The tables below give details of some recent violations. The date when the violation was last reported to Baby Milk Action or confirmed to be current is given. The violation reference is for Baby Milk Action's records. Please quote it if forwarding correspondence to us, if possible.

• Nestlé breaks its promises in the Ukraine
• Abbott Ross promotion of Isomil in Brazil
• SMA advertises ready-to-use milks in the UK

Nestlé breaks its promises in the Ukraine

Company	Item	Date	Violation Reference
Nestlé	Label of Piltti infant formula	November 1998	comp/98/33

The baby food industry is aggressively entering the markets of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. We have reported on past action sheets how it has used methods in these new markets which have been effectively stopped in most parts of the world (see, for example, Nestlé in Armenia - new market, old methods on the November 1997 action sheet). This trend continues with Nestlé Piltti infant formula, being marketed in Ukraine.

Article 9.2 of the International Code states: "Neither the container nor the label should have pictures of infants, nor should they have other pictures or text which may idealize the use of infant formula."

Nestlé's Public Relations booklet Nestlé Complying with the WHO Code states "Nestlé does not use pictures of babies on its infant formula packages." and claims "Nestlé international auditors regularly assess Code compliance in our Companies around the world"

Yet an idealizing picture appears on its Piltti infant formula (shown below) which is manufactured in Finland. It shows an infant foot being caressed by an adult hand.

Write to Nestlé and ask it to remove the idealizing picture from its Piltti infant formula (as used on batch reference 181 sold in the Ukraine). Ask Nestlé to explain why it produced such a pack when idealizing and infant pictures are banned by Article 9.2 of the International Code. Ask it to withdraw its misleading booklet Nestlé: Complying with the WHO Code.

Violation	Complain to
Idealizing pictures are banned by Article 9.2.	Mr. Peter Brabeck, CEO Nestlé, 55, av. Nestlé, 1800 Vevey, Switzerland. Fax: 41 21 922 6334

Abbott Ross promotion of Isomil in Brazil

Company	Item	Date	Violation Reference
Abbott Ross	Weighing scale cover sheet	November 1998	comp/98/34

On the October 1998 Campaign for Ethical Marketing action sheet we revealed that Abbott Ross was distributing free supplies of Similac infant formula in Brazil. Now we find that Abbott Ross is promoting its Isomil infant formula in the Brazilian health care system in flagrant violation of the International Code.

Article 6.2 of the International Code states, "No facility of a health care system should be used for the purpose of promoting infant formula or other products within the scope of this Code." Article 4 of the Brazilian marketing regulations for infant foods bans the commercial promotion of breastmilk substitutes.

Despite these restrictions Abbott Ross has manufactured and distributed a disposable cover sheet for scales for weighing infants. The sheet bears the name Isomil with the slogan "The best formula for infants with diarrhoea." Isomil is based on soya rather than cow's milk and is marketed for feeding of infants with cow's milk protein allergy. This promotional method not only breaks the International Code, it may persuade parents to use Isomil if their child suffers from diarrhoea. However, if bottle-fed infants suffer diarrhoea it is more likely due to infection than allergy to cow's milk protein. Switching from breastfeeding to Isomil would actually increase risks to health. Research conducted in Brazil found that bottle-fed infants were 14.2 times more likely to die as a result of diarrhoea caused by infection than exclusively breastfed infants (Ref: Victora et al. Infant Feeding and Deaths Due to Diarrhoea, American Journal of Epidemiology 1989; Vol. 129, No. 5 pages 1032-1041.). The International Code clearly states that it is a health worker's responsibility to advise parents. It also explicitly bans the provision of materials bearing brand names (Article 6.8).

Write to Abbott Ross and ask it to explain why it has manufactured a cover sheet for weighing scales bearing the Isomil name. Ask if it knows that such items are forbidden by the Articles 6.2 and 6.8 of the International Code and Article 4 of the Brazilian Marketing Regulations for Infant Foods.

Violation	Complain to
Promotion in the health care system is banned by Articles 6.2 and materials bearing brand names are banned by Article 6.8.	Mr. Duane L. Burnham Chief Executive Officer Abbott Laboratories 1 Abbott Park Road Abbott Park IL 60064-3500 USA. Fax:+1 847 938 1342

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