessays.com/essays/management/nestle-international-mergers-and-acquisitions-management-essay.php|title=Nestle International Mergers And Acquisitions Management Essay|website=UKEssays.com|language=en|access-date=16 January 2020|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804170217/https://www.ukessays.com/essays/management/nestle-international-mergers-and-acquisitions-management-essay.php|url-status=live}} Diversification came under chairman & CEO Pierre Liotard-Vogt with a shareholding in L'Oreal in 1974 and the acquisition of Alcon Laboratories Inc. in 1977 for $280 million.

In the 1980s, Nestlé's improved bottom line allowed the company to launch further acquisitions. Carnation was acquired for US$3 billion in 1984 and brought the evaporated milk brand, as well as Coffee-Mate and Friskies, to Nestlé. In 1986, the company founded Nestlé Nespresso S.A. The British confectionery company Rowntree Mackintosh was acquired in 1988 for $4.5 billion, which brought brands such as Kit Kat, Rolo, Smarties, and Aero.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/24/business/rowntree-accepts-bid-by-nestle.html|title=Rowntree Accepts Bid By Nestle|last=Ap|date=24 June 1988|work=The New York Times|access-date=16 January 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=3 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303230109/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/06/24/business/rowntree-accepts-bid-by-nestle.html|url-status=live}}

The first half of the 1990s proved to be favourable for Nestlé. Trade barriers crumbled, and world markets developed into more or less integrated trading areas. Since 1996, there have been various acquisitions, including San Pellegrino (1997), D'Onofrio (1997), Spillers Petfoods (1998), and Ralston Purina (2002). There were two major acquisitions in North America, both in 2002 – in June, Nestlé merged its US ice cream business into Dreyer's, and in August, a {{US$|2.6{{nbsp}}billion|link=yes}} acquisition was announced of Chef America, the creator of Hot Pockets. In the same time-frame, Nestlé entered in a joint bid with Cadbury and came close to purchasing the American company Hershey's, one of its fiercest confectionery competitors, but the deal eventually fell through.{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/1e5450d2-2be5-11df-8033-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3PhCW9iAy |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210221231/https://www.ft.com/content/1e5450d2-2be5-11df-8033-00144feabdc0#axzz3PhCW9iAy |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |title=The inside story of the Cadbury takeover |newspaper=Financial Times |access-date=5 August 2015 |url-status=live }}

In 1999, Nestlé sold the Findus brand to the Swedish firm EQT AB.{{cite news |date=17 April 1999 |title=Swedish keen to fish Findus from plughole |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5245/is_7401_222/ai_n28750359/ |access-date=13 January 2011 |publisher=BNET}}{{cite news |date=25 October 1999 |title=A&O and CC advise on Nestle Findus sell-off |url=http://www.thelawyer.com/ao-and-cc-advise-on-nestle-findus-sell-off/87641.article |access-date=9 February 2013 |publisher=The Lawyer}}

In December 2005, Nestlé bought the Greek company Delta Ice Cream for €240 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/greeceacquisitiondeltaicecream-19dec05|title=Nestlé To Acquire Greek-Based Delta Ice Cream|website=Nestlé Global|date=19 December 2005|access-date=10 August 2021|archive-date=10 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810200254/https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/greeceacquisitiondeltaicecream-19dec05|url-status=live}} In January 2006, it took full ownership of Dreyer's, thus becoming the world's largest ice cream maker, with a 17.5% market share.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4627810.stm |title=Nestlé takes world ice cream lead |work=BBC News |date=19 January 2006 |access-date=22 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203091304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4627810.stm |archive-date=3 February 2012 |url-status=live }} In June 2006, Nestlé purchased weight-loss company Jenny Craig for {{US$|600{{nbsp}}million}}.{{Cite news |date=20 June 2006 |title=Jenny Craig Brings 5 Times Its Price in '02 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/20/business/20diet.html |access-date=12 March 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=12 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230312013456/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/20/business/20diet.html |url-status=live }} In July 2007, completing a deal announced the year before, Nestlé acquired the Medical Nutrition division of Novartis Pharmaceutical for {{US$|2.5{{nbsp}}billion}} and also acquiring the milk-flavoring product known as Ovaltine, the "Boost" and "Resource" lines of nutritional supplements, and Optifast dieting products.{{cite news|title=Nestlé completes takeover of Novartis food unit – SWI swissinfo.ch|url=http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/nestl%C3%A9-completes-takeover-of-novartis-food-unit/5980750|work=SWI – the international service of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation|date=2 July 2007|access-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026081047/http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/nestl%C3%A9-completes-takeover-of-novartis-food-unit/5980750|archive-date=26 October 2016|url-status=live}}

File:Nestlé1.jpg, inaugurates a factory in Feira de Santana (Bahia), in February 2007.]]

In April 2007, returning to its roots, Nestlé bought US baby-food manufacturer Gerber for {{US$|5.5{{nbsp}}billion}}.{{cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2007/04/12/news/international/bc.gerber.nestle.reut/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417052255/https://money.cnn.com/2007/04/12/news/international/bc.gerber.nestle.reut/index.htm|archive-date=17 April 2007|title=Nestlé to buy Gerber for $5.5B |publisher=CNN |date=12 April 2007 |access-date=12 April 2007 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2007/1118074.shtml|title=Novartis completes its business portfolio restructuring, divesting Gerber for USD 5.5 billion to Nestlé|date=12 April 2007|publisher=Novartis|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081224075835/http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2007/1118074.shtml|archive-date=24 December 2008|access-date=2 September 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2007/1150584.shtml |title=Media releases |publisher=Novartis.com |date=3 September 2007 |access-date=8 January 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090109200417/http://www.novartis.com/newsroom/media-releases/en/2007/1150584.shtml |archive-date=9 January 2009 }} In December 2007, Nestlé entered into a strategic partnership with a Belgian chocolate maker, Pierre Marcolini.(Press release) [http://www.nestle.com/Media/PressReleases/Pages/AllPressRelease.aspx?Name=PMarcolini13Dec07News&PressReleaseYear=2007&Title=Nestl%C3%A9%20enters%20into%20strategic%20partnership%20with%20Belgian%20luxury%20chocolate%20maker%20Pierre%20Marcolini&PageName=2007.aspx Nestlé enters into strategic partnership with Belgian luxury chocolate maker Pierre Marcolini] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320072902/http://www.nestle.com/Media/PressReleases/Pages/AllPressRelease.aspx?Name=PMarcolini13Dec07News&PressReleaseYear=2007&Title=Nestl%C3%A9%20enters%20into%20strategic%20partnership%20with%20Belgian%20luxury%20chocolate%20maker%20Pierre%20Marcolini&PageName=2007.aspx |date=20 March 2012 }}. Nestlé retrieved from it 23 March 2011.

In late September 2008, the Hong Kong government found melamine in a Chinese-made Nestlé milk product. Six infants died from kidney damage, and a further 860 babies were hospitalised.{{cite news |last=McDonald |first=Scott |date=22 September 2008 |title=Nearly 53,000 Chinese children sick from milk |url=http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iCL58EMBN1tqq6xujZlsaITAFpCQD93BHE880 |agency=Associated Press}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news |last=Macartney |first=Jane |date=22 September 2008 |title=China baby milk scandal spreads as sick toll rises to 13,000 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/china-baby-milk-scandal-spreads-as-sick-toll-rises-to-13000-jlxdmrsk9qd |access-date=2 April 2010 |work=The Times |location=London}} The following June, an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 was linked to Nestlé's refrigerated cookie dough originating in a plant in Danville, Virginia.{{cite news |title=FDA confirms E. coli found in Nestle cookie dough |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE55T0TY/ |work=Reuters}}

