By Shaid Shah, Global President Mars Food & Nutrition
At Mars Food & Nutrition, everything we do is guided by our purpose – Better Food Today. A Better World Tomorrow. And this World Food Day (16 October 2024), The Food and Agriculture Organization’s theme is “right to foods for a better life and a better future” putting a spotlight on the vital importance of being able to access a diverse, nutritious, affordable and safe diet. We couldn’t agree more.
At Mars Food & Nutrition, we’re a growing food business focused on delivering meals through our iconic brands such as Ben’s Original, Dolmio, MasterFoods and Kevin’s Natural Foods, in more than 30 markets around the world.
We believe food is fundamental to humanity. It fuels our bodies, giving us the nutrients we need. It nourishes our souls, bringing enjoyment, comfort and even excitement. It brings us together, as families, friends and communities, and helps us explore different cultures.
Unfortunately, billions of people around the world don’t enjoy the many benefits of delicious, healthy food. That simply isn’t good enough.
The reasons for this are as numerous as they are complex. Many of us have never been taught what a healthy, nutritionally complete diet is, let alone how to make it varied and tasty. And our increasingly busy lives can get in the way of eating well.
We have a firm belief that we can all eat better. At Mars Food & Nutrition, our 2,000 Associates have the know-how, the skill, and the passion to create real, meaningful change. We can help bring the benefits of healthy, delicious food to more people.
Our mission is to make food:
Healthy. Food that does more than just keep us well, it helps us thrive physically, mentally, and socially. Food that is varied and nutritionally dense, so it nourishes mind, body and soul.
To achieve this, we have put in place ambitious health and wellbeing commitments and strict nutrition criteria that guide our new innovations and product formulations.
This is why we have tomato sauces in our portfolio that help you reach your daily vegetable intake while remaining low in added sugar, and why our ready meals are packed with nutrients such as fibre.
We’re proud to be bringing healthier meals to people around the world. In 2023, we delivered 3.1 billion healthy meals, including 346 million servings of vegetables and 120 million fibre servings, and we have reduced sodium in our products by 5.1% since 2019.
Tasty. Food that brings delicious global flavours and fosters connections. Tastes and experiences that transport us both back in time and take us to new, exciting places. Flavour that pushes the boundaries for what healthy tastes like.
Across our portfolio, we’re bringing global cuisines and flavours to the everyday, whether it’s Indian, Mexican or Italian. We know that people are looking for flavours that pack a punch but are still simple to prepare.
Accessible. Making it easier for everyone to enjoy the benefits of healthy food. This means making food widely available, varied, easy to cook and understand, as well as helping those that have difficulty accessing or understanding how to make healthy meals.
We work with our partners around the world to deliver healthy meals to those who need them most, donating over 33 million meals worldwide since 2021.
As the Global President of Mars Food & Nutrition, I know that we have a crucial role and critical responsibility to transform the way food is produced and consumed today, and for future generations.
We will continue to help people eat healthy and tasty food, and do so in a way which supports our planet and our farmers.
After all, we believe everyone has the right to foods for a better life and a better future.
#BetterFoodTodayABetterWorldTomorrow
