Nestle

Nestlé S.A. is a Swiss multinational food and beverage company headquartered in Vevey, in the canton of Vaud. It is one of the largest food companies in the world by revenue, with a diversified portfolio spanning beverages, dairy products, cereals, confectionery, prepared foods, pet care, and nutrition products. The company operates in around 190 countries and employs tens of thousands of people.

Nestlé traces its origins to 1866, when Henri Nestlé, a pharmacist, developed a life-saving infant food and founded the Farine Lactée Nestlé company in Vevey. In 1905, it merged with the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company to form Nestlé & Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, later shortened to Nestlé. Through the 20th century it expanded through acquisitions and product innovations, with milestones such as the introduction of Nescafé in 1938 and the growth of brands including Nespresso, KitKat, Maggi, Gerber, and Purina.

Nestlé operates through multiple business lines that cover nutrition and health science, beverages, dairy, cereals, confectionery, and pet care. It maintains a global network of manufacturing and research facilities, including Nestlé Research in Lausanne, and emphasizes nutrition, health, and wellness across its product portfolio. The company markets dozens of well-known brands and holds a substantial share of consumer packaged goods markets worldwide.

Nestlé has faced criticism related to infant formula marketing practices in some markets and concerns over environmental impact, including water use, packaging, and supply-chain sustainability. It has pursued sustainability initiatives aimed at responsible sourcing, packaging reform, and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, alongside efforts to improve transparency and governance.