Nestle pulls KitKat, Nesquik most other brands out of Russia
The Nestle food company announced it will suspend the sale in Russia of its brands such as KitKat and Nesquik, the BBC is reporting.
The move comes after Ukrainian politicians, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, criticized the company for continuing to supply Russia with its products.
The company had stopped investing in Russia but had continued to sell its brands in the country, according to a press release.
“As the war rages in Ukraine, our activities in Russia will focus on providing essential food — not on making a profit,” Nestle said.
“We are fully complying with all international sanctions on Russia,” it added.
Nestle had stopped shipments of products such as Nespresso coffee capsules and San Pellegrino water while it continued to sell other brands, the BBC reported.
Nestle said it continued to do business in Russia because, “We have a responsibility toward our more than 7,000 employees in Russia — most of whom are locals.”
The company will continue to sell infant food and medical and hospital nutrition.
“While we do not expect to make a profit in the country or pay any related taxes for the foreseeable future in Russia, any profit will be donated to humanitarian relief organizations,” it said.
“We stand with the people of Ukraine and our 5,800 employees there,” Nestle said in the statement.
