Brands
Nestlé picks up a minority bone in Drools as India’s pet food unicorn gets global tailwind
MUMBAI: India’s pet care sector just got a global paw of approval. Nestlé S.A., the Swiss consumer goods giant and parent of Nestlé India, has picked up a minority stake in Drools Pet Food Pvt. Ltd., the country’s first home-grown pet food brand. The investment, confirmed on 26 May, does not alter Drools’ operational independence.
The move follows a 2023 investment from L Catterton, a global consumer-focussed private equity firm, which also holds a minority share. With both heavyweights now backing it, Drools appears well-fed for global expansion.
Founded in 2010, Drools has built a robust presence across 40,000 Indian retail outlets and exports to 22 countries. Its recent entry into India’s unicorn club only underscores its appetite for growth.
“This is a testament to the love and trust of millions of pet parents and to our unwavering commitment to quality”, said Drools founder Fahim Sultan. “Backed by a strong focus on science-based nutrition, Drools continues to drive innovation and build meaningful engagement with the evolving demographic of Indian pet parents, positioning itself at the forefront of the country’s pet care industry”.
The company runs six manufacturing units and operates out of a 16-lakh sq. ft. warehousing footprint. With a workforce of 3,400 employees, including 1,800 sales professionals, Drools currently offers over 650 SKUs spanning high-protein, prescription, and value-for-money diets. It also maintains a stronghold in the cat food category and leads pet food sales on platforms like Amazon.
“Drools has achieved significant growth since we invested in the company two years ago”, said L Catterton partner & head of India Anjana Sasidharan. “We are thrilled that Nestlé, that has such a renowned position in the global pet care and consumer brands space, joins as a minority partner”.
Brands
ITC Sunfeast Farmlite launches Sugar Free Cookies range
New variants offer guilt-free indulgence for health-conscious snackers.
MUMBAI: ITC Sunfeast Farmlite is sweetening the deal for biscuit lovers who want to have their cookie and eat it too without the sugar. The better-for-you biscuits range from ITC Foods has expanded its portfolio with the launch of an all-new Sugar Free Cookies line, aligning with the company’s vision of ‘Help India Eat Better’. The range is designed for consumers who are rethinking sugar in their daily snacking but refuse to compromise on taste and indulgence.
The collection debuts with two tempting variants: Choco Nut Cookies and Hazelnut & Oats Cookies. Both are a source of protein and contain no trans-fat, while the Hazelnut & Oats variant is also lactose-free.
ITC Ltd. vice president (marketing), biscuits, foods division, Suraj Kathuria said, “At Sunfeast Farmlite, we believe mindful snacking should never come at the cost of indulgence. With this launch, we are catering to the growing need for guilt-free snacking while delivering a rich, satisfying cookie experience.”
ITC Ltd. vice president & head of food sciences for foods division Dr Shantanu Das added, “We have applied robust food science to develop cookies that are sugar-free while preserving the taste and texture consumers love.”
Each cookie comes in convenient single-serve packs to maintain texture and freshness. Both variants are available in 100g packs priced at ₹100 and can be found on quick-commerce platforms including Blinkit, Swiggy Instamart, and Zepto.
In a market increasingly leaning towards healthier choices, ITC Sunfeast Farmlite’s new Sugar Free Cookies prove that cutting sugar doesn’t mean cutting joy. For the health-conscious yet indulgent snacker, this could be the perfect bite-sized solution.
