A RESPONSE FROM NESTLÉ - STOP NESTLÉ - http://stop-nestle.cjb.net

- by Helper Dude
(...with a lil bit o' help from Samira)

On this page:

If ever you write to Nestlé, this is the reply you'll get. Do yourself a favour and, when contacting them, don't give them your e-mail address, home address or phone number. They'll only fob you off with this... read it and weep.

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your e-mail about Nestlé and its alleged irregular marketing of baby milk in third world countries.

Helper Dude says: It's not so much 'alleged' as it is proven, but that's just pedanticism, and I digress...

Let me first introduce myself. I am, myself, a parent of two daughters aged 19 and 15 and have worked for Nestlé in the UK since October 1999, having moved over after working for 10 years with Nestlé in Sri Lanka as Chief Legal Officer.

The authors daughters have not changed age now for the past three years, it's quite distressing. One must wonder if it is a botched canister of Nestlé's Babymilk that is to blame for their stunted growth?

There is a lot of misunderstanding about how we sell infant formula products in the developing world. Our practices changed many years ago to reflect concerns about the use of infant formula and to make sure our marketing policies were in line with the World Health Organisation's Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and/or national laws and guidelines which implement the Code.

There is not so much 'confusion', as there is disgust and abhorrence. The World Health Organisation, who has been referenced here have also condemned the practice.

Let me thus start by stating very clearly that in developing countries we do not advertise or promote infant formula to mothers, we do not give incentives to health workers for promoting our products, we do not have pictures of babies on packs and we do not employ 'milk nurses' to persuade mothers to use our products. In fact, our policy is to have no direct contact at all with mothers regarding any infant formula products.

That's simply a lie. A quick glance at the media in Poland, Korea or Taiwan (for just 3 examples) shows 'Infant formula' is very highly promoted. .:(Samira's two pennies' worth: They do it in Egypt and Vietnam too):.
Furthermore, there is more to Baby-Milk than just Infant Formula. In African countries doctors work on a commission to instruct new Mothers to use the Infant formula, following this it becomes impossible for women to breastfeed and the women are forced to use the numerous versions of Nestlés Babymilk, with the deadly consequences as outlined on this site, which are heavily promoted throughout the developing nations.

Since 1993/1994, we have phased out free supplies to hospitals and now only give quantities of formula if requested by Governments in very special circumstances. This might be for orphanages, in the event of a military or natural disaster or for social welfare reasons such as multiple births or when a mother has died. Further, for purposes of professional evaluation one or two cans of infant formula may be given to health professionals only once during their life-time, but this is subject to very strict controls.

Even giving these supposedly 'few' supplies of breastmilk-substitute is illegal, and indeed, as we outlined above, most of the 'infant formula' is not free. Doctors are working for it. There are literally thousands of violations of international codes of ethics and conduct where Nestlé has been shown to be promoted this formula through unsavoury and deceptive methods. Indeed the carefully worded article you are here reading is further proof of the deceptive way Nestlé operates.

The reason we have such strong internal policies on marketing is that we firmly believe that breast-feeding is the best way to feed a baby, and we are committed to the protection and promotion of breast-feeding.
Indeed, we are one of the world's largest distributors of educational material supporting exclusive breast-feeding. We ensure that our product labels state that breast-feeding is best for babies and that our preparation instructions are presented graphically and in the relevant local languages.

Nestlé's "strong internal policies" include lobbying Governments for exemptions from international Rules, ethics and conduct regarding Baby Milk. Indeed it has taken a writ against the Indian government hoping to strike out key sections of law which prohibits labelling their products with infants, etc

However, the simple truth is that many women in the developing world both breast-feed and give their babies other foods. They rarely use infant formula, preferring cheaper local foods like plain water, sugar-water, unpasteurised cow's milk or fruit juices. These foods can be hazardous to young babies and this is the primary problem of infant health and nutrition in the developing world today.

Post-breastfeeding, indigenous foods rich in nutrients are to be used, as outlined by the United Nations. One of the problems with infant formula, and other baby-milk formulas, is that in order to be used water must be added, and this water can carry thousands of diseases and ultimately be fatal to a baby. Something Nestlé is well aware of, but it still pursues its aggressive marketing policy. Indeed, in the Ivory Coast it promoted a series of advertisements informing women that formula is actually better than Breast Milk!