Nestlé agreed to sell its controlling stake in Alcon to Novartis on 4 January 2010. The sale was to form part of a broader {{US$|39.3{{nbsp}}billion}} offer by Novartis for full acquisition of the world's largest eye-care company.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6030RK20100104|title=Novartis seeks to buy rest of Alcon for $39 billion|last=Thomasson|first=Emma|date=4 January 2010|work=Reuters|access-date=4 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122084106/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6030RK20100104|archive-date=22 January 2010|url-status=live}} On March 2, 2010, Nestlé completed the purchase of Kraft Foods's North American frozen pizza business for {{US$|3.7{{nbsp}}billion}}, which included brands such as DiGiorno, Tombstone, and California Pizza Kitchen.{{cite news | last=Cage | first=Sam | title=Nestle buys Kraft pizza business for $3.7 billion | date=January 4, 2010 | url=https://www.reuters.com/article/business/nestle-buys-kraft-pizza-business-for-37-billion-idUSTRE6040X1/ | work=reuters.com }}{{cite web | title=Nestlé completes acquisition of Kraft Foods' frozen pizza business | date=March 2, 2010 | url=https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/frozenpizzabusiness | work=nestle.com }}

Since 2010, Nestlé has been working to transform itself into a nutrition, health and wellness company in an effort to combat declining confectionery sales and the threat of expanding government regulation of such foods. This effort is being led through the Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences under the direction of Ed Baetge. The institute aims to develop "a new industry between food and pharmaceuticals" by creating foodstuffs with preventive and corrective health properties that would replace pharmaceutical drugs from pill bottles. The Health Science branch has already produced several products, such as drinks and protein shakes meant to combat malnutrition, diabetes, digestive health, obesity, and other diseases.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-05-05/nestl-s-sugar-empire-is-on-a-health-kick|title=Nestlé Wants to Sell You Both Sugary Snacks and Diabetes Pills|last1=Campbell|first1=Matthew|last2=Gretler|first2=Corinne|website=Bloomberg.com|date=5 May 2016|access-date=22 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160723000151/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-05-05/nestl-s-sugar-empire-is-on-a-health-kick|archive-date=23 July 2016|url-status=live}}

It acquired British pharmaceutical company Vitaflo, which makes clinical nutritional products for people with genetic disorders, in August 2010.{{Cite web |date=2010-08-02 |title=Nestlé to enter global market for clinical nutrition products |url=https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/nestl%C3%A9-enter-fast-growing-global-market-clinical-nutrition-products-inherited-metabolic-disorders |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.nestle.com |language=en}} In July 2011, Nestlé SA agreed to buy 60 percent of Hsu Fu Chi International Ltd. for about {{US$|1.7{{nbsp}}billion}}.{{cite news | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-11/nestle-to-buy-60-stake-in-chinese-snack-maker-hsu-fu-chi-for-1-7-billion.html | work=Bloomberg | title=Nestlé to Buy 60% Stake in Hsu Fu Chi for .7 Billion | date=11 July 2011 | access-date=10 March 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230170925/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-11/nestle-to-buy-60-stake-in-chinese-snack-maker-hsu-fu-chi-for-1-7-billion.html | archive-date=30 December 2014 | url-status=live }} On 23 April 2012, Nestlé agreed to acquire Pfizer Inc.'s infant-nutrition, formerly Wyeth Nutrition, unit for {{US$|11.9{{nbsp}}billion}}, topping a joint bid from Danone and Mead Johnson.[https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-23/nestle-agrees-to-buy-pfizer-baby-food-unit-for-11-9-billion-1-.html "Nestlé to Acquire Pfizer Baby Food Unit for $11.9 Billion"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230170656/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-23/nestle-agrees-to-buy-pfizer-baby-food-unit-for-11-9-billion-1-.html |date=30 December 2014 }}. Bloomberg, 23 April 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140314/BLOGS10/140319820/mead-johnson-nutrition-co-is-a-prize-catch-in-the-baby-formula-business|title=Mead Johnson looks tasty, but Abbott may have to pass|date=13 March 2014|website=Crain's Chicago Business|access-date=26 March 2022|archive-date=23 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423091334/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140314/BLOGS10/140319820/mead-johnson-nutrition-co-is-a-prize-catch-in-the-baby-formula-business|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/consumer/2012/04/nestl%C3%A9-buy-pfizer-nutrition-1185bn|title=Nestlé to buy Pfizer Nutrition for $11.85bn|publisher=NewStatesman|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032603/http://www.newstatesman.com/consumer/2012/04/nestl%C3%A9-buy-pfizer-nutrition-1185bn|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live}}

In recent years, Nestlé Health Science has made several acquisitions: CM&D Pharma Ltd., a company that specialises in the development of products for patients with chronic conditions like kidney disease; and Prometheus Laboratories, a firm specialising in treatments for gastrointestinal diseases and cancer. It also holds a minority stake in Vital Foods, a New Zealand-based company that develops kiwifruit-based food products as of 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/nestle-acquires-stake-in-brain-food-company-2379749|title=Nestle Acquires Stake in "Brain Food" Company|newspaper=LA Weekly|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032603/http://www.laweekly.com/restaurants/nestle-acquires-stake-in-brain-food-company-2379749|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live}}

Nestlé sold its Jenny Craig business unit to North Castle Partners in 2013.{{cite news |last=Rizzo |first=Lillian |date=16 July 2014 |title=PE Deals for Weight Loss Brands Face Shifting Diet Demographics |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/privateequity/2014/07/16/pe-deals-for-weight-loss-brands-face-shifting-diet-demographics/ |url-status=dead |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032603/http://blogs.wsj.com/privateequity/2014/07/16/pe-deals-for-weight-loss-brands-face-shifting-diet-demographics/ |archive-date=3 January 2016}} In February 2013, Nestlé Health Science bought Pamlab, which makes medical foods based on L-methylfolate targeting depression, diabetes, and memory loss.{{cite web|url=http://www.nutraingredients.com/Suppliers2/Nestle-buys-Louisiana-depression-food-firm|title=Nestlé buys Louisiana depression food firm|date=27 February 2013 |publisher=Nutra|access-date=5 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215428/http://www.nutraingredients.com/Suppliers2/Nestle-buys-Louisiana-depression-food-firm|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}} In February 2014, Nestlé sold its PowerBar sports nutrition business to Post Holdings, Inc.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303942404579360552164811352?autologin=y|title=Nestlé Sells PowerBar Brand|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032603/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303942404579360552164811352?autologin=y|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live}} Later, in November 2014, Nestlé announced that it was exploring strategic options for its frozen food subsidiary, Davigel.{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-explores-sale-of-frozen-food-unit-davigel-1415964399|title=Nestlé Explores Sale of Frozen Food Unit Davigel|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032603/http://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-explores-sale-of-frozen-food-unit-davigel-1415964399|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live}}

In December 2014, Nestlé announced that it was opening 10 skin care research centres worldwide, deepening its investment in a faster-growing market for healthcare products. That year, Nestlé spent about $350 million on dermatology research and development. The first of the research hubs, Nestlé Skin Health Investigation, Education and Longevity Development (SHIELD) centres, will open mid 2015 in New York, followed by Hong Kong and São Paulo, and later others in North America, Asia, and Europe. The initiative is being launched in partnership with the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA), a consortium that includes companies such as Intel and Bank of America.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-skincare-idUSKBN0JP06F20141211|title=Nestle invests more in skin care strategy with 10 research centers|work=Reuters|access-date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215428/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/12/11/us-nestle-skincare-idUSKBN0JP06F20141211|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}

In May 2015, food safety regulators from the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, found that samples of Nestlé India's Maggi noodles had up to 17 times more than the permissible safe amount of lead, in addition to monosodium glutamate.{{cite news |date=18 May 2015 |title=Beware! Eating 2 -Minute Maggi Noodles can ruin your Nervous System |url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2015/05/beware-eating-2-minute-maggi-noodles-can-ruin-your-nervous-system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521005237/http://news.biharprabha.com/2015/05/beware-eating-2-minute-maggi-noodles-can-ruin-your-nervous-system/ |archive-date=21 May 2015 |access-date=18 May 2015 |publisher=news.biharprabha.com}}{{cite news |date=20 May 2015 |title=Maggi Noodles Packets Recalled Across Uttar Pradesh, Say Food Inspectors: Report |url=http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/maggi-noodles-packets-recalled-across-uttar-pradesh-say-food-inspectors-764729 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525204803/http://m.ndtv.com/india-news/maggi-noodles-packets-recalled-across-uttar-pradesh-say-food-inspectors-764729 |archive-date=25 May 2015 |access-date=20 May 2015 |work=NDTV |location=New Delhi, India}}{{cite news |last=Sushmi Dey |date=16 May 2015 |title='Maggi' under regulatory scanner for lead, MSG beyond permissible limit |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maggi-under-regulatory-scanner-for-lead-MSG-beyond-permissible-limit/articleshow/47304615.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526230502/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maggi-under-regulatory-scanner-for-lead-MSG-beyond-permissible-limit/articleshow/47304615.cms |archive-date=26 May 2015 |access-date=20 May 2015 |work=The Times of India |location=New Delhi, India}}

