Nestlé, the maker of Nescafé coffee and Maggi instant noodles, highlighted the strain food companies are facing because of food price inflation and environmental campaigns, including those aimed at reducing demand for bottled water.

The food company yesterday said revenue grew 9.8 per cent to SFr25.7bn ($25.4bn) in the first quarter, mostly because the company was able to pass on the rising cost of food to customers but warned that rising food prices made it tougher to sell packaged foods in emerging markets.