Nestle Admits Milo Isn’t Healthy By Dropping Its Health Star Rating

We all grew up drinking Milo and if you’re a parent now, you’re probably passing the tradition to your children. The powdered chocolate drink has been a breakfast staple for countless families across the world. Besides, it’s a healthy drink, right?

Well not exactly, according to Nestle in Australia. According to recent reports, the company has opted to drop Milo’s high health rating following criticism from health experts.

Health advocates claim the brand has been “tricking” consumers into believing Milo is actually nutritious.

To their defense, Nestle said that Milo’s 4.5 Health Star Rating was based on the approved guidelines which meant consumers use three teaspoons of Milo with a glass of skim milk.

Meanwhile, health experts and the Choice consumer group say that on its own, Milo only deserves a 1.5 star rating.

Katinka Day, Choice head of campaigns and policy, commented:

“To claim a health star rating by adding nutritionally superior ingredients of another product is not helpful, especially for people who eat their Milo with full cream milk, or even straight out of the can or on ice-cream.

“It’s a move that smacks of marketing trickery rather than a genuine attempt to help consumers make an informed choice.”

Nestle will be removing Milo’s 4.5 Health Star Rating.

Day further added:

“When people see a chocolate-based powdered product that is high in sugar carrying a 4.5-star rating, they rightfully question health star ratings.”

Margaret Stuart, spokesperson of Nestle, said that the rating removal will only apply for the powdered drink but other Milo-related products will retain it.

She has also mentioned that the company stays committed to the health star rating system and that the removal would be “pending the outcome of the government review of the system and will help to avoid confusion among consumers and reduce the risk of damage to a system the company supports.”