In January 2017, Nestlé announced that it was relocating its US headquarters from Glendale, California, to Rosslyn, Virginia, outside of Washington, DC.{{cite news|url=https://www.arlnow.com/2017/02/01/nestle-to-move-u-s-headquarters-to-rosslyn/|title=Nestle Nestlé to Move U.S. Headquarters to Rosslyn|publisher=ArlNow|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201200533/https://www.arlnow.com/2017/02/01/nestle-to-move-u-s-headquarters-to-rosslyn/|archive-date=1 February 2017|url-status=live}}

In March 2017, Nestlé announced that they will lower the sugar content in Kit Kat, Yorkie and Aero chocolate bars by 10% by 2018.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39201985|title=Kit Kat sugar content to be cut by 10%, says Nestle|work=BBC News|date=8 March 2017|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528012510/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-39201985|archive-date=28 May 2018|url-status=live}} In July, a similar announcement followed concerning the reduction of sugar content in its breakfast cereals in the UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/nestle-cheerios-shreddies-cut-sugar-breakfast-cereals-pledge-health-lifestyle-a7823111.html|title=Shreddies are about to get a lot healthier|date=4 July 2017|work=The Independent|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724025253/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/nestle-cheerios-shreddies-cut-sugar-breakfast-cereals-pledge-health-lifestyle-a7823111.html|archive-date=24 July 2017|url-status=live}}

The company announced a $20.8 billion share buyback in June 2017, following the publication of a letter written by Third Point Management founder Daniel S. Loeb, Nestlé's fourth-largest stakeholder with a $3.5 billion stake,{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-thirdpoint-idUSKBN19I2AC|title=Nestle plans $20.8 billion share buyback amid Third Point pressure|date=27 June 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=24 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718193930/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-thirdpoint-idUSKBN19I2AC|archive-date=18 July 2017|url-status=live}} explaining how the firm should change its business structure.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-plans-20-8-billion-share-buyback-over-the-next-3-years-1498581756|title=Nestlé Plans Share Buyback After Pressure From Third Point|last1=Chaudhuri|first1=Saabira|date=27 June 2017|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=24 July 2017|last2=Blackstone|first2=Brian|issn=0099-9660|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724001902/https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-plans-20-8-billion-share-buyback-over-the-next-3-years-1498581756|archive-date=24 July 2017|url-status=live}} Consequently, the firm will reportedly focus investment on sectors such as coffee and pet care and will seek acquisitions in the consumer health-care industry.

In 2016, Nestlé and PAI Partners establish a joint venture, Froneri, to combine the two companies' ice cream activities throughout Europe and other international countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/nestle-rr-joint-venture-froneri|title=Nestlé and R&R to create Froneri, an ice cream and frozen food joint venture|website=Nestlé Global|date=27 April 2016|language=en|access-date=12 January 2020|archive-date=12 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112064953/https://www.nestle.com/media/pressreleases/allpressreleases/nestle-rr-joint-venture-froneri|url-status=live}}

In March 2017, Nestlé and Coca-Cola agreed to dissolve the Beverage Partners Worldwide venture effective on January 1, 2018, in part because Nestlé wanted to expand Nestea on its own.{{cite web |date=2017-03-07 |title=Nestlé, Coca-Cola end the Beverage Partners Worldwide joint venture |url=https://www.ift.org/news-and-publications/news/2017/march/07/nestle-coca-cola-end-the-beverage-partners-worldwide-joint-venture |access-date=2022-05-15 |publisher=IFT}}

In July 2017, Nestlé introduced a new type of infant formula in Spain, containing two human milk oligosaccharides.{{cite web|last=dairyreporter.com|title=Nestlé Spain develops first infant formula with two breast milk oligosaccharides|url=https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2017/07/05/Nestle-Spain-develops-formula-with-two-breast-milk-oligosaccharides|access-date=16 February 2022|website=dairyreporter.com|date=4 July 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201011856/https://www.dairyreporter.com/Article/2017/07/05/Nestle-Spain-develops-formula-with-two-breast-milk-oligosaccharides|url-status=live}} Oligosaccharides are the third most abundant components of breast milk with various health benefits, but previously were not part of infant formula.

In September 2017, Nestlé S.A. acquired a majority stake of Blue Bottle Coffee.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-14/nestle-buys-majority-stake-in-u-s-coffee-roaster-blue-bottle|title=Nestle Is Said to Pay $425 Million to Buy Blue Bottle Coffee|work=Bloombery Business|date=14 September 2017|access-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919164040/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-14/nestle-buys-majority-stake-in-u-s-coffee-roaster-blue-bottle|archive-date=19 September 2017|url-status=live}} While the deal's financial details were not disclosed, the Financial Times reported "Nestlé is understood to be paying up to $500m for the 68 per cent stake in Blue Bottle".{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/8fccb91a-9943-11e7-a652-cde3f882dd7b|title=Nestlé breaks into US hipster coffee market with Blue Bottle deal|date=14 September 2017|first1=Ralph|last1=Atkins|first2=Tim|last2=Bradshaw|website=Financial Times|access-date=20 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921090414/https://www.ft.com/content/8fccb91a-9943-11e7-a652-cde3f882dd7b|archive-date=21 September 2017|url-status=live}}

In September 2017, Nestlé USA agreed to acquire Sweet Earth, a California-based producer of plant-based foods, for an undisclosed sum.{{cite web|url=https://www.foodbev.com/news/nestle-usa-agrees-deal-for-meat-alternatives-brand-sweet-earth/|title=Nestlé agrees to acquire plant-based food brand Sweet Earth|website=Food Bev Media|access-date=20 September 2017|date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921051431/https://www.foodbev.com/news/nestle-usa-agrees-deal-for-meat-alternatives-brand-sweet-earth/|archive-date=21 September 2017|url-status=live}}

Nestlé set a new profit target in September 2017 and agreed to offload over 20 of its US candy brands in January 2018. However, sales grew only 2.4% in 2017, and as of July 2018, the share price declined more than 8%. While some suggestions were adopted, Loeb said in a July 2018 letter that the shifts are too small and too slow. In a statement, Nestlé wrote that it was "delivering results" and listed actions it had taken, including investing in key brands and its global coffee partnership with Starbucks. However, activist investors disagreed, leading Third Point Management to launch NestleNOW, a website to push its case with recommendations calling for change, accusing Nestlé of not being as fast, aggressive, or strategic as it needs to be. Activist investors called for Nestlé to divide into three units with distinct CEOs, regional structures, and marketing heads - beverage, nutrition, and grocery; spin off more businesses that do not fit its model such as ice cream, frozen foods, and confectionery; and add an outsider with expertise in the food and beverage industry to the board.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-thirdpoint-idUSKBN1JR26K |title=Loeb pressures Nestle for more sales, restructuring |date=2 July 2018 |via=www.reuters.com |newspaper=Reuters |access-date=22 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422215407/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-thirdpoint-idUSKBN1JR26K |archive-date=22 April 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Mullen |first=Jethro |url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/07/02/investing/nestle-dan-loeb-third-point/index.html |title=Nestle: Hedge fund billionaire Dan Loeb slams 'muddled' strategy |work=Money.cnn.com |date=2 July 2018 |access-date=25 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809030101/https://money.cnn.com/2018/07/02/investing/nestle-dan-loeb-third-point/index.html |archive-date=9 August 2018 |url-status=live }}

In January 2018, Nestlé USA announced it was selling its US confectionary business, including the 100 Grand, BabyRuth, Butterfinger, OhHenry!, Raisinets and SnoCaps to Ferrara Candy Company, an American-based chocolate and candy maker and Ferrero-related company.{{Cite news |title=Nestle is selling its U.S. candy business to Ferrero for about $2.8 billion |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/01/16/nestle-selling-its-u-s-candy-business-ferrero-2-9-b/1036675001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116201658/https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2018/01/16/nestle-selling-its-u-s-candy-business-ferrero-2-9-b/1036675001/ |archive-date=16 January 2018 |access-date=17 January 2018 |work=USA TODAY |language=en}} The company was sold for a total of an estimated $2.8 billion.

