Nestl launches food line targeting Ozempic, other weight-loss drug users

Published

3 weeks ago

May 22, 2024

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Nestl is launching a line of food products tailored to people using weight-loss medication in an effort to capitalize on a market expected to reach $30 billion in the next six years.

Under its new Vital Pursuit brand, the global food giant plans to launch 12 products ranging from frozen protein pasta, sandwich melts and pizzas, all of which are made with a higher amount of protein and essential nutrients like iron, vitamin A and potassium. They are also “portion-aligned to a weight loss medication users appetite,” the company said.

It’s the first time the company, known for brands like DiGiorno pizza and Nesquik, created a food brand that’s specifically intended for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) users.

GLP-1 agonists are a class of Type 2 diabetes drugs that improves blood sugar control but may also lead to weight loss. Semaglutide, which is the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic, as well as tirzepatide, which is the active ingredient in Eli Lily’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, are considered GLP-1 drugs.

They have surged in popularity in recent years as people touted the drugs’ weight-loss effects. In turn, food executives are noticing some shoppers’ habits are changing.

For instance, Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner said during an earnings call in November that while it was still too early to tell how this will affect customers and the business, the company has seen “some shifts in categories.”

Before that, Furner acknowledged in an interview with Bloomberg that the company sees “a slight pullback in overall basket.”

“Just less units, slightly less calories,” he said.

At the same time, Nestl sees an opportunity to be at the “forefront” of what it says is a “growing market opportunity.”

Earlier this month, Novo Nordisk told FOX Business that at least 25,000 Americans are beginning treatment with Wegovy each week and that figure is growing.

The Danish pharmaceutical giant, which has been ramping up production capacity to meet demand, said that there are currently “four times” the number of U.S. patients starting the medication compared with December 2023.

In 2023, one in 60 adults were prescribed a GLP-1 medication, according to the American Pharmacists Association.

By 2030, the number of GLP-1 users in the U.S. could reach 30 million, or around 9% of the overall population, according to JPMorgan. The market is projected to exceed $100 billion by that same year, “driven equally by diabetes and obesity usage,” the firm noted.

“As the use of medications to support weight loss continues to rise, we see an opportunity to serve those consumers,” Nestl North America CEO Steve Presley said. “Were leveraging our deep understanding of consumers and nutritional science to stay ahead of the trends that are shaping consumer behaviors, and innovating across our portfolio to deliver products people will love.”

Nestl said it plans to sell the products for less than $5, but that prices may vary by retailer.

They will hit stores in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Politics

Musk promises ban on Apple, Greenpeace calls for Bitcoin’s PoS, and other news: Hodler’s Digest, June 9-15

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2024

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Musk promises ban on Apple, Greenpeace calls for Bitcoin’s PoS, and other news: Hodler’s Digest, June 9-15

Elon Musk threatens to ban Apple devices if they integrate with ChatGPT, Greenpeace calls for a shift in Bitcoin’s consensus mechanism, and more.

Environment

Tesla Cybertruck deliveries halted amid problem with giant windshield wiper

Published

1 hour ago

June 15, 2024

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Tesla Cybertruck deliveries halted amid problem with giant windshield wiper

Tesla has reportedly halted Cybertruck deliveries amid a problem with the motor of its giant windshield wiper.

The Cybertruck is equipped with the biggest wiper put on a consumer vehicle.

It’s the result of Tesla’s design, which aimed to have a straight line from the front-end all the way to the apex of the roof – resulting in nowhere to hide wipers between the hood and the windshield.

Instead, Tesla opted to have a single giant exposed wiper with a vertical resting position for aerodynamic reasons.

In my review of the Cybertruck, I noted that we had some problems with it, like starting on its own for no reason and staying down as a resting position rather than up. However, I chalked this up as being due to Tesla’s notoriously bad auto windshield wiper system, which is common on all Tesla vehicles – not just the Cybertruck.

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Now, many Cybertruck buyers are reporting that Tesla has delayed their deliveries, indicating a roughly week-long halt on deliveries, and some were told by Tesla that it had to do with the windshield wiper motor (via Cybertruck Owners Club).

Some buyers were told that Tesla would have to replace the windshield wiper motor on all Cybertruck, but this has yet to be confirmed.

No recall notice has been released yet.

Electrek’s Take

As I previously reported, we had some issues with ours last month when reviewing the Cybertruck.

I chalked it up to the terrible Tesla auto wiper, but now that I think about it, it’s possible that it wasn’t that.

Tesla’s auto wipers are known to start when they shouldn’t and don’t start when they should. The Cybertruck’s wipers were doing that, but they were also starting and stopping at the bottom rather than at the top position and just staying there.

I’m not sure if it has to do with this or if it’s completely unrelated. I expect that we will learn more in the next few days.

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Entertainment

Gordon Ramsay ‘lucky to be alive’ after bike accident

Published

2 hours ago

June 15, 2024

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Gordon Ramsay 'lucky to be alive' after bike accident

Gordon Ramsay has said he is “lucky to be alive” after a “really bad accident” riding his bike in the US.

The TV chef, 57, warned his 7.6 million followers on X and 17 million on Instagram to “wear a helmet” after the incident in Connecticut this week.

He thanked the “incredible trauma surgeons, doctors, and nurses” at the state’s private Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, but said he is “most thankful for my helmet that saved my life”.

In a graphic video, he revealed a huge bruise covering much of his torso and said: “I’m lucky to be standing here.

“I am in pain, it’s been a brutal week, but I am sort of getting through it.”

On Instagram, he referred to himself as “looking like a purple potato” but said he “did not break any bones or suffer any major injuries”.

“You’ve got to wear a helmet,” he added. “I don’t care how short the journey is. I don’t care that these helmets cost money, they’re crucial.”

He signed off by wishing people a happy Father’s Day.

“I want to wish you all a happy Father’s Day, but please, please, please wear a helmet. If I didn’t, honestly, I wouldn’t be here now.”

Ramsay became a father for the sixth time in November when his wife Tana gave birth to their son Jesse James Ramsay aged 49.

The couple, who have been married for almost 30 years, are also parents to Megan, Matilda, twins Jack and Holly, and Oscar.

Ramsay is a keen cyclist and has completed several endurance challenges, including triathlons and Iron Mans.

He came under fire during the coronavirus lockdown for travelling to his second home in Cornwall, where he would often film himself cycling long distances.