| Take
action to stop these violations of the International
Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
The people responsible have names and addresses - call on them to
market their products ethically.
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.
The Campaign for
Ethical Marketing targets violations by all companies. Nestlé
figures more prominently than other companies because it is resposible
for more violations than any other company. This month we feature
three examples of Nestlé violations. See the index
for past action sheets.
Nestlé
dismisses violation report from Botswanan Government
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Company
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Item
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Date
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Violation
Reference
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Nestlé
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Labels and point-of-sale
promotion.
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July
2000
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comp/00/15
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Background:
Last year Nestlé
launched a book of letters entitled Nestlé implementation
of the WHO Code, claiming that 54 governments had officially
verified that it abides by the International
Code. The book rapidly became a public relations disaster
as governments complained that their letters had been misrepresented
- for example the letter from Oman was only thanking Nestlé
for attending a meeting and was in no way an endorsement. Government
letters setting out Nestlé violations were not included
in the book. UNICEF and WHO also criticised Nestlé's
initiative. (See the briefing paper Don't
Judge a Book by its Cover).
Nestlé continues
to seek letters from governments. The Botswanan Ministry of
Health responded with a letter dated 14th June 2000 setting
out violations of its requirements. Nestlé's written
response dismisses the violations on the grounds that the Government
has incorrectly interpreted the marketing requirements adopted
by the World Health Assembly. Nestlé also demanded a
meeting. The government stood firm, telling Nestlé to
make the necessary changes.
Write to: Mr.
Peter Brabeck-Letmathé, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé
S.A. 55, Av. Nestlé. CH-1800 Vevey, Switzerland (Fax: +41
21 921 1885). Suggested letter:
|
It is reported
that Nestlé has received a report from the Botswanan
Government setting out violations of its marketing requirements
for breastmilk substitutes. For example, labels on your
products are not in the required language. This is very
disappointing when you gave a public undertaking that
all labels will be in the correct language by March 2000
in your Code "Action" Report (Edition
3). The government has also complained that labels
include idealising text and promote bottle feeding. The
government has made it clear to Nestlé that it
requires instructions showing cup feeding, which poses
less risk to the health of artificially-fed infants than
bottle feeding. These labels are violating Article
9.2 of the International Code.
According to
the government, its monitoring found point-of-sale promotional
items such as a banner reading "The most trusted
name in infant nutrition." Such materials are banned
by Article 5.3
of the International Code. Mr. Partington of Nestlé
South Africa has reportedly dismissed the government's
complaints in a letter dated 24th July 2000. Please take
immediate action to ensure that the government's requirements
are respected and all violations are stopped.
You have also
claimed that disciplinary action is taken against employees
who deliberately violate the Code. Please indicate what
action you will be taking in this case.
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Nestlé
begs not to be named and shamed in Brazil
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Company
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Item
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Date
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Violation
Reference
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Nestlé
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Monitoring report
to be published by the Government
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August
2000
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comp/00/16
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UPDATE 26 November 2000:
NestlŽ Vice-President,
Niels Christiansen, complained about our article which repeated
reports from Brazilian newspapers that he had lobbied the Brazilian
Government over its forthcoming independent monitoring report.
We acknowledge the complaints about the Jornal
do Brasil articles and Mr. ChristiansenÕs statement: ÒNestlŽ
will welcome the monitoring report by Brazilian government,
whenever it is published. As with any other reports or allegations
received, we will fully investigate the reportÕs findings and
will respond to the Brazilian government as appropriate.Ó
Nestlé
advertising in India
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Company
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Item
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Date
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Violation
Reference
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Nestlé
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Advertising feature
for Cerelac
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August
2000
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comp/00/17
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Background:
The Breastfeeding
Promotion Network of India has launched a publicity campaign
exposing an article in a parenting magazine in India which undermines
breastfeeding and promotes early complementary feeding (see
Press Release 8 September
2000). The article New Born Care appeared in Meri
Saheli a Hindi magazine for women (issue August 2000). Almost
50% of the space in this four-page article is consumed by advertisements
for Nestlé Cerelac. These pages are not numbered
pages and sources in the advertisement section of Meri Saheli
indicate that Nestle bought the space.
BPNI comments:
"Incorrect information like this can undermine the current
prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding which can result in increased
infant morbidity and mortality and also malnutrition."
The article also breaks India's Infant Milk Substiututes
Act.
Write to: Mr.
Peter Brabeck-Letmathé, Chief Executive Officer, Nestlé
S.A. 55, Av. Nestlé. CH-1800 Vevey, Switzerland (Fax: +41
21 921 1885).
Key points for letters:
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It is reported
that Nestlé placed an advertising feature in Meri
Saheli magazine in India (August 2000), promoting
Cerelac complementary foods. The article does not
contain the information required by India's Infant
Milk Substitutes Act (Section 7). The article encourages
introduction of complementary foods at 3 months of age
and an early end to breastfeeding, contradicting the recommendations
of the World Health Assembly, WHO and UNICEF.
Please ensure
that advertising features such as this are not placed
again.
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You
can be a Code Monitor.
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