Nestle USA Partners With Retailers, Food and Beverage Industry to Launch National Obesity Campaign

Nestle USA Partners With Retailers, Food and Beverage Industry to Launch
National Obesity Campaign
Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation Seeks to Encourage Behavior Change and
Provide Tools to Help Consumers Achieve Energy Balance in the Marketplace, in
the Workplace and in Schools

GLENDALE, Calif., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestle USA has joined an
unprecedented coalition of more than 40 retailers, food and beverage
manufacturers and non-governmental organizations to launch the Healthy Weight
Commitment Foundation, a national, multi-year effort designed to help reduce
obesity - especially childhood obesity - by 2015.

The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation will promote the concept of energy
balance - balancing calories consumed as part of a healthy diet with calories
expended by physical activity -to people in the places where they spend much
of their time: to consumers in the marketplace, to employees through workplace
programs and to children in schools.

"The rise of obesity is one of the most significant global public health
challenges facing us today," said Rob Case, president of Nestle Beverage and
board member of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation. "At Nestle USA, we
believe that balanced nutrition and regular physical activity are critical for
maintaining optimal health. We are dedicated to providing our consumers with
delicious, high quality foods and beverages that can be enjoyed as part of
nutritious diet, clear nutritional information, as well as educational tools
that they can use to support a healthy lifestyle."

Members of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation have already committed $20
million to this joint initiative to raise awareness about the importance of
balancing a healthy diet with physical activity, particularly among children
ages six to 11 years old and their parents and caregivers. This effort will
include a soon-to-be announced national public education campaign on energy
balance.

Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation efforts include:

Connecting with Consumers in the Marketplace:
-- Participating companies are committing to build on existing efforts
and
will be making changes to their products, packaging and labeling to
make
it easier for consumers to manage their calorie intake while
preserving
or enhancing overall nutrition quality.

-- Nestle USA is committed to improving the nutritional density of
products
by featuring fruits and vegetables, whole grains, calcium, Omega-3s
and
antioxidants where it makes sense. For people trying to manage their
weight, the company offers portion-and-calorie-controlled meals,
treats
and beverages, along with lower fat and reduced sugar versions that
share the original's same great taste.

Empowering Employees in the Workplace:
-- Participating companies will undertake new or enhance existing
programs
to help employees achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

-- Nestle USA will continue to provide employees with a number of unique
employee health and wellness initiatives, such as HealthWorks, a
health
management initiative that offers resources - such as weight loss
management, smoking cessation programs, on-site health screenings - to
help employees and their family make informed decisions about health
care and wellness.

Creating Healthy Habits in Schools:
-- The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation will expand the successful
Healthy Schools Partnership to additional schools in Kansas City, Des
Moines, Washington, D.C., Chicago and a tribal community in Iowa. The
Healthy Schools Partnership integrates nutrition education and
physical
education through a school-based curriculum to help children develop
life-long positive healthy habits.

-- Nestle USA will also continue to support Healthy Steps for Healthy
Lives, a program created to offer teachers innovative tools to educate
students about good nutrition and physical activity. To date, more
than
40,000 Healthy Steps kits have been distributed to teachers - reaching
nearly one million children and their families.

"Maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires making smart decisions both big and
small," said Chavanne B. Hanson, MPH, RD, LD, Nestle USA's Wellness Champion.
"We are cognizant of our role in helping families make informed decisions
about eating right and will work tirelessly to support them in their efforts
for better nutrition, health and wellness."

About Nestle USA
Named one of "America's Most Admired Food Companies" in Fortune magazine for
the twelfth consecutive year, Nestle USA provides quality brands and products
that bring flavor to life every day. From nutritious meals with LEAN CUISINE®
to baking traditions with NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE®, Nestle USA makes delicious,
convenient, and nutritious food and beverage products that enrich the very
experience of life itself. That's what "Nestle. Good Food, Good Life" is all
about. Well-known Nestle brands include: NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE®, NESTLE®
NESQUIK®, NESTLE® COFFEE-MATE®, STOUFFER'S®, LEAN CUISINE®, HOT POCKETS® and
LEAN POCKETS® brand sandwiches, NESCAFE®, NESCAFE® TASTER'S CHOICE®, NESTLE®
JUICY JUICE®, BUITONI®, DREYER'S/EDY'S®, NESTLE® CRUNCH®, NESTLE®
BUTTERFINGER®, and WONKA®. Nestle USA, with 2008 sales of $10 billion is part
of Nestle S.A. in Vevey, Switzerland -- the largest food company in the world
with a focus on Nutrition, Health & Wellness -- with 2008 sales of $101
billion. For product news and information, visit www.NestleNewsroom.com.

About Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation
The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation is a unique partnership between
retailers, non-profit organizations, food and beverage manufacturers and trade
associations aimed at helping to reduce obesity. For more information, go to
www.healthyweightcommit.org.

SOURCE Nestle USA

Edie Burge, +1-818-551-3284, for Nestle USA