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Nutrition

Everyone deserves access to a nutritious diet. We help make balanced health-supporting diets more accessible and appealing for everyone, every day.

From our global Power Brands like Knorr and Hellmann’s to local favourites like Horlicks and Maizena, we offer a wide range of tasty, affordable and accessible foods and beverages.

Backed by a powerhouse of chefs, nutrition and food innovation experts – and through collaboration with others – we take a multi-stakeholder approach to driving positive change for better diets, without compromising on taste or enjoyment.

Our long-standing commitment to improving nutrition is led by science and informed by our experience and expertise. We believe nutritional quality, portion size and frequency of consumption determine the healthiness of a diet. This principle shapes our holistic approach – driving the development of nutritionally better products, empowering healthier diets, ensuring transparency through clear communication and disclosure, and fostering collaboration to amplify impact.

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Our nutrition improvement journey

Reflecting on over two decades of our progress in nutrition

Timeline image with the text 2024

Pioneering greater transparency in nutrition disclosure and 2025 ice cream calorie goal achieved

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)

Timeline image with the text 2023

Unilever’s Science-based Nutrition Criteria (USNC) and new commitment

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

Timeline image with the text 2022

New benchmark in nutrition transparency

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

Timeline image with the text 2021

Positive Nutrition Standards (PNS)

New set of standards for recommended ingredients and nutrients with a positive health impact

Timeline image with the text 2020

USLP commitments achieved and next ambition announced

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

Timeline image with the text 2019

iTFA commitment

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

Timeline image with the text 2017

Micronutrient commitment

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

Timeline image with the text 2014

Children’s ice cream calorie USLP target achieved and Healthy Recipe Framework (HRF) launched

100% of our children’s ice creams contained ≤110 calories per portion

Launch of HRF to assess nutrition quality of our recipes

Timeline image with the text 2013

Updated salt commitment

Updated commitment that 75% of Foods portfolio will meet salt levels to enable intakes of 5g/day by 2020

Timeline image with the text 2012

Trans fat-free USLP target achieved

100% of our portfolio by volume did not contain trans fats originating from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil

Timeline image with the text 2010

Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) Nutrition commitment

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

Timeline image with the text 2009

Sodium reduction strategy

Launch of salt reduction strategy and target of 5g/day

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Nutrition labelling policy

Policy to provide information globally on eight key nutrients, info per portion and 100g back-of-pack and energy content front-of-pack

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Responsible marketing principles to children

Voluntary restrictions on paid marketing communications directed primarily at children

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Nutrition Enhancement Programme (NEP)

First company to develop nutrient profile to improve nutritional quality of global product portfolio

Introduction of Food & Beverage Marketing Principles and Unilever Claims Framework

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Global Nutrition Policy

Formal nutrition policy explaining our goal to help people everywhere adopt healthy diets

Creating better products for better nutrition

Cropped hand handing a bowl of pumpkin soup over a wooden table

For over two decades, we’ve continuously improved the nutritional quality of our products through innovation and reformulation, actively championing a shift towards healthier diets. Our progress is guided by science-based standards and time-bound goals.

Our nutritional framework is built on two complementary standards: Unilever’s Science-based Nutrition Criteria (USNC) and Positive Nutrition Standards (PNS). Both are grounded in the latest scientific consensus and global dietary guidance, and validated for real-world impact.

PNS also inform our approach to helping address micronutrient deficiencies through targeted fortification. In 2024, our Foods business delivered 164 billion servings containing at least one of five key micronutrients – vitamin A, vitamin D, iodine, iron and zinc.

Critically, these standards operate independently, meaning that compliance with positive ingredients and nutrients cannot offset non-compliance with nutrients to limit.

We use these standards to benchmark our entire portfolio, establish clear, time-bound global goals, and report annual progress across our full portfolio and 16 key markets (XLSX 549.34 KB). We also disclose performance against six externally recognised Nutrient Profiling Models (PDF 1.12 MB), both globally and at market level.

