Nestlé Canada completes US$35M Toronto confectionery factory expansion
The investment adds a flexible moulding line for KitKat and Aero, while Nestlé faces separate FSSAI adjudication cases involving infant nutrition products in India.
CANADA – Nestlé Canada has completed an investment of more than CAD $50 million (US$35 million) to expand and modernise its confectionery factory in downtown Toronto, adding production capacity and new manufacturing capabilities.
The project added production space, advanced manufacturing equipment and expanded site utilities at the facility, which has operated in Toronto for more than 100 years.
A key part of the investment is the installation of a new flexible moulding line designed to manufacture KitKat and Aero products.
Nestlé said the equipment will provide greater production flexibility and support growth across its confectionery portfolio. The factory also produces other Canadian brands, including Smarties.
Chandra Kumar, president and CEO of Nestlé Canada, said the investment would provide the workforce with new capacity and capability to support the company’s next phase of growth and innovation in confectionery.
The site layout was also redesigned to improve logistics and reduce traffic disruption on Sterling Road.
Nestlé said the expansion supports its responsible sourcing commitments. Confectionery products manufactured at the Toronto facility use cocoa sourced through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan, while the company also sources cocoa through its Income Accelerator Program.
The programme currently reaches approximately 45,000 cocoa-farming families in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. Nestlé said the initiative aims to address farming households’ income gap and reduce child labour risk.
The Toronto factory forms part of Nestlé’s wider Canadian manufacturing network. The company employs approximately 3,500 people across around 12 locations in Canada.
FSSAI cases in India
In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated three separate adjudication cases against Nestlé India Limited over alleged non-compliance involving infant nutrition products and promotional material.
According to an FSSAI adjudication sanction notice, the regulator examined infant nutrition products manufactured by Nestlé India and promotional material available on e-commerce platforms.
FSSAI said it observed claims relating to “5 HMOs” and “Whey Protein” in NAN Excella Pro Stage 1, while Lactogen Pro 1 carried a claim that “Whey Protein” was easy to digest. The regulator sought clarifications from Nestlé India regarding these claims.
The products were found to be in contravention of Regulation 4(2) of the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, which restricts promotional claims or material intended to increase the saleability of infant foods.
FSSAI also cited Section 3 of the Infant Milk Substitutes Act, 1992, which prohibits advertising and promotion of such products.
Separately, a sample of Follow-up Formula manufactured by Nestlé India was found to be sub-standard with respect to its biotin content during laboratory analysis.
Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.
