Bel Group CEO Cécile Béliot on Fixing the Food System and Promoting Healthy Eating

About Bel Group

• 🇫🇷 Bel Group is a French family-owned company with a 169-year history, known for brands like Babybel and Go Squeeze.
• 🇺🇸 The company has operated in the US for 50 years and considers it its first country in terms of net sales and growth potential.

Influencing Consumer Choices and Retailers

• 🎯 Bel Group is working with retailers on a "pairing strategy" to encourage healthier eating habits, such as pairing Babybel with carrots or vegetables.
• 🤝 Retailers are increasingly aware of their accountability in how the world is fed and are seeking partnerships to improve food offerings.
• 📣 Béliot emphasizes that if a company of Bel's size can implement changes towards regenerative agriculture and healthier food, larger companies can too.

Shifting Towards Healthier Food Systems

• 🗣️ There's a growing momentum and open conversation about industry-level commitments to help children's health, influencing product promotion, selection, merchandising, and pricing.
• 🇯🇵 Japan's low obesity rate is highlighted as an example, attributed to early-age nutrition education integrated into school programs.
• ⚠️ A significant concern is the 40% of kids in the US suffering from chronic diseases related to poor eating habits.

Addressing Global Nutrition Challenges

• 🌍 The issue of health is framed as a global one, not just an American concern, noting deficiencies in places like Nigeria alongside booming rates of obesity and diabetes.
• 💡 Béliot's obsession is demonstrating that it's possible to feed the world with high-nutrient-density foods from dairy, fruits, and vegetables, making them accessible and easy for families and children.
• 📈 The expectation is that current positive conversations about improving food systems will continue and lead to tangible actions.