Our goals

  • 85% of our portfolio to meet Unilever’s Science-based Nutrition Criteria by 2028[a]

    84%Our progress in 2024

  • Double the number of products sold that deliver positive nutrition by 2025[a]

    52%Our progress in 2024

  • 80% of our global beverage[b] portfolio to contain a maximum of 5 grams of total sugar per 100ml by 2025

    76%Our progress in 2024

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Some examples of products we’ve delivered in 2024:

Pack shots of Knorr Pasta Cups in three flavours: Pad Thai, Teriyaki Noodles and Spicy Korean-style BBQ.

Knorr Pasta Cups

Knorr Pasta Cups were launched in North America and meet the PNS. They contain at least eight grams of protein and half a cup of vegetables and provide more than 10% of the Daily Value of fibre, 10–15% Daily Value of potassium and 15% Daily Value of iron per serving.

A box of Hellmann’s 5-in-1 Mayonnaise & Seasoning Mix showing a jar of Hellmann’s mayonnaise and four packs of seasoning flavours: smoky tandoori, zesty mint, spicy chipotle and garlic & herbs.

Hellmann’s 5-in-1 Mayonnaise & Seasoning Mix

Hellmann’s launched the 5-in-1 Mayonnaise & Seasoning Mix in India, which meets both the USNC and PNS. Hellmann’s mayonnaise is a source of good fats and is made with soybean oil fortified with essential vitamins A and D. It comes with four different seasonings to make flavoured mayonnaise, such as smoky tandoori, zesty mint, spicy chipotle and garlic & herbs.

A jar of Knorr Chicken Bouillon powder.

Knorr Chicken Bouillon Powder

Knorr’s Chicken Bouillon Powder has been reformulated in Mexico and meets the USNC.

A jar of Hellmann’s Tartar Sauce.

Hellmann’s Tartar Sauce

Hellmann’s Tartar Sauce, which already met the USNC, has been reformulated in the Czech Republic using innovative technology. It now contains less fat and fewer calories, with a reduction of over 30% in fat per portion with the same creamy texture.

A pack shot of Knorr zero-sodium vegetable bouillon.

Knorr Zero-Sodium Vegetable Bouillon

Knorr launched a Zero-Sodium Vegetable Bouillon cube in Argentina that meets the USNC. This has also received an endorsement from the Argentine Cardiology Foundation.

A pack shot of Horlicks Diabetes Plus Chocolate.

Horlicks Diabetes Plus (Chocolate)

Horlicks Diabetes Plus (Chocolate) was introduced in India and meets both the USNC and PNS. 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%).

A pack shot of Knorr Chicken Cubes fortified with iron.

Knorr Iron-Fortified Chicken Stock Cube

Knorr has fortified its chicken stock cubes with iron in Pakistan to address widespread iron deficiency. It is the only fortified chicken soup stock on the market and provides 15% of the daily iron requirement. It helped deliver over 50 million servings of iron in 2024.

Jars of Kissan Fables in three flavours: Blueberry & The Beast, Little Red Strawberry and Apricot in Wonderland.

Kissan Fruit Fables

Kissan Fruit Fables is a 100% fruit-based spread range launched in India and meets the PNS. 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.

Pack shots of Telma Oats & More in three varieties: Chia Apple and Cinnamon; Cranberry and Chia; and Dark Chocolate and Chia.

Telma Oats & More

The Telma Oats & More oatmeal porridge range was launched in Israel and meets the USNC. This plant-based range is made with more than 70% whole oats and up to 9% chia seeds. It is available in three varieties: Chia, Apple and Cinnamon; Cranberry and Chia; and Dark Chocolate and Chia. The porridge can be prepared quickly with boiling water in just two minutes, or heated in the microwave.

Pack shot of Knorr Chicken Matsutake Seasoning.

Knorr Chicken Matsutake Seasoning

Knorr has launched the Chicken Matsutake Seasoning in China, which is made with wild matsutake mushrooms from Yunnan. It meets the USNC and has 10% less salt than regular chicken seasoning.

A bottle of Lipton Black Iced Tea Lemon Zero Sugar.

Lipton Zero Sugar

Lipton introduced more reduced and zero-sugar variants across multiple markets, including Lipton Black Iced Tea Lemon Zero in the Philippines.

Empowering healthier diets for everyone

girl, woman and a boy with a scallion above their lips in the kitchen

As many of our products are used in meal preparation, we aim to inspire people with ideas that fit diverse lifestyles, tastes and budgets – all guided by our Healthy Recipe Framework (PDF 322.03 KB) and shared across our ever-expanding range of on-pack and online content.

