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Everyone should be able to enjoy a nutritious diet. To make this happen, we’re aspiring to build a more sustainable food system that is better for people and the planet. Our brands are at the heart of our approach, inspiring people to adopt better diets without compromising on taste and enjoyment. From global brands like Knorr and Hellmann’s to local favourites like Horlicks, Kissan, Brooke Bond and Bru – our brands offer a wide range of tasty, affordable and accessible foods and beverages. We’re continuously improving the nutritional profile of our products and communicating transparently with consumers, partners and decision-makers. We know a multistakeholder approach is needed to achieve our ambitions and we’re working with partners to deliver positive change.
At Unilever, we have set ourselves clear goals and priorities as outlined in our Positive Nutrition Action Plan (PDF 272.18 KB). These are informed by the latest scientific consensus and international dietary guidelines, upheld by our leadership, and monitored by our governance processes.
Strong governance systems and clear lines of accountability ensure we meet our high standards. We rely on our global network of experts in nutrition and health to guide us in our decision-making and also on a clear governance structure (PDF 58.33 KB) to achieve the ambitions in our Positive Nutrition Action Plan.
Reflecting on over two decades of our progress in nutrition
Achieved goal of ensuring that 95% of our packaged ice cream contains no more than 250 calories per serving a year early
First company to annually disclose our portfolio since 2022 against six externally endorsed Nutrient Profiling Models (NPMs)
Updated set of standards for nutrients to limit and commitment that 85% of our portfolio meets USNC by 2028
Publication of Positive Nutrition Standards (PNS) modelling study
First company to publicly disclose portfolio assessment against six externally endorsed Nutrient Profiling Models
Exceeded our micronutrient commitment and delivered more than 236 billion servings with at least one of the five key micronutrients
Publication of USNC modelling study
New set of standards for recommended ingredients and nutrients with a positive health impact
Exceeded our Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) target of doubling the portfolio meeting our Highest Nutrition Standards (HNS) and set even more stretching Future Foods ambition with new targets to help people transition towards healthier and more sustainable diets
Commitment that industrially produced trans fatty acids (iTFA) would not exceed 2g per 100g of total fat or oil in any of our foods by 2023
Commitment to provide more than 200 billion servings with at least one of the five key micronutrients – vitamin A, vitamin D, iodine, iron and zinc – by 2022
100% of our children’s ice creams contained ≤110 calories per portion
Launch of HRF to assess nutrition quality of our recipes
Updated commitment that 75% of Foods portfolio will meet salt levels to enable intakes of 5g/day by 2020
100% of our portfolio by volume did not contain trans fats originating from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil
Commitment to double the proportion of our portfolio that meets our Highest Nutrition Standards (HNS) by 2020, with time-bound targets for reduction of salt, saturated and trans fat, sugar and calories, as well as providing nutrition labelling on pack globally
Launch of salt reduction strategy and target of 5g/day
Policy to provide information globally on eight key nutrients, info per portion and 100g back-of-pack and energy content front-of-pack
Voluntary restrictions on paid marketing communications directed primarily at children
First company to develop nutrient profile to improve nutritional quality of global product portfolio
Introduction of Food & Beverage Marketing Principles and Unilever Claims Framework
Formal nutrition policy explaining our goal to help people everywhere adopt healthy diets
Our work to improve the nutritional quality of our products, which began over 20 years ago, is led by science, informed by our experience and expertise, and shaped by our standards. By investing in improvement and innovation, we make our products nutritionally better and continue to meet people’s expectations for delicious foods and beverages. Read more about Unilever’s nutrition journey (PDF 9.53 MB).
Our current food system leaves about a billion people undernourished or hungry, while over 2 billion are overweight or obese. Food systems generate over a third of greenhouse gas emissions, and a third of all food is lost or wasted. We envisage a world where everyone has access to enough nutritious food without detrimental effects on the environment. We want to help build sustainable food systems – founded on value chains that ensure food and nutrition security while respecting our planet’s boundaries – and recognise that we must work with consumers, partners and regulators to achieve this. As one of the world’s largest food businesses, our activities extend across the whole food production value chain, and we seek to identify where we can have the greatest impact.
