Nestle defends itself over ‘Russia presence’

Bloomberg

Nestle SA said access to food is a basic right and a key value for the world’s largest food company following criticism the Swiss firm didn’t scale down its Russian activities quickly enough after the war in Ukraine started.
After pressure built up, Nestle said it suspended the vast majority of manufacturing in Russia while maintaining the sale of essential products such as infant formula and medical nutrition.
“To some, it may have appeared that Nestle was not listening closely enough, or that we were not acting quickly enough in response to current events,” CEO Mark Schneider said in remarks for the company’s annual meeting. “But, even in times of war, we believe universal values and principles should continue to apply.”
Schneider addressed the calls companies, including Nestle, have faced to go beyond international sanctions and leave the Russian market.