Graduating with Honours

After years of refusing to debate with Baby Milk Action Nestlé has been urging university unions all over the country to ‘open dialogue’ with the company over the past few months.

We had hoped that this new approach by Nestlé might indicate a change in policy. Unfortunately it has proved to be merely a new PR tack. At the first debate, Nestlé rejected our plan to save infant lives and ultimately end the boycott (see Boycott News 29).

Nestlé is clearly worried about its recruitment of quality graduates, as evidenced by an interview with Peter Blackburn, Nestlé UK’s CEO (Guardian 21 April).

At the debates Nestlé attempts to suggest that its malpractice is a thing of the past, though it falls silent when asked if it accepts the devasting impact this has had on infants and breastfeeding cultures. Nestlé also neglects to mention its opposition to the introduction of the marketing code and responds to documentary evidence of present-day violations with denials and claims that the Code and Resolutions don’t apply in circumstances of its own choosing.

We have had many comments from students who have attended the debates, saying how Nestlé just didn’t have a defence. This response from a student at Liverpool sums up what many have been saying:

“As debates go it was quite poor as the Nestlé reps presented such a poor case, or more likely they just didn't have one. However what they did attempt to say came across poorly. When questions came from the floor, regarding points made by Baby Milk Action reps, asking what Nestlé's response was they often refused to answer directly, making a point about something only slightly (or not at all) relevant which they hoped to present positively. Towards the end of the discussion they resorted to interrupting your speakers!”

Shanghai’d by Nestlé

Nestlé’s latest PR approach to tackling its malpractice has included a range of glossy new brochures which contain its same tired denials and deceit. Infant Feeding in the Developing World proudly shows off Nestlé’s efforts to promote breastfeeding in China (complete with Nestlé logo and unhappy-looking mothers). At the same time Nestlé promotion for its infant and follow-on formulas are made freely available to mothers.

The leaflet pictured here promotes Nan 1 & Nan 2 with idealising pictures and text: "Nan - Healthy Baby - Excel One Level Up In Future". The leaflet does state that "Breastmilk is Infant's Best Food" but its goes on to state how too much phosphorus as found in cow's milk and "ordinary formula" can cause problems. While "Nestlé Nan 1 - [is] the only formula low in phosphorus so that you can be far away from the annoyance of feeding problems." It claims Nan uses a "unique technique to remove excess phosphorus in cow's milk, so that the phosporus level is close to breastmilk.”

These promotional materials were made available to mothers in health clinics in Shanghai and are clear violations, not only of the International Code and Resolutions, but also of Nestle’s own inadequate internal policies.

Red Cross / Nestlé link ends

  We are delighted that the Nestlé sponsorship of the British Red Cross (BRC) has come to an end. At our meeting with the BRC (reported Boycott News 29) we discussed ways in which we could work together in the future if the sponsorship was to stop.

£30m for a crick in the neck!

To boost its flagging sales Nescafé has had a makeover - a £30m makeover!

To get a kink in a jar cost Nestlé an estimated £20m on design and another £10m promoting it. The Sunday Times (Oct 14) commented:

“This dedication to wasting money does give the firm a place alongside Pepsi turning blue and British Airways painting its tail fins. It is fortunate for Nescafé that the world is not about to slip into a recession and that we are not on the brink of a war - otherwise, the expense might have appeared foolish.”

Setting the standard

Social commitment and Nestlé might be regarded as a joke by many people, but Nestlé regards itself in a very different light. More than its own social commitment, Nestlé sees itself as being in a position to congratulate others for their philanthropic gestures. The Nestlé social commitment awards are up for grabs again this year, and companies and organisations who want to show off their commitment to charitable causes are invited to apply. Last year’s recipient was Tesco’s marketing strategy ‘Computers for Schools.’ IBFAN won’t apply for the award.

Work Ethics

Applying for a job with Nestlé might be the last thing on many people’s minds, but some residents recently applied for posts at a new Nestlé Café opening up in Bristol. When asked by managers in the interview if they had any questions, the ‘applicants’ replied ‘quite a few in fact about Nestlé’s marketing practices of baby milk.’ The Indymedia website reported that the interviews ‘went a bit wrong.’

• If you work for Nestlé, or know someone who does, why not contact us for a ‘Face the Fax’ information sheet with questions to ask Nestlé management.

World-wide

Greenpeace supporters have protested about Nestlé’s use of GM ingredients in its baby foods in Thailand, Italy and in Hong Kong where two peaceful protesters were arrested (see the Greenpeace China website).

In Sri Lanka more than 300 organisations are campaigning against Nestlé’s aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes and its impact on the indigenous dairy industry. This has virtually been destroyed since the liberalisation of the market, enabling Nestlé and other importers to greatly increase the price of the milk it sells. Nestlé’s Special Policy Advisor, Beverly Mirando, is from Sri Lanka and tells people that Nestlé’s practices are simply not a cause for concern in her home country.

A Sri Lankan campaigner commented:

“The situation here is indeed critical as far as milk is concerned. It is definitely wrong to say that nobody in Sri Lanka is bothered about Nestlé's activities - I forward a report of a recent activity that I was part of [report of a demonstration by over 350 mothers] .. these activities are in the midst of the war situation and the political instability that is going on. With all these problems, will we bother to campaign against milk powder multinationals unless it's critical?"

For further details see the 'Your Questions Answered' section.

Woodcraft folk

Woodcraft Folk, the alternative scout movement, has been a long time supporter of the Nestlé boycott. At its international camp this year, supporters put boycott stickers on a Kit-Kat machine on the Scout’s site that they were using. A Guardian article (11th August) featured the vending machine and the young people’s concerns about Nestlé and other corporations. Following this Nestlé asked to meet the Woodcraft Folk. Baby Milk Action agreed to attend in an advisory capacity on condition the meeting was taped.

If Nestlé contacts you for a meeting, let us know. Experience shows there is little point talking with Nestlé as it refuses to accept WHO policy on the marketing of breastmilk susbtitutes and generally refuses to make changes to its marketing practices (see Nestlé rejects four-point plan in Boycott News 29). However, if you decide to meet with Nestlé we can provide up-to-date information on what Nestlé is really doing, put you in contact with our partners in developing countries who see Nestlé malpractice first-hand and we may be able to attend a meeting with you.

Royle KitKat boycott