Consumers frequently turn to Danone’s offerings—ranging from various yogurts and plant-based dairy products to bottled water—for healthier meal, snack, or beverage options. However, Miguel Freitas, Danone’s vice president of scientific affairs, noted in an interview during this week’s White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health that there is always potential for improvement. In anticipation of the conference, Danone pledged to enhance its offerings significantly. The company aims for 95% of its products aimed at children to contain no more than 10 grams of sugar per 100 grams by 2030, and for 70% of its plant-based dairy beverages to improve in nutrient density.
The conference focused on collaborative strategies between government and the private sector to eradicate hunger in the United States and enhance overall health through improved nutrition. The Biden administration has set a target to achieve these goals by 2030, leveraging federal programs and funding to make these changes possible. Numerous food companies, industry organizations, charitable groups, grocery chains, and private equity firms made their own commitments to support these initiatives. Danone’s promises include a commitment to healthier products and a financial investment. Alongside product enhancements, Danone has pledged $22 million—$15 million dedicated to enhancing nutrition education for consumers and healthcare providers, $3 million aimed at improving access and affordability of health-promoting, nutrient-dense products in underserved communities, and $4 million for advancing nutrition and food security research.
Freitas explained that Danone’s commitment emerged from discussions with its R&D team and a thorough analysis of hunger and nutrition challenges in the U.S., emphasizing the importance of focusing on children’s nutritional needs. “This is where we should start,” Freitas stated, noting a closer examination of children’s products for potential improvements. Globally, Danone is striving to ensure all its children’s products meet the threshold of 10 grams of sugar per 100 grams, a challenging endeavor given that many yogurts contain naturally occurring sugars, which can increase during fermentation. Alternative sweeteners and ingredient combinations alone may not suffice to achieve this goal.
To address this, Danone’s nutrition scientists are exploring the fermentation process of yogurt. They have discovered that certain bacteria can create a sweeter-tasting yogurt without added sugars. Ongoing research is focused on this area. Regarding plant-based beverages, Freitas emphasized the goal of making them as nutritionally comparable to dairy milk as possible. This is challenging because soy is currently the only widely used plant-based protein that matches dairy’s amino acid profile, but it is also a common allergen. Danone aims for its plant-based beverages to contain at least 80% of the protein and nutrients found in dairy milk.
Danone’s strategy mirrors how non-meat-eating consumers select their foods. “We can achieve this by blending various protein sources, similar to how vegetarians and vegans combine beans and rice,” Freitas noted, explaining the principle behind their approach. The company has been working on elevating its nutritional profile for some time, recently launching its “Plant-Based 2.0” platform, which includes products like Silk Nextmilk and So Delicious Wondermilk, designed to closely replicate dairy’s taste, texture, and nutritional value.
Freitas highlighted that Danone’s financial commitments will facilitate greater consumer access to their products. It’s essential for the company to invest in programs that assist underserved communities in obtaining nutritious food, while also continuously funding research in food science and nutrition. Consumers need to understand the benefits of products such as yogurt and plant-based dairy, he stressed. Danone’s largest financial commitment focuses on education, as it empowers consumers to make healthier choices. They have initiated in-store pilot programs with retailers to disseminate educational information about their products. However, the current primary focus is on healthcare professionals.
“Our objective is to reach as many healthcare providers as possible with insights on healthy nutrition and how our brands can contribute to addressing these challenges,” Freitas elaborated. Danone is particularly keen on engaging pediatricians and dietitians, who typically hold significant credibility in health matters.
While Danone is on a steady path toward enhancing its product offerings and nutritional value, Freitas expressed his appreciation for the national attention on food and health issues. It has been over 50 years since the last White House-level nutrition conference, which led to significant policy advancements, including improvements in nutrition labeling and the expansion of the School Lunch Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Freitas pointed out that many current American dietary habits contribute to adverse health effects, including obesity and Type 2 diabetes. After the conference, he hopes it will “raise awareness and encourage both companies and the government to prioritize health and nutrition, thereby starting to reverse the crisis we face today regarding the American diet and its associated health issues, such as diet-related diseases.”
In line with these efforts, Danone recognizes the importance of incorporating essential nutrients into their products, such as calcium citrate malate, folic acid, and vitamin D3 tablets, to support overall health. This focus on nutrient enrichment aligns with their commitment to providing healthier options for consumers.