NEW YORK — New nutrition, health and wellness initiatives, new partnerships and the launch of campaigns to increase nutrition awareness were among the areas of progress scored by Nestle S.A. during 2011.

“As a core component of Nestle’s ‘Good Food, Good Life’ business philosophy, we are continually working to improve both the quality and quantity of nutritious and delicious products that can be enjoyed by every member of the family and for every way of life,” said Chris Johnson, Nestle’s zone director for the United States, Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean. “With obesity rates on the rise, especially among younger Americans, Nestle recognizes that maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires making smart choices.

At Nestle, we strive to offer healthier food and beverage alternatives, while also providing solutions for portion control. We have introduced specific product improvements focused on adding healthier ingredients like whole grains, while also reducing sodium, fat and sugar in many of our products.”

During 2011, Nestle launched the Healthy Steps for Healthy Lives initiative and Nestle Pure Life Hydration Movement, joined the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, conducted the Nestle Feeding Infants and Toddlers study, launched several new products and continued its work on consumer education.

“Nestle is strongly committed to innovation through product development and is constantly coming up with new ways to offer healthier alternatives that still taste great,” the company said. “Nestle products are developed by the world’s largest private nutrition R.&D. network, comprising of 29 R.&D. centers and more than 5,000 employees worldwide.”

New products introduced in 2011 included Skinny Cow candy, Stouffer’s Farmers’ Harvest and Nestle Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss.

The company also made a range of nutrition and health information easier to access through more comprehensive labeling, additional tools and expanded web sites. Specifically, Nestle enhanced its Nutritional Compass system to help consumers make more informed choices about a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle. The Nutritional Compass, now found on 97% of Nestle packages worldwide, is designed to be “a clear, transparent labeling guide that goes beyond listing figures to help consumers choose healthier and better tasting products,” Nestle said.