Why promoting healthy eating matters
We are convinced that supporting healthy eating is essential in today's world, where excess sugars, salt and poor-quality fats are a contributing factor in the rise of global health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
We also fully understand that food is not just a question of taste and quality, but also and above all, of education about what eating well means. We do not wish to demonize entire food groups or scare people unnecessarily, because occasional indulgences can totally be part of an healthy diet.
Because health starts with informed choices, our primary goal is to help our consumers understand the benefits of a varied diet, with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy products and good fats. It is this education, from an early age, that will enable people not only to manage their weight, but also to stay strong and healthy in the long term.
Far from considering ourselves as moralizers or dietetics well-wishers, we want to help our consumers develop healthy eating habits while enjoying delicious meals and snacks.
Transparent labeling and clear information for better choices
Transparency is a central element of our approach to eating well. To enable our consumers to make the best possible food choices, we display clear and easy-to-understand nutritional information on our packaging. By 2025, 95% of volumes sold for dairy, plant-based and aquadrinks products will include voluntary interpretative nutritional information on pack or online that allows for quick identification of the following:
- Daily recommended intake of nutrients in accordance with the latest scientific recommendations for a balanced diet.
- Portion size, including the number of portions in multi-portion packs.
- Energy content: fats (saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated), carbohydrates (including sugars, polyols, starch), fiber and protein.
- Salt content.
- Nutritional information is presented in three different ways: per 100g/100ml, per serving or as a percentage of reference intake per serving.
- Energy value (calories and/or kJ) as a percentage of recommended daily allowances (RDA) and/or daily values on the front of the packaging.
With this information, our goal is to give consumers the tools they need to make informed decisions and align their food choices with their health values.
Responsible marketing to build healthy habits from an early age
Danone’s commitment to promoting healthier food choices extends beyond product development and labeling. Our marketing practices also play a significant role in encouraging healthy choices.
As part of our participation in the EU Pledge, Danone has implemented a robust and responsible marketing policy aimed at protecting children while promoting healthier food choices. Updated in 2024, this policy reflects Danone’s commitment to fostering sustainable lifestyles and supporting parents in encouraging balanced diets and active habits for their children. Here are the main guidelines we observe:
Key principles
- Nutritional standards: we use the Health Star Rating (HSR) [LK1] system to assess products’ nutritional profiles. Only products rated 3.5 stars or higher can be marketed to children under 16 years old (with a specificity for aquadrinks with 2,5 stars that can use characters and licensing on pack and point of sales).
- Audience restrictions: marketing is prohibited if children under 16 represent more than 25% of the audience, tightening previous rules that applied to kids under 13.
- School exclusion: Danone refrains from promoting products in or near primary and secondary schools, except for approved educational activities involving products that meet HSR standards.
Specific practices
- Characters and influencers: licensed characters, celebrities, influencers, and promotional items appealing to children under 13 can only be used for products meeting the HSR criteria.
- Packaging and retail: similar restrictions apply to packaging and point-of-sale materials, with exceptions for certain water-based beverages (Aquadrinks) that meet specific sugars limits.
- Monitoring and transparency: Danone ensures compliance through employee training, contractual obligations with external partners, and annual audits conducted internally and by independent third parties. The company publicly reports its progress via its Universal Registration Document.
In essence, this new marketing policy prioritizes health and ethical communication while minimizing exposure to unhealthy food promotions for children. It is aligned with our broader mission of promoting health through food and supporting sustainable lifestyles globally.
More fruits, vegetables and legumes: encouraging a flexitarian diet for sustainable eating
Alongside our educational activities and our responsible marketing approach, we promote a flexitarian diet that emphasizes a balance between plant-based proteins (legumes, vegetables and whole grains) and animal-based proteins (lean meats, fish and dairy products).
This diet is not only good for your health, it contributes to sustainability goals by reducing the environmental impact of food production.
In addition to the proteins some can contain, plant-based foods such as vegetables, legumes and whole grains like whole wheat bread and pasta also have many health benefits:
- Rich in fiber, they nourish the microbiome, improve transit and digestion, and help regulate blood cholesterol levels (and thus prevent the risk of cardiovascular disease).
- They are relatively low in calories, which makes them valuable allies in weight management.
- They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, all nutrients that you need on a daily basis.
Reducing sugars and saturated fats for better nutrition
We would not be legitimate in giving advice to people if we did not apply it to the products we make. Thus, reducing added sugars, salt and offering low-fat versions of our foods and drinks is a key priority for us. We are constantly working on the formulations to make them more nutritious and less caloric, without compromising on taste.
We also pay particular attention to the origin of our raw materials and ensure that:
- We source as close as possible to our factories, from local producers who practice sustainable agriculture and livestock farming.
- We use the best possible ingredients, in optimal proportions for good health.
- We offer the best possible nutritional profile each time, for example by choosing whole grains or favoring the natural sweet taste of fruits.
- We replace raw materials with a high carbon and environmental impact with more sustainable solutions, in particular through the use of biotechnologies and innovative production methods.
Looking to the future, Danone will continue to innovate in the field of nutrition, ensuring that healthier food choices are not only available but also accessible and affordable. Through ongoing research and collaboration with partners in the food industry and health sector, we will strive to provide consumers with the tools they need to make healthy food choices a part of their everyday lives.
