Nestlé eyes billions from products for weight-loss drug users

Nestlé sees a significant business opportunity in the growing market for weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Instead of fearing a decline in sales, the Swiss food giant is leveraging artificial intelligence to develop new products tailored to the needs of millions of users of these medications.

"It's a huge opportunity for our company," stated Chief Technology Officer Stefan Palzer. The drugs, manufactured by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, suppress appetite and lead to rapid weight loss. However, this often results in side effects like muscle mass reduction and sagging facial skin, a phenomenon dubbed "Ozempic face." Nestlé aims to address these issues.

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It is a huge opportunity for our company.

Scientists at Nestlé are using AI to analyze clinical trials and identify nutrient combinations that can counteract these effects. The company has already launched products containing collagen protein for skin and hair and developed a protein shake to prevent muscle loss. Palzer also told Reuters that Nestlé has created patented active ingredient combinations to help manage hunger after discontinuing the medications.

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It is quite sad that we keep turning to new products that are more expensive than whole, fresh foods.

Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in this development. Nestlé employs internal systems like the "Food Genie" platform to process vast amounts of data from clinical studies, pinpoint nutrient combinations, and accelerate recipe development using a database of approximately 120,000 templates. AI also helps simulate consumer behavior and identify emerging social media trends before they become widespread.

However, not everyone is convinced by Nestlé's approach. Nutrition experts point out that fresh, unprocessed foods like meat, eggs, beans, and nuts are also rich in protein and nutrients and are often more affordable. "It's quite sad that we keep turning to new products that are more expensive than whole, fresh foods," said Amanda Avery, a professor of dietetics at the University of Nottingham. She acknowledged, though, that Nestlé's strategy is likely to succeed, adding, "Unfortunately, we are heavily influenced by marketing."

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Unfortunately, we are heavily influenced by marketing.