Nestlé USA Cutting Artificial Flavors, Reducing Salt In Some Frozen Pizza Products

Digiorno is one of the brands included. (JeepersMedia)

Following Nestlé USA’s announcement that it would be pulling artificial flavors from all its chocolate products earlier this year, the company now says it’s removing artificial flavors and reducing salt by 10% in many of its frozen pizza and snack products by the end of 205.

That will include more than 250 products under brands like Digiorno, Tombstone, California Pizza Kitchen, Jack’s, Hot Pocket and Lean Pockets, Nestlé says.

By the end of 2015, there will be no more artificial flavors in any product within those brands — with upcoming products included — and sodium will be down 10% compared to 2013 levels in those pizza and snack brands.

The company will also encourage you not to eat the entire box of Hot Pockets in one sitting even if that’s what you feel like doing because it’s been a really tough week, by including “incorporated guidance tools on packaging” to help educate consumers on “choosing appropriate portion sizes and the importance of eating vegetables and fruits as part of a balanced plate.”

“We know people want to feel good about the foods they eat, and they’re seeking foods made with fewer artificial ingredients and less sodium,” said John Carmichael, president of the Nestlé Pizza & Snacking Division, Nestlé USA. “As one of the nation’s largest food companies, Nestlé is listening to consumers and delivering on their desire for convenient, great-tasting foods that have an improved nutritional profile.”

Nestle is joining a slew of other food companies to recently announce a shift toward a future free from artificial flavors amid consumer demand, including Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, Panera Bread and Kraft Macaroni & Cheese.

by Mary Beth Quirk via Consumerist