In May 2018, it was announced that Nestlé and Starbucks struck a $7.15 billion distribution deal, which allows Nestlé to market, sell and distribute Starbucks coffee globally and to incorporate the brand's coffee varieties into Nestlé's proprietary single-serve system, expanding the overseas markets for both companies.[https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2018/05/07/nestle-and-starbucks-do-a-deal-but-will-it-work-in-the-long-term/#169841c040eb "Nestlé And Starbucks Agree To A $7B Distribution Deal, But Will It Work In The Long Term?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507234855/https://www.forbes.com/sites/richardkestenbaum/2018/05/07/nestle-and-starbucks-do-a-deal-but-will-it-work-in-the-long-term/#169841c040eb|date=7 May 2018}}" Forbes Big Business. Retrieved 7 May 2018.

In September 2018, Nestlé announced that it would sell Gerber Life Insurance for $1.55 billion.{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-to-sell-gerber-life-insurance-to-western-southern-financial-1537222977|title=Nestlé to Sell Gerber Life Insurance to Western & Southern Financial|last1=Scism|first1=Leslie|date=17 September 2018|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=18 September 2018|last2=Barba|first2=Robert|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918033028/https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-to-sell-gerber-life-insurance-to-western-southern-financial-1537222977|archive-date=18 September 2018|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/nestle-to-sell-gerber-life-insurance-for-155-billion-2018-09-17|title=Nestlé to sell Gerber Life Insurance for $1.55 billion|last=Assis|first=Claudia|work=MarketWatch|access-date=18 September 2018|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180917224957/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/nestle-to-sell-gerber-life-insurance-for-155-billion-2018-09-17|archive-date=17 September 2018|url-status=live}}

In October 2018, Nestlé announced the launch of the Nestlé Alumni Network, through a strategic partnership with SAP & EnterpriseAlumni, to engage with their over 1 million alumni globally.{{cite web |url=https://alumni.nestle.com/ |title=Archived copy |access-date=6 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719123418/https://alumni.nestle.com/ |archive-date=19 July 2019 |url-status=live }}

In 2019, the company announced that it would publish Nutri-Score on all of its products sold in the European countries that supported the nutritional label.{{cite web |url=https://www.just-food.com/news/nestle-to-adopt-nutri-score-labelling-system-in-continental-europe_id141730.aspx |title=Nestle to adopt Nutri-Score labelling system in continental Europe | Food Industry News | just-food |website=www.just-food.com |access-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115110453/https://www.just-food.com/news/nestle-to-adopt-nutri-score-labelling-system-in-continental-europe_id141730.aspx |archive-date=15 January 2021 |url-status=dead}}

In 2020, Nestlé USA's and Nestlé Canada's ice cream divisions were acquired by Froneri.{{Cite web|url=https://www.froneri.com/news/froneri-moves-towards-global-leadership-with-acquisition-of-nestl%C3%A9-usa-s-ice-cream-business/|title=Froneri acquisition of Nestle USA|website=www.froneri.com|access-date=11 January 2020|archive-date=23 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200323153550/https://www.froneri.com/news/froneri-moves-towards-global-leadership-with-acquisition-of-nestl%C3%A9-usa-s-ice-cream-business/|url-status=live}} Also during that year, Nestlé announced that the company wants to invest in plant-based food, starting with a "tuna salad" and meat-free products to engage and reach younger and vegan consumers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/03590608-4e2e-11ea-95a0-43d18ec715f5 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221210/https://www.ft.com/content/03590608-4e2e-11ea-95a0-43d18ec715f5 |archive-date=10 December 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Nestlé eyes 'once in a generation' plant-based opportunity|first=Judith|last=Evans|date=13 February 2020|newspaper=Financial Times|access-date=18 February 2020}}

On 16 February 2021, Nestlé announced that it had agreed to sell its water brands in the US and Canada to One Rock Capital Partners and Metropoulos & Co. The sale would include the spring water and mountain brands, the purified water brand and the delivery service. The plan did not include the Perrier, S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna brands.{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/17/nestle-to-sell-north-american-water-brands-for-4point3-billion.html |title=One Rock and Metropoulos & Co. to acquire Nestlé Waters North America |date=17 February 2021 |work=CNBC |access-date=18 February 2021 |quote= |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217120138/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/17/nestle-to-sell-north-american-water-brands-for-4point3-billion.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/nestle-water-bottling-operations-sold-to-equity-firm-for-43-billion-3436091 |title=Nestlé water-bottling operations sold to equity firm for $4.3 billion |date=17 February 2021 |work=CTV News |access-date=18 February 2021 |quote= |archive-date=18 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218003415/https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/nestle-water-bottling-operations-sold-to-equity-firm-for-43-billion-3436091 |url-status=live }} In early April 2021, the sale was concluded.{{cite web|url=https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/nestle-waters-sale-finalized-and-a-day-later-ontario-lifts-moratorium-on-permits-3597877|title=Archeological Find Unearthed in Kitchener|date=2 April 2021|access-date=2 April 2021|quote=The 4.3 billion U.S. dollar sale of Nestle Waters North America to One Rock Capital Partners LLC was announced in February and the sale closed on Wednesday|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504232117/https://www.guelphtoday.com/local-news/nestle-waters-sale-finalized-and-a-day-later-ontario-lifts-moratorium-on-permits-3597877?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Email|url-status=live}}

The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect Nestlé negatively. Due to lockdowns, people bought more packaged foods, not only coffee and dairy products, but also pet products, which increased the company's sales. Nestlé recorded its strongest quarterly sales growth in 10 years.{{cite web|date=22 April 2021|title=Coffee, dairy help Nestle post strongest quarter in a decade|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/coffee-dairy-help-nestle-beat-expectations-q1-2021-04-22/|access-date=22 April 2021|website=Reuters|archive-date=22 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210422065529/https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/coffee-dairy-help-nestle-beat-expectations-q1-2021-04-22/|url-status=live}}

In April 2021, Nestlé agreed to purchase the vitamin manufacturing Bountiful Company, formerly known as The Nature's Bounty Co., for $5.75 billion, noting as well that much of the company's{{Which|date=February 2024}} growth that quarter came from "vitamins, minerals, and supplements that support health and the immune system". Bountiful's brands included Nature's Bounty, Solgar, Osteo Bi-Flex, and Puritan's Pride.{{Cite news|last=Kostov|first=Nick|date=30 April 2021|title=Nestlé Expands in Vitamins With $5.75 Billion Nature's Bounty Deal|language=en-US|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-expands-in-vitamins-with-5-75-billion-natures-bounty-deal-11619778234|access-date=30 April 2021|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430102731/https://www.wsj.com/articles/nestle-expands-in-vitamins-with-5-75-billion-natures-bounty-deal-11619778234|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=30 April 2021|title=Nestle buys vitamin maker Bountiful's main brands for $5.75 billion|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/30/nestle-buys-vitamin-maker-bountifuls-main-brands-for-5point75-billion.html|access-date=30 April 2021|website=CNBC|language=en|archive-date=30 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210430110628/https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/30/nestle-buys-vitamin-maker-bountifuls-main-brands-for-5point75-billion.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=30 April 2021|title=Nestle to Buy Vitamin Brands From KKR for $5.75 Billion|language=en|work=Bloomberg.com|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-04-30/nestle-to-buy-nature-s-bounty-owner-from-kkr-for-5-75-billion|access-date=30 April 2021}}

In July 2021, Vitaflo International Ltd. (subsidiary to Nestlé Health Science since 2010) acquired the Dr. Schär brands, Mevalia and ComidaMed, which are used for the dietary management of IEM and cow's milk protein allergy to complement Vitaflo's existing IEM product portfolio.{{Cite web |title=NHSc to acquire the Mevalia® and ComidaMed® brands from Dr. Schär |url=https://www.nestlehealthscience.com/vitaflo/announcement |access-date=2024-04-08 |website=www.nestlehealthscience.com}}

