Can a Healthy Hot Pocket Ever Exist? Nestlé USA Drops Artificial Ingredients from Frozen Foods
After recently announcing major changes to its confectionary products, Nestlé USA says it’s going to remove artificial flavors and reduce salt content in its frozen foods and snack items, including Hot Pockets.
According to the company, it will replace artificial flavors and trim its salt content by 10 percent from 2013 levels by the end of 2015 in its frozen pizzas and snack products, affecting more than 250 products in Nestlé’s DiGiorno, Tombstone, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack’s, Hot Pockets, and Lean Pockets brands.
“We know people want to feel good about the foods they eat, and they’re seeking foods made with fewer artificial ingredients and less sodium,” John Carmichael, president of the Nestlé Pizza & Snacking Division, Nestlé USA said in a statement. “As one of the nation’s largest food companies, Nestlé is listening to consumers and delivering on their desire for convenient, great-tasting foods that have an improved nutritional profile.”
The move comes after a similar announcement last February when the company said it would be removing artificial colors and flavors from its chocolate and candy bar products.
Nestlé says several of its brands will release new products intended to help orient customers to healthier, more appropriately portioned meal and snack options.
“Portion guidance is our way of making it easier for consumers to make informed choices that are right for them and their family,” Cassie Hoover, RDN, nutrition, health and wellness manager, Nestlé Pizza & Snacking Division, Nestlé USA said in a statement. “We’ll continue to look for ways to help people enjoy our pizza and snack options as part of a well-balanced, great-tasting and nutritious diet.”
Nestlé’s announcement mirrors a number of other food companies’ efforts of late to reduce or remove artificial ingredients, antibiotics, excess sodium and sugar and controversial ingredients like GMOs and palm oil.
Kraft recently announced it would remove artificial colors and preservatives from its iconic blue box macaroni and cheese, Yum Brands Inc. recently announced it was pulling artificial flavors and other controversial ingredients from Taco Bell and Pizza Hut menus, and Walmart made headlines last week when it announced it was enforcing sweeping animal welfare policies with its suppliers, calling for larger cages and the elimination of controversial practices, including antibiotics in livestock feed and castration and debeaking without anesthetics.
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