A sustainable diet is an eating pattern that is good for people and the planet. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), a sustainable diet is one that has low environmental impacts, contributes to food and nutrition security, and promotes healthy lives for both present and future generations.
In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission published a report linking diet, human health and environmental sustainability. They introduced the ‘planetary health diet’, which emphasises the need for a substantial shift towards consuming more fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes, while reducing the intake of red meat and sugar to improve health and environmental outcomes.
We define a sustainable diet as one that consists of:
As our diets are made up of multiple meals, snacks, treats and beverages, it’s important to look at how much food is eaten as well as what food is eaten. Nutritional quality, portion size and frequency of consumption must all be considered when adopting sustainable diets.
Almost all food and drink undergo some form of processing before being ready to consume. For example, we cook ingredients and process food to make them tasty and safe to eat. Processing can help make food safe for storage, reduce food waste, and boost essential nutrients through fortification. It can also mean it is more convenient, affordable and widely available.
We use quality ingredients from nature and apply our scientific knowledge and technological skills to craft foods that are delicious, nutritious and convenient. The process of making food at home and in a factory can be quite similar; the difference is mainly in the scale of production and equipment used. Processed foods are the result of human ingenuity and nutritional innovation.
We believe adopting sustainable diets is an important part of creating a better food system. Our brands are well positioned to help consumers embrace sustainable diets. The vast majority of servings we provide are from products that are used during meal preparation to enhance taste and texture, such as bouillons, dressings and condiments.
Guided by leading-edge science, we enhance the nutritional quality of our product portfolio through innovation and reformulation. From topics like plant-based foods, gut microbiome, behaviour change and personalised nutrition, we stay on top of the latest scientific evidence. We share our findings (PDF 351.81 KB) through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.
Additionally, peer reviewed publications from Hindustan Unilever Limited from 2020 onwards in the area of prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, efficacy of diabetes nutritional supplements on blood sugar management and gut health can be found here. (PDF 139.02 KB)
Our work is recognised by peers and benchmarking organisations, for example:
Our approach to promoting healthier diets is based on the latest scientific understanding of the role of nutrition for good health and wellbeing. Science and dietary guidance underpin Unilever’s Nutrition Standards, two internally developed sets of standards that guide our portfolio improvement:
Read about the goals we’ve set against these standards and how we apply them to our products.
In 2022, Unilever was the first global food company to publicly disclose on the performance of our product portfolio against six externally endorsed Nutrient Profiling Models (PDF 231 KB), and we continue to disclose our portfolio annually. We’re going further and advocating for industry-wide standard Nutrient Profiling Model(s) that every food company can use.
Unilever aims to reach €1.5 billion of sales per annum by 2025 from alternatives to products traditionally made using animal-derived ingredients.
We seek to double the number of products sold that deliver positive nutrition by 2025.
We’re continuing to lower salt, sugar and calories across all our products.
Unilever’s goals are supported by our policy to provide nutrition transparency, as well as our expertise and experience in nutrient profiling.
All our standards, positions, policies and goals related to nutrition are applicable globally to every brand in our Foods and Ice Cream business groups, unless a local regulation is stricter.
We know consumers need clear and easy-to-understand nutritional information about a product so they can make an informed decision about their meal, snack, treat or beverage. We aim to provide transparent, fact-based nutrition information on our packaging. We apply Unilever’s advertising and marketing principles to develop clear and responsible communications about food and beverages, including those for children. All our nutrition and health claims are supported by scientific evidence and meet set criteria (PDF 83.87 KB) to ensure that consumers receive relevant, concise and meaningful information.
We continue to improve the nutritional quality of our products to support the shift to better diets.
We believe in a food system that helps consumers to choose healthier and more sustainable diets and eating patterns that are good for people and the planet. Unilever’s biggest global brands – such as Knorr, Hellmann’s and Wall’s – offer holistically superior products that aim to satisfy consumers’ preferences on taste, health and ingredients, as well as sustainability. Many of our products have nutritious ingredients that can help provide micronutrients, protein, fibre or essential fatty acids that people need as part of a balanced diet.