In January 2022, Nestlé announced that it would pay African cocoa farmers cash if they send their children to school.{{cite web|title=Nestlé will pay African cocoa farmers to keep children in schools|url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/nestl%C3%A9-will-pay-african-cocoa-farmers-to-keep-children-in-schools-/47298724|access-date=28 January 2022|website=SWI swissinfo.ch|date=27 January 2022|language=en|archive-date=28 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128024341/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/nestl%C3%A9-will-pay-african-cocoa-farmers-to-keep-children-in-schools-/47298724|url-status=live}}

In May 2022, it was announced Nestlé's Health Science unit had acquired the Brazilian organic, natural, plant-based food maker Puravida.{{Cite web |title=Nestlé To Acquire Brazilian Plant-Based Firm Puravida |url=https://www.esmmagazine.com/a-brands/nestle-to-acquire-brazilian-plant-based-firm-puravida-174536 |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=ESM Magazine |date=24 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=24 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524074608/https://www.esmmagazine.com/a-brands/nestle-to-acquire-brazilian-plant-based-firm-puravida-174536 |url-status=live }}

In May 2022, Nestlé was sending baby formula supplies to the U.S. from European air bases to ease the 2022 United States infant formula shortage. These relief shipments included products from the Gerber baby food formula brand from the Netherlands and Alfamino baby formula from Switzerland.[https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20220518/nestle-flying-in-baby-formula-ease-us-shortage "Nestle Flying in Baby Formula to Ease U.S. Shortage"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605014011/https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/news/20220518/nestle-flying-in-baby-formula-ease-us-shortage |date=5 June 2022 }}. webmd.com. Retrieved 4 June 2022.

In September 2023, it was announced Nestlé had acquired a majority stake in the Extrema, Minas Gerais-headquartered premium chocolate manufacturer, Grupo CRM for an undisclosed amount.{{Cite web |last=Egginton |first=Tess |date=7 September 2023 |title=Nestlé to acquire majority stake in Brazilian premium chocolate company |url=https://www.fdiforum.net/mag/production/nestle-to-acquire-majority-stake-in-brazilian-premium-chocolate-company/ |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=Food & Drink International |language=en-GB}}

Following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the company continued doing business in Russia; therefore in November 2023, Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention listed Nestlé as an International Sponsor of War. Nestle stated that it had already "halted all non-essential imports and exports to and from Russia".{{Cite news |date=2 November 2023 |title=Ukraine labels Nestlé a 'sponsor' of Russia's war of aggression |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/ukraine-labels-nestl%C3%A9-a-sponsor-of-russia-s-war-of-aggression/48946316 |work=SWI swissinfo}}

In February 2024, it was announced Nestle is expanding manufacturing capacity in India and increasing investments — the company will invest between ₹60-65 billion ($723–783 million) from 2020 to 2025.{{Cite news |date=8 February 2024 |title=Nestle investing Rs 6,000-6,500 cr to expand manufacturing ops in India, says top official |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/nestle-investing-rs-6000-6500-cr-to-expand-manufacturing-ops-in-india-says-top-official/articleshow/107532002.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240209050230/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fmcg/nestle-investing-rs-6000-6500-cr-to-expand-manufacturing-ops-in-india-says-top-official/articleshow/107532002.cms |archive-date=2024-02-09 |access-date=2024-02-26 |website=The Economic Times |language=en}}

Nestlé announced Schneider would leave his position as CEO and be replaced by Laurent Freixe on September 1, 2024.{{Cite web |last1=Agnew |first1=Harriet |last2=Speed |first2=Madeleine |date=23 August 2024 |title=Nestlé chief executive Mark Schneider to step down |url=https://www.ft.com/content/b2bfa1d7-e34b-46d6-bbeb-42bb6ea28720 |access-date=2024-08-23 |website=www.ft.com}}

On May 2025, Nestle acquired an minority stake in Drools Pet Food in India.{{Cite web |last= |title=Nestle SA acquires minority stake in Drools Pet Food |url=https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/food-entertainment/personal-care-pet-supplies-liquor/nestle-sa-acquires-minority-stake-in-drools-pet-food/121410289 |access-date=2025-06-08 |website=ETRetail.com |language=en}}

File:1812 North Moore.jpg in Arlington, Virginia]]

File:Kobe Nestle Japan HQ02ss3000.jpg]]

Nestlé is the biggest food company in the world, with a market capitalisation of roughly 231 billion Swiss francs, which is more than US$247 billion as of May 2015.[https://www.forbes.com/companies/nestle/ Forbes list of world's top companies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803053450/https://www.forbes.com/companies/nestle/ |date=3 August 2017 }} Retrieved 20 May 2015. Nestlé has a primary listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange and is a constituent of the Swiss Market Index. It previously had a secondary listing on Euronext.

In 2014, consolidated sales were CHF 91.61 billion and net profit was CHF 14.46{{nbsp}}billion. Research and development investment was CHF 1.63{{nbsp}}billion.[http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/NSRGY/financials MarketWatch page on Nestlé S.A. ADS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150521073530/http://www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/NSRGY/financials |date=21 May 2015 }} Retrieved 20 May 2015.

• Sales per category in CHF[http://www.nestle.com/jobs/pages/jobs.aspx Jobs] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109061450/http://www.nestle.com/jobs/pages/jobs.aspx |date=9 January 2015 }} Nestlé, global info
• 20.3 billion powdered and liquid beverages
• 16.7 billion milk products and ice cream
• 13.5 billion prepared dishes and cooking aids
• 13.1 billion nutrition and health science
• 11.3 billion pet care
• 9.6 billion confectionery
• 6.9 billion water
• Percentage of sales by geographic area breakdown
• 43% from Americas
• 28% from Europe
• 29% from Asia, Oceania and Africa

According to a 2015 global survey of online consumers by the Reputation Institute, Nestlé has a reputation score of 74.5 on a scale of 1 to 100.{{cite web |url=https://www.reputationinstitute.com/CMSPages/GetAzureFile.aspx?path=~\media\media\documents\2015-rt100-release-report_1.pdf&hash=3b3228f58538a41817e42e2c460328edbbd716c2bc0391a881d58b6da385934e&ext=.pdf |publisher=Reputation Institute |title=The Global RepTrak 100: The World's Most Reputable Companies (2015) |access-date=5 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124316/https://www.reputationinstitute.com/CMSPages/GetAzureFile.aspx?path=~%5Cmedia%5Cmedia%5Cdocuments%5C2015-rt100-release-report_1.pdf&hash=3b3228f58538a41817e42e2c460328edbbd716c2bc0391a881d58b6da385934e&ext=.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2016 }}

| caption= Capital ownership of Nestlé by country of origin as of 2023:{{cite report |author=Nestle |title=Nestle annual review 2023 |url=https://www.nestle.com/sites/default/files/2024-02/2023-annual-review-en.pdf |publisher=Nestle |page=57 |access-date=13 May 2024}}

| label1 = Switzerland

| value1 = 46.6

| color1 = red

| label2 = United States

| value2 = 31.2

| color2 = blue

| label3 = All others

| value3 = 22.2

| color3 = green

}}

Joint ventures include:

