In what I’d consider a tactically-influenced move, mega-food corporation Nestle has recently announced that it would phase out artificial flavors and colors from some of its candy bars by 2015. This move will make many consumers happy as it seemingly hits a note of health-consciousness, but a company who wants to control the world’s water supply probably isn’t driven by consumer’s desires.
Similar to Hershey’s recent announcement of removing GMO ingredients from its candy and moving toward ‘simple ingredients,’ Nestle has publicly said it would be removing ingredients such as Red 40, Yellow 5, and artificial vanillin from all of its chocolate candy brands in the U.S. — more than 250 products.
Nestle claims that the shift is in response to consumer demand. This is probably true – and overall good news – as even if the change is driven by profits, it proves we have a voice that can make an impact. The company cited Nielsen’s 2014 Global Health & Wellness Survey which indicated that more than 60 percent of Americans consider no artificial colors or flavors important when deciding what food to buy.
“We know that candy consumers are interested in broader food trends around fewer artificial ingredients,” said Doreen Ida, president of Nestlé USA Confections & Snacks. “As we thought about what this means for our candy brands, our first step has been to remove artificial flavors and colors without affecting taste or increasing the price. We’re excited to be the first major U.S. candy manufacturer to make this commitment.”
Nestles Dark Side
But before you get too cozy with Nestle and its choice to remove ingredients that should have been omitted long ago, know that this company isn’t so pure.
According to the former CEO and now Chairman of the largest food product manufacturer in the world, corporations should own every drop of water on the planet — and you’re not getting any unless you pay up.
The company is known for sending out hordes of ‘internet warriors’ to defend the company and its actions online in comments and message boards (perhaps we’ll find some below) even takes a firm stance behind Monsanto’s GMOs and their ‘proven safety.’
In fact, the former Nestle CEO actually says that his idea of water privatization is very similar to Monsanto’s GMOs. In a video interview, Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck-Letmathe states that there has never been ‘one illness’ ever caused from the consumption of GMOs.
Watch the video below for yourself:
Article image from: treehugger.com (© Nestlé)