NORTH AFRICA – Nestlé Professional, the Nestlé arm committed to foodservice operations has launched its ‘Sweet Earth’ plant-based range comprised of burger, schnitzel and nuggets in North Africa and the Middle East.

The new offerings of The Awesome Burger, Vegetarian Schnitzel, and Vegetarian Nuggets are in line with the company’s strive to provide more delicious, nutritious and sustainable meat alternatives for people looking to incorporate meatless options into their diet.

“People’s food preferences in the region are rapidly changing, with many opting for meat alternatives that are not only good for them but also good for the environment,” said Ayça Koç, Nestlé Professional Food Business Manager, MENA.

“The shift towards more plant-based eating has been largely fuelled by public demand and more attention to personal well-being, which is why plant-based diets are no longer just for vegetarians or vegans, as more and more people become flexitarian in their eating habits: choosing to reduce their meat consumption significantly,” she added.

Launching plant-based food and beverages is part of Nestlé’s efforts to speed up the transformation of its offerings with innovative, sustainable products, and in line with the company’s ambition to achieve zero net emissions by 2050.

Nestlé will also look to reformulate its products using more climate-friendly ingredients.

“People’s food preferences in the region are rapidly changing, with many opting for meat alternatives that are not only good for them but also good for the environment.”

Ayça Koç – Nestlé Professional Food Business Manager, MENA

Meanwhile, the food giant has re-introduced two variants of its Cerelac brand I.e., NESTLÉCERELAC Wheat and NESTLÉ CERELAC Banana in the Ethiopian market.

According to the company, the cereals are now available in supermarkets, souks, counter stores, pharmacies, hospitals, and wholesalers across the country.

“NESTLÉ CERELAC contains Vitamin A & C, Iron, Iodine, Omega 3, and Vitamin B1. Several scientific studies have proven that these vitamins support healthy brain and cognitive development in infants,” it said.

“While breastmilk remains the main source of nutrients for babies six months and below, NESTLÉ CERELAC Infant Cereal with milk makes for an appropriate complementary food for babies after six months, to fulfil their nutritional needs for growth and development,” said Wossenyeleh Shiferaw, Nestlé Horn of Africa Cluster Manager.

In 1867, Henry Nestlé (the founder of Nestlé), a pharmacist, invented milk-enriched cereals to fight against infant malnutrition, then widespread in Europe.

Today, Nestlé still carries on with this tradition of providing adapted infant nutritional solutions recognized by healthcare professionals.

Nestlé also focuses its activities and nutrition education with healthcare professionals (HCPs) as part of its commitment to implement nutrition education programs to promote good nutrition practices.

“Fortified infant cereals are effective in reducing the risk of iron deficiency and anemia. Poor nutritional practices in young children exposes them to greater risks of morbidity making complementary feeding in sub-Saharan African countries including Ethiopia where stunting and anaemia are common.

“By offering products such as, NESTLÉ CERELAC to consumers, Nestlé is helping to increase nutrients in children’s diets using nutritious and appropriate complementary foods,” the company said.

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