• Cereal Partners Worldwide with General Mills (50%/50%){{cite web|url=http://generalmills.com/Company/Businesses/International/Joint_ventures.aspx|title=General Mills: Joint ventures|access-date=25 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215094448/http://www.generalmills.com/Company/Businesses/International/Joint_ventures.aspx|archive-date=15 December 2014|url-status=dead}}
• Beverage Partners Worldwide with The Coca-Cola Company (50%/50%), closed in 2018.{{cite web |date=6 January 2012 |title=Coke, Nestle part ways on tea in U.S., elsewhere |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-coke-nestle-idUSTRE8051JG20120106 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215428/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/06/us-coke-nestle-idUSTRE8051JG20120106 |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=1 July 2017 |work=Reuters}}
• Froneri with PAI Partners (50%/50%)
• Lactalis Nestlé Produits Frais with Lactalis (40%/60%)[http://www.dairyreporter.com/Markets/Nestle-plans-chilled-dairy-improvement-with-Lactalis-venture "Nestlé plans chilled dairy improvement with Lactalis venture"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529010528/http://www.dairyreporter.com/Markets/Nestle-plans-chilled-dairy-improvement-with-Lactalis-venture |date=29 May 2012 }}, Dairy Reporter, 16 December 2005.
• Nestlé Colgate-Palmolive with Colgate-Palmolive (50%/50%)[http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/kfcwojcwaumh/ "Nestlé and Colgate-Palmolive bite into mouth market"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115200923/http://www.breakingnews.ie/business/kfcwojcwaumh/ |date=15 January 2013 }}, BreakingNews.ie, 11 December 2003.
• Nestlé Indofood Citarasa Indonesia with Indofood (50%/50%){{cite web| url=http://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Markets/Nestle-Indofood-create-culinary-product-JV| title=Nestlé, Indofood create culinary product JV| date=28 February 2005| work=FoodNavigator-Asia.com| access-date=18 May 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116202447/http://www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Markets/Nestle-Indofood-create-culinary-product-JV| archive-date=16 November 2012| url-status=dead}}
• Nestlé Snow with Snow Brand Milk Products (50%/50%)[http://www.foodnavigator.com/Financial-Industry/Snow-Brand-times-thawing-with-Nestle-joint-venture "Snow Brand times thawing with Nestlé joint venture"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524182616/http://www.foodnavigator.com/Financial-Industry/Snow-Brand-times-thawing-with-Nestle-joint-venture |date=24 May 2012 }}, Food Navigator, 24 January 2001.
• Nestlé Modelo with Grupo Modelo
• Dairy Partners America Brasil with Fonterra (51%/49%)

Chief executive officer:{{cite web | url=https://www2.unil.ch/elitessuisses/entite.php?id=entite205 | title=Base de données des élites suisses | Nestlé }}

• 1981-1997 : Helmut Maucher;
• 1997-2008 : Peter Brabeck-Letmathe;
• 2008-2016 : Paul Bulcke;
• 2017-2024 : Ulf Mark Schneider;
• Since 2024 : Laurent Freixe.

As of 2017, the board is composed of:{{cite web |url=http://www.nestle.com/aboutus/management/boardofdirectors |title=Nestle Board |access-date=22 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220013231/http://www.nestle.com/aboutus/management/boardofdirectors |archive-date=20 February 2017 |url-status=live }}

• Paul Bulcke, chairman and former CEO of Nestlé
• Andreas Koopmann, former CEO of Bobst
• Beat Hess, former legal director/general counsel for ABB and Shell
• Renato Fassbind, former CEO of DKSH and former CFO of Credit Suisse
• Steven George Hoch, founder of Highmount Capital
• Naina Lal Kidwai, former CEO of HSBC Bank India, country head for HSBC in India
• Jean-Pierre Roth, former chairman of the Swiss National Bank
• Ann Veneman, former United States Secretary of Agriculture and director of UNICEF
• Henri de Castries, former CEO and chairman of Axa
• Eva Cheng, former executive vice president of China and Southeast Asia for Amway
• Ruth Khasaya Oniang’o, former member of the Parliament of Kenya, current professor at Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy
• Patrick Aebischer, former president of École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

The company engages third party lobbying firms to engage with parliaments and governments in various jurisdictions. For example, in South Australia the company engages Etched Communications.{{Cite web|url=http://www.dpc.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/30117/Etched_Communications_18-December-2017-Change-of-Details.pdf|title=South Australian Register of Lobbyists - Etched Communications|date=18 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413064420/https://dpc.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/30117/Etched_Communications_18-December-2017-Change-of-Details.pdf|archive-date=13 April 2018|url-status=live}} In the US, Nestlé has a strong influence in Washington, D.C. From 2015 to 2020 their average spend on lobbying was $1,951,667 each year.{{Cite web |last1=Doering |first1=Christopher |title=Where the dollars go: Lobbying a big business for large food and beverage CPGs |url=https://www.fooddive.com/news/where-the-dollars-go-lobbying-a-big-business-for-large-food-and-beverage-c/607982/ |department=fooddive.com |publisher=Food Dive |access-date=21 March 2022 |date=6 December 2021 |archive-date=19 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319090710/https://www.fooddive.com/news/where-the-dollars-go-lobbying-a-big-business-for-large-food-and-beverage-c/607982/ |url-status=live }}

{{Main|List of Nestlé brands}}

File:Samples of Nestle Toll House Cafe.JPG

Nestlé currently has over 2,000 brands{{Cite news|url=https://money.cnn.com/2018/01/16/news/companies/nestle-ferrero/index.html|title=Nestle selling U.S. candy brands to Nutella company|last=Smith|first=Aaron|work=CNNMoney|access-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618052711/http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/16/news/companies/nestle-ferrero/index.html|archive-date=18 June 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2016/04/article_0003.html|title=From Milkmaids to Multinational Markets: Nestlé's Branding Story|website=www.wipo.int|language=en|access-date=18 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618052554/http://www.wipo.int/wipo_magazine/en/2016/04/article_0003.html|archive-date=18 June 2018|url-status=live}} with a wide range of products across a number of markets, including coffee, bottled water, milkshakes and other beverages, breakfast cereals, infant foods, performance and healthcare nutrition, seasonings, soups and sauces, frozen and refrigerated foods, and pet food. In 2019, the company entered the plant-based food production business with its Incredible and Awesome Burgers (under the Garden Gourmet and Sweet Earth brands). In 2020, Nestlé announced additional plant-based products including soy-based bratwurst and chorizo-like sausages.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/17/business/nestle-plant-based-sausage/index.html|title=The world's biggest food company is now making vegan sausages|author=Hanna Ziady|website=CNN|date=17 January 2020|access-date=19 January 2020|archive-date=18 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200118224355/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/17/business/nestle-plant-based-sausage/index.html|url-status=live}}

In 1993, plans were made to update and modernise the overall tone of Walt Disney's EPCOT Center, including a major refurbishment of The Land pavilion. Kraft Foods withdrew its sponsorship on 26 September 1993, with Nestlé taking its place. Co-financed by Nestlé and the Walt Disney World Resort, a gradual refurbishment of the pavilion began on 27 September 1993.Pendleton, Jennifer (23 November 1993) [https://variety.com/1992/biz/news/rich-deal-for-disney-nestle-101527/ Rich deal for Disney, Nestlé"], Variety In 2003, Nestlé renewed its sponsorship of The Land; however, it was under agreement that Nestlé would oversee its own refurbishment to both the interior and exterior of the pavilion. Between 2004 and 2005, the pavilion underwent its second major refurbishment. Nestlé stopped sponsoring The Land in 2009.{{cite web|url=http://disneyparkhistory.com/the-land.html|title=The Land|access-date=1 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212021946/http://www.disneyparkhistory.com/the-land.html|archive-date=12 February 2017|url-status=dead}}

On 5 August 2010, Nestlé and the Beijing Music Festival signed an agreement to extend by three years Nestlé's sponsorship of this international music festival. Nestlé has been an extended sponsor of the Beijing Music Festival for 11 years since 2000. The new agreement will continue the partnership through 2013.[http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2010-08/06/content_20656276.htm "Nestlé continues sponsorship of the Beijing Music Festival"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716191951/http://china.org.cn/arts/2010-08/06/content_20656276.htm |date=16 July 2012 }}, China.org, 6 August 2010

Nestlé has partnered the Salzburg Festival in Austria for 20 years. In 2011, Nestlé renewed its sponsorship of the Salzburg Festival until 2015.[http://www.nestle.com/Media/NewsAndFeatures/Pages/Nestle-extends-salzburg-festival-partnership-until-2015.aspx "Nestlé extends Salzburg Festival partnership until 2015"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208223339/http://www.nestle.com/Media/NewsAndFeatures/Pages/Nestle-extends-salzburg-festival-partnership-until-2015.aspx |date=8 December 2011 }}, Nestlé, 5 October 2011