We’re continuously innovating to improve nutritional quality across our brands, maximising positive nutrients and reducing nutrients to limit. For decades, we’ve been investing in improving the nutritional quality of our products through innovation and reformulation, as well as portfolio adjustments. We drive this work through our internal guidelines and strategy, regularly reviewing and improving our approach. Over time, we’ve learned to focus on products that are consumed frequently and in high volumes to have the greatest impact on consumers’ diets – all the while ensuring we keep the same great taste.
92%progress in 2024 across HUL’s Foods & Ice Cream portfolio
By end of 2022, prior to the divestment of Annapurna & Captain Cook, 43% of HUL’s Foods portfolio was in line with our Positive Nutrition Standards. HUL will continue to drive the growth agenda as given by our strategic priorities and portfolio choices and remain committed to increasing the number of products sold that deliver positive nutrition.
100%progress in 2024 across HUL’s Ice Cream portfolio
100%progress in 2024 across HUL’s Ice Cream portfolio
76%Our progress in 2024
[a] Includes all sweetened tea and herbal based beverages.
Here are some examples of products we’ve delivered in 2024-2025:
Pukka is a range of Herbal infusions launched in India. Each blend uses carefully selected herbs deeply rooted in ancient Ayurveda wisdom with proof of modern science. These blends are naturally caffeine-free with no added flavors. The vibrant, eco-friendly packaging reflects Pukka's dedication to sustainability.
Lipton has introduced three new green tea variants: Raspberry-Mint, Lemongrass-Ginger, and Spearmint. The first two offer a refreshing, flavourful twist, while Spearmint blends premium Darjeeling green tea with real Spearmint, Ginseng, and Lemongrass. With a variety of flavourful blends, Lipton makes it easier for consumers to embrace a refreshing and healthy lifestyle.
Bru cold coffee brings out a refreshing coffee indulgence, perfect for the hustlers and dreamers who love their coffee chilled and on-the-go! Bru Cold Coffee Cans are available in 3 delicious flavours: Classic, Hazelnut and Caramel.
Horlicks Strength Plus is uniquely tailored to meet the nutritional needs of India’s rapidly growing aging population. It is scientifically designed with high-quality and easy to digest protein (8g per serve), essential nutrients to support bone health like calcium, magnesium, vitamin D and K, prebiotic fibre, and powered with essential amino acid leucine to effectively support muscle, bone and gut health.
Horlicks Diabetes Plus (Chocolate) was introduced in India and meets both the Unilever's Science based Nutrition Criteria and Positive Nutrition Standards. It is a nutritional beverage for diabetics and at-risk individuals who have just begun their diabetes journey. This nutritional supplement contains no added sugar and has a low glycaemic index. It contains 16 vital nutrients and is also high in protein (20%) and prebiotic fibres (22%).
Boost Milkshake offers delicious and nutritious options for kids and teenagers on the go. The Boost milkshake is a nourishing beverage packed with protein and energy-releasing, stamina-supporting nutrients. It's designed to help keep kids active and energised, making it a perfect choice for a quick, tasty pick-me-up anytime, anywhere.
Horlicks Milkshake comes in two exciting flavors: Kesar Badam and Chocolate. These flavours make it a popular choice among kids and teenagers, providing a quick energy boost to help quench thirst and beat the heat.
Hellmann’s launched three new variants of flavoured mayonnaise, which meets both Unilever’s Science based Nutrition Criteria (USNC) and Positive Nutrition Standards (PNS). Hellmann’s mayonnaise is a source of good fats and is made with soyabean oil fortified with essential vitamins - A and D. It comes in three different flavours such as Cheezy Jalapeno Burst, Smoky Tandoori and Roasted Garlic.
Kissan Fruit Fables is a 100% fruit-based spread range launched in India and meets the Positive Nutrition Standards. The range includes three variants: Blueberry & The Beast, Little Red Strawberry and Apricot in Wonderland. All are made from more than a kilogram of fruits per jar, featuring strawberries and mulberries from Mahabaleshwar, apricots from Greece and blueberries from Canada.
