Nestlé's Health Science Bet: A Recipe of Uncertainty, Progress, and Diversity

Nestlé, the massive packaged-foods company, has declared its intention to maintain control over its health science division, according to an interview with Chairman Paul Bulcke in NZZ am Sonntag. This announcement follows Nestlé's decision to replace CEO Mark Schneider with Latin America business head, Lauren Freixe, starting in September. Bulcke's justification for holding onto the health science unit is rooted in his optimism regarding the transformative potential of the wellness sector for society. However, analysts have proposed that Nestlé might profit from shedding this division, which has grappled with slow sales this year due to technological integration hiccups. Meanwhile, Nestlé's vibrant assortment of consumer brands – spanning Gerber baby food, KitKat candy, Haagen-Dazs ice cream, and Purina pet food – flourishes amidst this critical phase.