Food, drinks giant Nestle says net profit, sales slip amid currency moves, 'difficult' time

PARIS – Food and drinks giant Nestle says sales and net profit declined slightly in the first half due to currency fluctuations and the recall of Maggi noodles in India.

The Swiss company behind Nescafe, Stouffer's, Haagen Dazs and Perrier says sales fell to 42.8 billion Swiss francs (39.3 billion euro) from 42.981 billion a year earlier. Net profit slipped to 4.5 billion francs from 4.634 billion a year earlier.

Revenues were dented by appreciation of the Swiss currency and the recall of Maggi Noodles in India earlier this year after government tests found lead above legal levels.

CEO Paul Bulcke says the results were "solid even in difficult circumstances" and that Nestle S.A. was confirming its outlook for growth in the full year.