Together, they have created the "Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award", an initiative that aims to discover young conductors globally and to contribute to the development of their careers.{{cite web|url=http://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/nestle_yca2015/about.html|title=Nestlé and Salzburg Festival Young Conductors Award 2015|access-date=30 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304120902/http://www.salzburgerfestspiele.at/nestle_yca2015/about.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

Nestlé's sponsorship of the Tour de France began in 2001 and the agreement was extended in 2004, a move which demonstrated the company's interest in the Tour. In July 2009, Nestlé Waters and the organisers of the Tour de France announced that their partnership will continue until 2013. The main promotional benefits of this partnership will spread on four key brands from Nestlé's product portfolio: Vittel, Powerbar, Nesquik, or Ricore.{{cite web|url=http://www.foodbev.com/news/nestle-confirms-sponsorship-renewal-of-tour-de-fra#.VL1x00fF-So|title=Nestlé confirms sponsorship renewal of Tour de France|work=FoodBev|date=16 July 2009 |access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032605/http://www.foodbev.com/news/nestle-confirms-sponsorship-renewal-of-tour-de-fra/#.VL1x00fF-So|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live}}

On 27 January 2012, the International Association of Athletics Federations announced that Nestlé will be the main sponsor for the further development of IAAF's Kids' Athletics Programme, which is one of the biggest grassroots development programmes in the world of sports. The five-year sponsorship started in January 2012.[http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=63418.html "IAAF, Nestlé becomes main sponsor of worldwide IAAF Kids' Athletics"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516200134/http://www.iaaf.org/aboutiaaf/news/newsid=63418.html |date=16 May 2012 }}, 27 January 2012 On 11 February 2016, Nestlé decided to withdraw its sponsorship of the IAAF's Kids' Athletics Programmes because of doping and corruption allegations against the IAAF. Nestlé followed suit after other large sponsors, including Adidas, also stopped supporting the IAAF.Reinsch, Michael (10 February 2016). [https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/sportpolitik/nestle-steigt-aus-leichtathletik-weltverband-toxisch-14063151.html?extcid=Newsletter_11022016_Top-News_am_Morgen Leichtathletik-Weltverband „toxisch“] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216034027/https://www.faz.net/aktuell/sport/sportpolitik/nestle-steigt-aus-leichtathletik-weltverband-toxisch-14063151.html?extcid=Newsletter_11022016_Top-News_am_Morgen |date=16 February 2016 }} (in German). Frankfurter Allgemeine Sport. Retrieved 11 February 2016.

In 2014, Nestlé Waters sponsored the UK leg of the Tour de France through its Buxton Natural Mineral Water brand.{{cite web|url=http://www.just-drinks.com/news/nestle-waters-secures-tour-de-france-tie-up-for-buxton-natural-mineral-water_id114022.aspx|title=UK: Nestle Waters secures Tour de France tie-up for Buxton Natural Mineral Water|date=19 June 2014 |access-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215428/http://www.just-drinks.com/news/nestle-waters-secures-tour-de-france-tie-up-for-buxton-natural-mineral-water_id114022.aspx|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}

In 2002, Nestlé announced it was main sponsor for the Great Britain Lionesses Women's rugby league team for the team's second tour of Australia with its Munchies product.{{cite web|url=http://www.just-food.com/news/nestl%C3%A9-rowntree-to-sponsor-womens-rugby-league-team_id70927.aspx|title=UK: Nestlé Rowntree to sponsor Women's Rugby League team|access-date=24 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228124038/http://www.just-food.com/news/nestl%C3%A9-rowntree-to-sponsor-womens-rugby-league-team_id70927.aspx|archive-date=28 February 2014|url-status=live}}

Nestlé supports the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) on a number of nutrition and fitness fronts, funding a Fellowship position in AIS Sports Nutrition; nutrition activities in the AIS Dining Hall; research activities; and the development of education resources for use at the AIS and in the public domain.{{cite web|url=http://www.ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/sponsors/nestle|title=Nestlé and AIS Sports Nutrition|publisher=Australian Government|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517151825/http://ausport.gov.au/ais/nutrition/sponsors/nestle|archive-date=17 May 2012}}

{{Anchor|Controversy and criticism}}

In March 2011, Nestlé became the first infant formula company to meet the FTSE4Good Index criteria in full.{{cite web |title=Providing Context to the 2012 Nestlé FTSE4Good BMS Verification |url=http://www.ftse.com/products/downloads/FTSE_Context_to_2012_Verification_Report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215428/http://www.ftse.com/products/downloads/FTSE_Context_to_2012_Verification_Report.pdf |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=22 September 2015}}

In 2021, recycling startup, Carbios, released a press release that showed a

prototype of a food-grade PET plastic bottle made from enzymatically recycled plastic. The press release said Nestle (along with other companies) could manufacture these bottles using the Carbios technology. As of September 2024, however, it is unclear whether Nestle ever transitioned to these recycled materials beyond the prototype.{{cite web | url=https://www.carbios.com/en/global-consumer-brands-unveil-worlds-first-enzymatically-recycled-bottles/ | title=Global Consumer Brands Unveil World's First Enzymatically Recycled Bottles | date=24 June 2021 }}{{cite web |date=7 May 2020 |title=Why PepsiCo, L'Oreal and Nestle are banking on this French plastics recycling startup |url=https://www.greenbiz.com/article/why-pepsico-loreal-and-nestle-are-banking-french-plastics-recycling-startup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511043925/https://www.greenbiz.com/article/why-pepsico-loreal-and-nestle-are-banking-french-plastics-recycling-startup |archive-date=11 May 2020 |access-date=21 January 2020 |website=greenbiz.com}}

Nestlé created the Creating Shared Value Prize, which is awarded every other year with the aim of rewarding the best examples of CSV initiatives worldwide and to encourage other companies to adopt a shared value approach. These initiatives should take a business-oriented approach in addressing challenges in nutrition, water or rural development. The winner can win up to CHF 500,000. Nestlé was an early mover in the shared value space and hosts a global forum, the Creating Shared Value Global Forum.{{cite web|url=http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2015/01/global-shared-value-prize-offer|title=Global Shared Value Prize on Offer|access-date=15 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009154218/http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2015/01/global-shared-value-prize-offer|archive-date=9 October 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.fundraising.co.uk/2014/12/09/entries-open-chf-500k-nestle-creating-shared-value-prize/|title=Entries open for CHF 500k Nestlé Creating Shared Value Prize|work=UK Fundraising|date=9 December 2014|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032603/http://www.fundraising.co.uk/2014/12/09/entries-open-chf-500k-nestle-creating-shared-value-prize/|archive-date=3 January 2016|url-status=live}}

Rural Development Framework program: In 2012, Nestlé developed the Rural Development Framework, which supports farmers and cocoa growing communities.{{cite web |date=8 March 2013 |title=Women's Rights: Nestlé on female cocoa farmers |url=http://www.confectionerynews.com/Manufacturers/Nestle-promises-action-to-improve-women-s-lives-on-cocoa-farms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907052108/http://www.confectionerynews.com/Manufacturers/Nestle-promises-action-to-improve-women-s-lives-on-cocoa-farms |archive-date=7 September 2015 |access-date=15 September 2015 |publisher=ConfectioneryNews.com}} It is an investment program aimed at improving infrastructure, increasing access to safe water, address financing and market efficiency gaps, and improving labor conditions.{{cite web |title=How the Global Food Sector Can Solve Our Food Security Crisis |url=http://www.connectiveimpact.com/blog/how-the-global-food-sector-can-solve-our-food-security-crisis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826055758/http://www.connectiveimpact.com/blog/how-the-global-food-sector-can-solve-our-food-security-crisis |archive-date=26 August 2016 |access-date=1 February 2017}}

{{Main|Controversies of Nestlé}}The company has been associated with various controversies, facing criticism and boycotts over its marketing of baby formula as an alternative to breastfeeding in developing countries (where clean water may be scarce), its reliance on suppliers that use child labour in cocoa production, and its production and promotion of bottled water.

Nestlé is involved in many significant controversies due to Nestlé's reported use of

• incidents of contaminated and infested food products,
• actively spreading disinformation about recycling,
• illegal water-pumping from drought-stricken Native American reservations,
• preventing access to non-bottled water in impoverished countries,
• price fixing,
• slave labor,
• child labor,
• extensive union-busting activity, and
• deforestation.

