The head of the world's biggest food company has warned rising food prices could trigger food revolts like they did in 2008.

Swiss giant Nestle Chairman Peter Brabeck told an Austrian newspaper rising prices were a product of a growing world population, the rise of a middle class in countries like India that is keen to eat more meat, and the increasing demand for water.

Comparing the situation to 2008 when food riots took place in many countries Mr Brabeck said: 'The situation is similar. This has become the new reality.'

The riots three years ago were triggered when the price of cereals reached historic levels and created outcry and crisis in many African nations as well as in Haiti and the Philippines.

In September the UN food agency's food price index came in at 225 points, just higher than the peak it hit in June 2008. It is down from the record 237.7 points hit in February this year.

Mr Brabeck said: 'Food prices have reached a level that is substantially higher than before. They will probably settle down at these levels.'

'Of course you feel this differently if you live in a developing country and spend 80 percent of your income on food compared to here, where it is maybe eight per cent.'

Rising food prices are believed to have contributed to the 'Arab Spring' unrest in the Middle East this year.

Mr Brabeck pledged to reach the company's growth goals but said it was increasingly difficult.

He said: 'We will continue to hit our long-term target of 5-6 percent organic growth per year but it will become more demanding'.

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