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 bribes doctors in Pakistan - new law is vital
• Hipp promotion in Latvia
  
• Nestlé Chief to blame for labelling fiasco in Malawi

Nestlé bribes doctors in Pakistan - new law is vital

Company	Item	Date	Violation Reference
Nestlé	Institutionalised malpractice	Report launched 15th February 2000	comp/00/04

Pakistan has had a draft law implementing the International Code and Resolutions in existence since 1992. Despite being opposed by Nestlé, the law is with the Ministry of Health and only requires approval by the new administration to go into force.

A law is vital as there are widespread violations of the International Code and Resolutions in Pakistan. A report published in 1998 (Feeding Fiasco) documented bribes to doctors, provision of free samples, promotion through the health care system and labels without required information. Now a new report, Milking Profits, has been launched based on documentary evidence provided by a former Nestlé employee, Syed Aamar Raza.

Evidence from Mr. Raza, such as minutes of meetings, copies of cheques, memos, pay-slips and so on, demonstrates that senior executives are responsible for this malpractice. Mr. Raza sent a Legal Notice to the company calling on it to stop these activities and claims that the Group Brand Manager came to his home town and threatened his life.

Mr. Raza also claims he was offered a large sum of money by his previous supervisor to drop his action. Undaunted, he has continued to publicise his evidence and launched the report in the UK with Baby Milk Action at the British Medical Association on 15th February.

Shortly before making a presentation at the House of Commons two weeks later, shots were fired at Mr. Raza's house in Pakistan and his brother was lucky to escape unharmed. Baby Milk Action has independent confirmation of the attack and asked Nestlé to condemn the attack. Nestlé is instead distributing a report claiming the attack did not take place.

The new Pakistan anti-corruption body, The National Accountability Bureau, is investigating Mr. Raza's evidence. Baby Milk Action has asked the Bureau also to investigate Nestlé's report about the shooting.

You could send a message along the following lines to encourage implementation of the draft law to Baby Milk Action's partner organisation: The Network-Association for Rational Use of Medication in Pakistan, 60-A, St: 39, F-10/4, Islamabad, Pakistan. Fax: +92 51 291552:

It has been reported that Pakistan is about to implement into law the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and susbequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly.

This is a welcome step to protect infant health and will help the new administration to fulfil the government's commitments under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 24).

I support the introduction of the law as quickly as possible and hope that it is strictly enforced. I also hope that any monitoring body which is established is independent of the baby food industry.

Hipp promotion in Latvia

Last year Hipp received a shaming award from the UK Food Group for unsafe labelling of infant teas and juices. These are labelled for use from as early as one week of age, yet exclusive breastfeeding is recommended to about six months of age. Use of such products increases the risk of illness and death.

Hipp remains unrepentant and even claims to support exclusive breastfeeding for the first months of life, clearly not understanding the meaning of the word "exclusive". The picture below shows a promotion for Hipp infant formulas, drinks and foods in a Latvian magazine in January 2000. Mothers are invited to go to a store for advice on infant feeding from Hipp's paediatrician. A source in Latvia reports that the paediatrician visited a hospital uninvited with free samples of teas and infant formula to promote the products to health workers.

Suggested points for a letter to the man responsible: Klaus Hipp, General Manager, Hipp K. G., Postfach 1551, 85265 Pfaffenhofen, Germany. (Fax: +43 7612 76577 201):

Hipp is promoting its infant formula and other products through advertisements in parenting magazines in Latvia (for example, Mans Mazais, January 2000) in violation of Article 5.1 of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Hipp is also seeking direct contact with mothers, which violates Article 5.5 of the International Code. It is also reported that Hipp has distributed free samples of infant formula in breach of Article 7.4. Please take immediate action to end these violations.

Nestlé Chief to blame for labelling fiasco in Malawi

Company	Item	Date	Violation Reference
Nestlé	Labels	March 2000	comp/00/06

On the February 2000 action sheet we reported that Nestlé was launching labels onto the market in Malawi despite the fact they did not include all warnings and graphics required by the Malawi Government. Baby Milk Action took this matter up with Nestlé directly, in line with our policy on reporting violations. Usually Nestlé does not respond to our letters, which is why we ask the public to write as well. On this occasion Nestlé's Nophadol Siwabutr did respond, saying: "Mr. Brabeck indicated that, to expedite implementation, Nestlé would move ahead with putting the Chichewa label on the market with all appropriate elements in Chichewa, even before final government approval" (emphasis added). The Malawi Government has confirmed that Nestlé has not included all required warnings and graphics and did not obtain approval before launching the labels.

Suggested points for a letter to the man responsible: Mr. Peter Brabeck, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé, 55, av. Nestlé, 1800 Vevey, Switzerland. Fax: +41 21 922 6334:

Nestlé has recently launched baby milks onto the market in Malawi with labels which do not include all required warnings and graphics. It is reported that you personally ordered the labels to be put onto the market without the approval of the Malawi Government. The Government has again made Nestlé aware of its requirements. Please arrange for these products to be re-labelled in accordance with these requirements as a matter of urgency.

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