Concern about Nestlé's "aggressive marketing" of their breast milk substitutes, particularly in less economically developed countries (LEDCs), first arose in the 1970s.{{cite news |date=2 February 2018 |title=Nestle to respond to baby milk criticism in coming days |url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-babymilk/nestle-to-respond-to-baby-milk-criticism-in-coming-days-idUKKBN1FM18F |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824025502/https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-nestle-babymilk/nestle-to-respond-to-baby-milk-criticism-in-coming-days-idUKKBN1FM18F |archive-date=24 August 2019 |access-date=24 August 2019 |work=Reuters |language=en}} Critics have accused Nestlé of discouraging mothers from breastfeeding and suggesting that their baby formula is healthier than breastfeeding.{{Cite web |last=Plüss |first=Jessica |date=10 January 2020 |title=Nestlé struggles to win over baby formula critics |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/milk-for-older-babies_nestl%C3%A9-struggles-to-win-over-infant-formula-critics/45473338 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530180155/https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/milk-for-older-babies_nestl%C3%A9-struggles-to-win-over-infant-formula-critics/45473338 |archive-date=30 May 2022 |access-date=29 May 2023 |website=Swissinfo}} This led to the 1977 Nestlé boycott in the United States and Europe.{{cite news |last1=Moorhead |first1=Joanna |author1-link=Joanna Moorhead |date=15 May 2007 |title=Milking it |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/may/15/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828203146/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/may/15/medicineandhealth.lifeandhealth |archive-date=28 August 2019 |access-date=23 August 2019 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web |last=Han |first=Soul |date=30 September 2021 |title=International groups boycott Nestle products to end indiscriminate advertising, 1977-1984 |url=https://commonslibrary.org/international-groups-boycott-nestle-products-to-end-indiscriminate-advertising-1977-1984/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110052921/https://commonslibrary.org/international-groups-boycott-nestle-products-to-end-indiscriminate-advertising-1977-1984/ |archive-date=10 November 2022 |access-date=10 November 2022 |website=The Commons Social Change Library |language=en-AU}}

Multiple reports have documented the widespread use of child labour as well as slavery and child trafficking by cocoa suppliers, throughout West African plantations, on which Nestlé and other major chocolate companies rely.{{cite news |last1=Raghavan |first1=Sudarsan |last2=Chatterjee |first2=Sumana |date=24 June 2001 |title=Slaves feed world's taste for chocolate: Captives common in cocoa farms of Africa |url=http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery/atasteofslavery.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060917014323/http://vision.ucsd.edu/~kbranson/stopchocolateslavery/atasteofslavery.html |archive-date=17 September 2006 |access-date=25 April 2012 |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}{{cite web |year=2005 |title=Combating Child Labour in Cocoa Growing |url=http://www.ilo.org/public//english//standards/ipec/themes/cocoa/download/2005_02_cl_cocoa.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630204954/http://www.ilo.org/public//english//standards/ipec/themes/cocoa/download/2005_02_cl_cocoa.pdf |archive-date=30 June 2012 |access-date=26 April 2012 |publisher=International Labour Organization}}{{cite book |last1=Wolfe |first1=David |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i2WeACR-WIYC&q=bbc+documentary+children+chocolate+2000&pg=PA98 |title=Naked Chocolate: The Astonishing Truth about the World's Greatest Food |last2=Shazzie |publisher=North Atlantic Books |year=2005 |isbn=1556437315 |page=98 |access-date=15 December 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828084858/https://books.google.com/books?id=i2WeACR-WIYC&q=bbc+documentary+children+chocolate+2000&pg=PA98 |archive-date=28 August 2023 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Hawksley |first=Humphrey |author-link=Humphrey Hawksley |date=12 April 2001 |title=Mali's children in chocolate slavery |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1272522.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226141935/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1272522.stm |archive-date=26 December 2008 |access-date=2 January 2010 |work=BBC News}}{{cite news |last=Hawksley |first=Humphrey |author-link=Humphrey Hawksley |date=4 May 2001 |title=Ivory Coast accuses chocolate companies |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1311982.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114115945/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1311982.stm |archive-date=14 January 2009 |access-date=4 August 2010 |work=BBC News}}

At the second World Water Forum in 2000, Nestlé and other corporations persuaded the World Water Council to change its statement so as to reduce access to drinking water from a "right" to a "need". Nestlé continues to take control of aquifers and bottle their water for profit.{{cite news |last=Muir |first=Paul |date=28 November 2013 |title=The human rights and wrongs of Nestlé and water for all |url=https://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/the-human-rights-and-wrongs-of-nestl%C3%A9-and-water-for-all-1.303517 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629043128/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/the-human-rights-and-wrongs-of-nestl-and-water-for-all |archive-date=29 June 2017 |access-date=21 April 2015 |newspaper=The National |location=Abu Dhabi}}

A coalition of environmental groups filed a complaint against Nestlé to the Advertising Standards of Canada after Nestlé took out full-page advertisements in October 2008 with messages stating, "Most water bottles avoid landfill sites and are recycled", "Nestlé Pure Life is a healthy, eco-friendly choice", and, "Bottled water is the most environmentally responsible consumer product in the world."{{cite news |date=1 December 2008 |title=Nestlé bottled-water ads misleading, environmentalists say |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/nestl%C3%A9-bottled-water-ads-misleading-environmentalists-say-1.748791 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160103032603/http://www.cbc.ca/news/nestl%C3%A9-bottled-water-ads-misleading-environmentalists-say-1.748791 |archive-date=3 January 2016 |access-date=4 January 2016 |work=CBC News}}{{cite web |title=Groups Challenge Nestlé's Bottled Water Greenwashing |url=http://www.polarisinstitute.org/groups_challenge_nestl%C3%A9%E2%80%99s_bottled_water_greenwashing |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022031038/http://www.polarisinstitute.org/groups_challenge_nestl%C3%A9%E2%80%99s_bottled_water_greenwashing |archive-date=22 October 2014 |access-date=30 November 2010 |work=Polaris Institute}}{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Scott |date=1 December 2008 |title=Nestlé water ads misleading: Canada green groups |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4B06UJ20081201 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521060733/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE4B06UJ20081201 |archive-date=21 May 2010 |access-date=30 November 2010 |work=Reuters}}{{needs update|date=March 2025}}

In 2018, Nestlé pledged to abide by the "Better Chicken Commitment", which involved committing to a range of improved welfare practices for chicken procured for use in Nestlé food products.{{Cite web |title=The Policy - BCC [EU] |url=https://betterchickencommitment.com/eu/policy/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=betterchickencommitment.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Animal Welfare |url=https://www.nestle.com/sustainability/sustainable-sourcing/animal-welfare |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411175354/https://www.nestle.com/sustainability/sustainable-sourcing/animal-welfare?__cf_chl_rt_tk=hYnfpgij9BjA0pCCM9OnA_QRc0NUqhKkWJ5Gl645uFQ-1744394034-1.0.1.1-x1i1hssKiuEr04VcOAGZVyYNz8H4D2ri6L69CuSU.zQ |archive-date=April 11, 2025 |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=Nestle.com}} However, a 2025 review from Compassion in World Farming listed that the company was not providing updates on progress towards complying with its 2018 pledge.{{Cite web |title=Animal welfare standards remain a worry as chicken commitments wane |url=https://www.ingredientsnetwork.com/animal-welfare-standards-remain-a-worry-as-news126860.html |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=www.ingredientsnetwork.com}}

In 2024, Nestle reported that 74.4% of its eggs are sourced from cage-free suppliers, slightly down from 76.3% in 2021.

In 2024, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey announced that Nestlé products (as well as some other products) will not be sold in restaurants, cafeterias and tea houses in the parliament campus. They said that this was a response to the manufacturers' support for Israel, but they did not identify anything the companies had actually done.{{Cite web |title=Turkish parliament dumps Coke, Nestle from menus over alleged Israel support |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkish-parliament-removes-brands-menu-over-alleged-israel-support-2023-11-07/ |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=Reuters}}

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