We know a collective shift to more sustainable diets requires the efforts of multiple stakeholders. We work with others to innovate and build solutions to the nutrition challenges our consumers face. We also collaborate with various organisations to advocate for science-backed improvements.
At Hindustan Unilever Limited, we have been running ‘Swasthya ki Baat’ a robust health and nutrition programme in collaboration with the State Governments of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and West Bengal for expecting mothers. It raises awareness about the importance of iron and protein for mothers and children through interpersonal, community and digital interventions.
Prabhat is our community development initiative aiming to create sustainable and inclusive communities. It leverages HUL’s scale for good, contributing to a fairer, more socially and environmentally inclusive world. Over the past decade, Prabhat has positively impacted ~11 million lives across 12 States and 2 Union Territories. Aligning with the National Nutrition Mission, Prabhat’s nutrition programme focuses on improving the health and nutritional status of women of reproductive age, pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls, and children under five.
We are one of the funding partners for ARUMDA (Advanced Research Unit on Metabolism, Development & Aging) which is conceived by TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research) with a mission to bring together basic biologists and clinical researchers to provide solutions to tackle malnutrition.
ARUMDA provides advanced research on nutrition and metabolism during development and aging.
Together with Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), we implemented a programme addressing hygiene and nutrition issues through education and improved access. The initiative reached over 4,50,000 workers and family members on tea estates we source from in Assam, India and resulted in 40% more households consuming nutrient-dense vegetables. Read more about the hygiene and nutrition initiative.
Through our portfolio of brands, we’re helping people to choose healthier diets.
We want to increase access to nutritious, affordable and tasty food. This means making our foods and beverages nutritionally better (Opens in a pop-up window ), inspiring people to cook more nutritiously, encouraging better food choices, and focusing on how we price and distribute our products.
To help make good nutrition available to all, we provide our products across a range of recommended resale prices and package sizes. We take this further by using innovative distribution channels to help even more people access the nutrition they need.
We focus on:
Our ASPIRE framework provides a guide for inclusive distribution models (PDF 450.64 KB) (Opens in a pop-up window ) targeting hard-to-reach populations.
Over 2 lakh women in our Shakti network, are ambassadors of good nutrition in their villages. They are equipped with the training and resources to engage with communities on good nutritional practices for women and children.
Through our healthy eating campaigns and programmes, as well as our recipe inspiration and suggestions, we aim to change attitudes and promote eating patterns that help people shift to better diets. We regularly update a repository of recipes, all based on our Healthy Recipe Framework, (PDF 221.54 KB) (Opens in a pop-up window ) providing delicious meal inspiration.
At HUL, we’re committed to making healthier eating both accessible and enjoyable. Our Foods brands—Hellmann’s Mayonnaise and Kissan Peanut Butter—are actively championing nutritious, delicious recipes that align with Unilever’s Healthy Recipe Framework.
In 2024, Hellmann’s partnered with Social, a popular burger chain, to launch limited-edition ‘Mood Burgers’—a creative campaign that brought nutrition and indulgence together during the cricket season. Each of the three burgers was carefully crafted to meet Unilever’s nutrition standards, featuring ingredients like avocado, beetroot, chickpeas, and eggs, paired with Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise.
These burgers were available across 53 outlets and major delivery platforms, with packaging that highlighted the nutritional benefits of key ingredients—making it easier for consumers to make informed, healthier choices.
Additionally, through our social media campaigns where recipes are actively broadcasted, we also empower influencers and food creators through training on Unilever’s Healthy Recipe Framework, ensuring every branded collaboration reflects our commitment to consuming food responsibly and mindfully.
Healthier diets are not just about what we eat, but also how much we eat. Portions have tended to increase in size over many years – a global phenomenon that has led to ‘portion distortion’ or the normalising of unnecessarily larger portions. In addition to improving our products, we also help people understand what an appropriate portion size looks like, enabling them to make informed choices.
