read the latest newscodewatch: meet the code-breakersread the latest Boycott news, and join the Nestlé boycottjoin Baby Milk Actionvisit the Resource Centresearch our growing databaselinks to breastfeeding resourcescontact Baby Milk Action

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.


Nestlé's PR booklet exposed
No.2: violations in Brazil

Company
Item
Date
Violation Reference
Nestlé
Various violations in Brazil
March 1998
comp/98/25

Nestlé:
Complying with the
WHO Code.

...or
perhaps
not...

In its new PR booklet shown above Nestlé quotes a Faculty of Paediatrics in Brazil in an attempt to bolster its image. Nestlé has been attempting to build a close relationship with paediatricians in Brazil for many years. For example, in 1993 it distributed free tickets for its "scientific" conference on a cruise liner. Photos from the promotional brochure are shown above.

Nestlé has been sending the glossy PR booklet entitled Nestlé: Complying with the WHO Code, shown above, to people questioning its marketing activities. In the booklet Nestlé pictures the flags of 17 countries and implies that each country endorses Nestlé's marketing activities. However, closer inspection reveals that the statements alongside each flag come from one individual or organisation within the country. Our monitoring demonstrates that these statements do not bear close scrutiny as we will demonstrate from time-to-time on these sheets.

This month's example comes from Brazil. Nestlé's booklet quotes the Faculty of Paediatrics and Child Care at the ABC Faculty of Medicine as follows:

"We would like to express our thanks for Nestlé's always ethical conduct in our milieu, participating of activities promoted by universities and scientific societies, maintaining a flawless conduct, including profound respect for the Brazilian Norm for the Commercialisation of Food for Infants... several were the opportunities I had to ascertain how much Nestlé had contributed, always in a very ethical form, to the development of paediatrics in our country and for a healthier life for our children."

Brazil is recognised as a country with most of the provisions of the International Code implemented in law, and this has had an effect on the marketing practices of baby food manufacturers and distributors. However, Nestlé violations of the International Code do still occur in Brazil. Our 1998 monitoring report, Breaking the Rules, Stretching the Rules, 1998, reveals that in Brazil Nestlé:

  • gave gifts to health workers.
  • distributed free samples of infant formula to health professionals which were not used for professional evaluation or research.
  • distributed free samples of infant formula to mothers.
  • provided product information to health professionals which was not limited to scientific and factual matters.
  • promoted infant formula at the point of sale.

Ask Nestlé:

  • to stop violating the International Code and Resolutions in Brazil.
  • to declare any financial or other support it has given to the ABC Faculty of Medicine (In 1994 the British Paediatric Association recorded an anonymous donation of £140,000 in its accounts. Members protested when Nestlé was exposed as the donor).
  • to withdraw its misleading booklet Nestlé: Complying with the WHO Code.

Violation
Complain to
All the activities described are violations of the International Code Mr. Peter Brabeck,
CEO Nestlé,
55, av. Nestlé,
1800 Vevey,
Switzerland.
Fax: 41 21 922 6334


IBFAN's long memory catches out Kruger

Company
Item
Date
Violation Reference
Kruger
Impress tea composition and labels.
August 1998
comp/98/26

In our monitoring report Breaking the Rules 1988-1989 we highlighted the labels of Kruger infant teas with the brand name Impress. The label shown below was found in Nigeria. It promotes the tea for use "from the first day of birth." This brings it within the scope of the International Code as it will be substituting for breastmilk if used so early in a child's life. The label violates Article 9.2 of the International Code as it has a picture of a baby, no warnings about incorrect use and no information about breastfeeding. The label also promotes bottle feeding by picturing a feeding bottle. Kruger responded to the report by promising to change its labels.

On 18th August 1998 the same label was found on products sold in Oman. As well as breaking its undertaking and the International Code, Kruger is now also violating World Health Assembly Resolution WHA47.5 adopted in 1994 which calls for complementary feeding to be fostered from about 6 months of age. The product also raises health concerns for any age group as it is 96% sugar!

Write to Kruger and ask it to explain why it is marketing a drink which is 96% sugar for infant feeding. Ask it to comply with World Health Assembly Resolution WHA47.5 by labelling its teas for use from about 6 months.


Violation
Complain to
Labels do not comply with Article 9.2 or ResolutionWHA47.5
The Chief Executive
Kruger GmbH&Co KG
0-51469
Bergisch Gladhach
Germany


Numico in Palestine

Company
Item
Date
Violation Reference
Numico
Conference Invitation
August 1998
comp/98/26

Numico, the giant conglomerate formed following Nutricia's takeover of Milupa and Cow&Gate, is known in the UK for offering midwives the chance of VIP trips if they sign up to receive infant feeding information from Cow&Gate. It is now attempting to make the Cow&Gate name known in Palestine through a series of "conferences". One took place in a restaurant in Naplouse. The invitation promised that speakers would be "followed by a dinner and presents to the participants."

In 1996 the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA49.15 calling for care that sponsorship of health professionals does not create conflicts of interest.

Ask Numico if its products are referred to at these "conferences" and to describe the gifts it gives to participants. Ask it if it expects sales of its baby foods in the region to increase in the coming years.

Violation
Complain to
Such offers of meals and gifts to health professionals may create a conflict of interest as covered by Resolution WHA49.15 and are inducements to promote Cow&Gate products, covered by Article 7.3. Mr. Peter Brabeck,
CEO Nestlé,
55, av. Nestlé,
1800 Vevey,
Switzerland.
Fax: 41 21 922 6334


You can be a Code Monitor.

 

press index
top