Unilever 2005 Annual Report Download - page 32

Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2005 29
Operating review by category
Foods
Report of the Directors
Highlights in 2005 included:
• The growth of healthier innovations, such as Becel/Flora
pro•activ and Knorr Vie, is a direct result of our vitality strategy.
• We completed our nutritional enhancement programme. Over
16 000 products have been assessed for levels of trans fats,
saturated fats, sodium and sugars, and, where necessary, action
has been taken to reduce them.
• Our R&D has been restructured to operate as a single,
integrated organisation, enabling us to leverage our global
scale and allocate resources more productively.
We are embracing vitality at the core of our Foods brands,
ensuring they deliver the nutritional and health benefits that
consumers are increasingly demanding, as well as that essential
ingredient for success – great taste.
Becel/Flora pro•activ is a case in point. Originally launched as a
spread to help people reduce their cholesterol, Becel/Flora
pro•activ has extended rapidly into a range that includes milk
drinks, yoghurt products and minidrinks. This no longer relates
only to cholesterol, as there is now a mini-drink to help people
control blood pressure. In fact, the brand has proved so effective
in improving heart health, as part of a balanced diet, that the
Netherlands’ largest health insurer, VGZ, is rewarding its policy
holders financially when they buy Becel/Flora pro•activ products.
To help consumers meet their daily nutritional requirements, we
also launched Knorr Vie mini shots in Europe. Free of preservatives
and other additives, these convenient natural drinks help
consumers on their way towards their daily fruit and vegetable
needs. Other advances included new fruit variants of our
nutritionally rich, soy-based drink, AdeS, in Latin America. Like so
many of our brands that have embraced vitality, AdeS has proved
a success and will be extended to other markets. Our dedicated
new vitality platforms group are actively creating numerous future
opportunities such as the ones mentioned above.
In all cases, whether we’re communicating the health benefits of
Lipton tea or the vitality credentials of Hellmann’s, we only make
health and nutrition claims for our brands that are supported by
robust, scientifically-validated evidence. This approach is
underpinned by a strict claims guidance framework, as well as a
commitment to make nutritional information available to
consumers.
Improved quality has been another theme of our innovations,
reflected in the launch of our gourmet-standard Bertolli Dinner
for Two frozen range, a major success in the US. Knorr has also
produced exceptional results in the Netherlands and other
European countries with its new, high quality wet soups in
pouches (also sold as Unox), as has our ice cream business with its
new and intensely flavoured Magnum Five Senses.
For developing and emerging markets, we have continued to
make our products more affordable through packaging and price-
per-serving with pioneering products such as Knorr Cubitos
seasoning cubes.
While consumers increasingly look for ways to eat healthily out of
home, they are not willing to sacrifice taste and convenience. This
often challenges foodservice operators to offer food that meets all
the needs of their customers. Our Unilever Foodsolutions business
gives foodservice professionals products that deliver delicious
taste, consistent quality, convenience and healthier menu options.
In 2005 we launched Knorr Coulis, a new innovative range of
pure sauces made from freshly mashed vegetables. To be used as
a warm or cold sauce or as a natural ingredient, Knorr Coulis
creatively refines and decorates all types of dishes. With its pure,
high quality ingredients, its fresh authentic taste and exciting
colours, it is a solution that brings chefmanship and vitality
naturally together.