We also empower people through practical nutrition education. In partnership with governments and organisations, we deliver impactful healthy eating programmes that address local needs, promote behaviour change and encourage long-term dietary improvements.

Beyond home cooks, we support professional chefs through Unilever Food Solutions with training, recipes and tools for healthier food preparation. We also promote better food choices in workplace settings – for example, through the Healthier Canteen Initiative in Shanghai (PDF 188.54 KB).

To increase access, we offer products at a range of price points and pack sizes, innovating to provide affordable options. We are also expanding our reach in remote areas through innovative distribution channels. In India, our Shakti programme has trained over 200,000 women living in rural areas to become active sales agents – equipping them with business skills and knowledge in nutrition and hygiene. The success of this model has led to its expansion and localisation in Nigeria and Ethiopia, empowering even more women and strengthening community access to nutrition.

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Examples of our programmes include:

Supporting informed choices through transparency

A woman looking at a label on a jar of mayonnaise, standing next to a grocery aisle filled with various products on the shelves.

We know consumers need clear and easy-to-understand nutrition information to make informed choices. That’s why we provide transparent, fact-based labelling on our packaging worldwide. We voluntarily apply government-endorsed front-of-pack labels, such as the UK traffic light system, Nutri-Score, Health Star Rating and various Healthy Choice logos, and we strictly adhere to responsible advertising and marketing principles (PDF 305.29 KB). We back every nutrition and health claim we make with scientific evidence and ensure it meets established criteria.

Our commitment to transparency also extends to publicly disclosing our governance (PDF 164.8 KB), positions on key nutrition topics and related advocacy efforts (PDF 585.83 KB).

Driving collective action

Hands of cropped unrecognisable woman and man passing salad bowl on the dining table

Transforming diets at scale demands collective action.

We work with governments, experts, academic consortia and organisations to address nutrition challenges and co-develop science-backed solutions.

These alliances also fuel our research in key areas such as gut health, behaviour change and personalised nutrition, helping to strengthen the evidence behind healthier eating and driving systemic change in nutrition.

We share our findings (PDF 351.81 KB) through peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences, advancing collective understanding and informing public health advocacy.

Minimalist illustration of a bowl filled with vegetables, including a carrot, broccoli, and leafy greens, next to the word 'FIBERME' in bold, outlined capital letters. The background is a solid light teal colour.

FIBERME project

Through the FIBERME initiative, we are exploring how dietary fibres influence gut health. By pairing cutting-edge AI with microbiome science, this research aims to predict how different fibres impact digestion, immunity and overall wellbeing – opening new possibilities for personalised nutrition.

Read more about the FIBERME consortium

An assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds, and spices arranged on a grey surface. Visible foods include green beans, parsley, blueberries, pomegranate, broccoli, avocado, courgette, apple, ginger, turmeric, mushrooms, tomatoes, lentils, kidney beans, almonds, chia seeds, and more, displayed in bowls and loose on the table.

BioMicro project

We are advancing research into how the body absorbs micronutrients through a new in vitro model. This approach will help identify how different ingredients and processing methods affect the absorption of vitamins and minerals – guiding the development of foods that more effectively support health and help address nutrient deficiencies.

Read more about the BioMicro project

Restructure logo.

RESTRUCTURE project

We want to understand how certain characteristics of ultra-processed foods may influence overall body weight and metabolic health. Through the RESTRUCTURE initiative, we’re supporting research into the link between food texture, the speed of eating and energy intake.

Read more about the RESTRUCTURE project

showing overview of portfolio brands and some product examples and/or people using these to create a meal

WBCSD Food Fortification Playbook

We contributed to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and Eat Well Global’s Accelerating Food and Nutrition Security through Food Fortification: A private sector playbook that identifies fortification challenges and opportunities to inspire global collaboration among different stakeholders.

We presented outcomes from our Royco Nutrimenu programme, which reached nearly 18 million mothers in Indonesia, and we highlighted our partnership with the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, training 274 nurses on micronutrient deficiencies and fortification.

Read more about the playbook

[a]

(1, 2) Includes Foods and Ice Cream portfolios.

[b]

Includes all sweetened tea and herbal-based beverages.

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