But many women cannot, or choose not to, breast-feed. This may be for medical reasons or because they have to return to paid employment.

In Certain African nations, Nestlé promoted it's Fomulas by suggesting that Children could catch AIDS if they were breast-fed, and suggesting that its formula was clinically made so as to kill the germs and diseases found in well water. Pure rubbish of course.

Infant formula is the only product recommended by the UN's Food Standards Board as a suitable alternative to breast-milk. In many cases it saves lives. Thus, on a more personal note, I, too, gave my daughters infant formula when I returned to work on completion of my statutory paid maternity leave. It is this band of ever-increasing working mothers in the developing world, like myself, for whom infant formula is available as an alternative. This is why infant formula is still a valid and important product today, and it is why we continue to sell it throughout the world.

Beverley Mirando can give her children baby milk formula for whatever reason, safe in the knowledge that it will not kill her children. This is not the same for the millions of infants and babies in the third world and developing countries where Nestlé heavily promotes its deadly formulas.

We, at Nestlé, believe it is time to move on from confrontation about infant formula to a more constructive agenda that helps educate women about the benefits of exclusive breast-feeding and the dangers of adding unsuitable foods to their babies' diets.

Nestlé promotes, aggressively, these "unsuitable foods" and does so for no other than to increase its profits.

More detailed information can be found at our website located at www.babymilk.nestle.com and our student website www.nestlé.co.uk/studentissues. We are also sending you a pdf of our document "Nestlé and infant feeding in developing countries: Important questions".

This site gives you all the information you need

Further, we announced, for the first time, in our Sustainability Review (March 2002 - page 41) results of our internal audits, as well as the appointment of an internal ombudsman system that allows employees to draw attention to potential violations of the WHO Code outside the chain of line management.

An internal ombudsman will be a staff member of Nestlé, a company known for deceit. The real ombudsman should be from the UN. But the UN has repeatedly condemned Nestlé for its repulsive practices

I hope the above information will demonstrate to you our commitment to endeavour to comply with the WHO Code and/or national laws and guidelines both in the developed and developing world, our ultimate goal being the well-being of both mother and infant. If you feel you need further clarification please do not hesitate to get in touch.

I hope the above propaganda shows how Nestlé distort the truth, carefully twist the English language so as to hide their gross mis-use of promotional materials. They claim here of "endeavouring to comply with the WHO Code"! The WHO code is the bare minimum any company has to do. That Nestlé are struggling to comply with the international communities bare minimum requirements says everythng you need to know about Nestlé

Alternatively, if you would like us to send some literature please provide a postal address.

.:No, no, please don't:.

Yours sincerely

Mrs Beverley Mirando Senior Policy Adviser

Samira forwarded the original e-mail from Ms Mirando (or rather, her PA) to babymilkaction.org and this is the response she got

Subject: Response from Nestlé
From: "Baby Milk Action" [info@babymilkaction.org]

Dear Samira,

The reply you have received from Beverley Mirando at Nestlé is a standard one sent by her to boycott supporters and those who contact Nestlé to query their marketing methods.

You will find current information on our website at http://www.babymilkaction.org which refutes the claims made in the letter.

In particular you might like to use the Latest News section at the foot of the front page for links to our most recent newsletter, campaigns sheets and press releases. You will also find information in the Boycott and Resources Sections. Our leaflet "Nice Design, Shame about the Text" analyses some of the claims Nestlé have made in recent corporate PR documents. This briefing can be accessed in the downloads part of the Resources. You will also find the Your Questions Answered section useful.

If you would prefer us to send printed information on the Campaign I would be grateful if you could send me a postal address.

Thank you for your interest in the issue.

Best Wishes

Alison Mortlock
Office Manager
Baby Milk Action

Visit our website http://www.babymilkaction.org/

Baby Milk Action is the UK member of the International Baby Food Action Network - IBFAN - http://www.ibfan.org/ - winner of the 1998 Right Livelihood Award

Nestlé's Response

If ever you write to Nestlé, this is the reply you'll get. Do yourself a favour and, when contacting them, don't give them your e-mail address, home address or phone number. They'll only fob you off with this... read it and weep.

Samira forwarded the original e-mail from Ms Mirando (or rather, her PA) to babymilkaction.org and this is the response she got