An Update On

 

INFANT FOOD FORMULA & CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY

Study/Action project adopted by LSM-USA in 1978

 

            When the Swiss-based Nestle Corporation began marketing infant food formula in the Third World countries six years ago, health officials began to see an increase in infant malnutrition as the result of incorrect usage of formula.  The majority of the women using the product were illiterate and did not understand how the formula should be prepared.  When they couldn’t afford to buy the necessary quantities, they extended the formula by giving their babies diluted solution.

 

            At the 1978 National Assembly, LSM-USA voted to join the boycott against Nestle in an effort to force the company to cease infant formula sales in third world countries.

 

            LSM-USA supported the demands of the Infant Formula Action Coalition (INFACT):  to end all promotion of infant formula to health care institutions and professionals; to prohibit the use of milk nurses in hospital maternity wards (women hired by Nestle to encourage new mothers to use the formula instead of breastfeeding their newborns); to stop the distribution of free formula samples to doctors and medical institutions; and to stop all direct consumer promotion.

 

Important developments since August 1979

 

September 1979

            Manhattan, NY  LSM-USA was represented by Ed Gray, student at Columbia University at the first meeting of Nestle boycott endorsers.  A negotiating team was established to monitor Nestle’s compliance with the demands of the boycott.

 

October 1979

            Geneva, Switz.  Joint conference by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF to begin developing an international code of marketing infant formula.  The code set strict standards for advertising and distribution of free samples.  It was to establish rules of enforcement and serve as a model for national legislation.  The International Baby Food Action Network (IFBAN) was formed to improve research and coordination among baby food activists in 25 countries.

 

November 1979

            Washington D.C.  Infant Formula Act of 1979 was introduced in the U.S. Congress by Rep. Albert Gore to establish guidelines for the manufacture of infant formulas.

 

December 1979

            New York City  International Nestle Boycott Committee negotiating team met to organize campaign to bring Nestle to the negotiating table.

            Geneva, Switz.  World Health Organization urged industrialized and Third World countries to encourage breast feeding.

 

January 1980

            Washington D.C.  Nestle officials refused to attend U.S. House Subcommittee on International Economic Policy and Trade because the American company does not manufacture the infant formula.

            South Africa  Nestle baby booklets advertising formula were distributed to mothers in South African hospitals.

 

 

 

February 1980

            Washington D.C.  Nestle Corporation testifies before U.S. House Subcommittee.  After examining the results of the WHO/UNICEF meeting in October, Nestle spokesmen said the company will not change any promotion practices recommended by WHO.

            New York City  100 church and civic leaders marched to protest two leading formula manufacturers:  American Home Products and Bristol-Meyers.

 

March 1980

            Washington D.C.  INFACT sponsored 4th national conference to analyze the boycott, lobby Congress and mobilize new groups.  FDA held public hearing on infant formula.

 

May 1980

            Toronto  INFACT sponsored Mothers’ Day mourning March to draw attention to the Nestle boycott.

 

July 1980

            Los Angeles  University of Southern California researchers called infant formula “junk food” which should be sold by prescription only.  Additives could make babies more susceptible to disease.

 

WHY BOYCOTT?

            Nestle remains intentionally ambiguous as to which, if any, promotional practices will change as a result of the forthcoming international code.  Outside pressure remains essential if the code is to be implemented and enforced.

            Nestle has not met any of the boycott’s four specific demands.  It has suspended mass media advertising, but other forms of direct consumer promotion continue, as do free samples, milk nurses, and intense medical promotion.

            Only sustained pressure can prevent backsliding, which will result in a weak code and more sick babies.  An INFACT spokesperson wrote, “We have come so far and accomplished so much; to stop the boycott at this critical moment would jeopardize the progress we have made to date.”

 

 

The Nestle boycott product list includes:

Deer Park Mountain Spring Water

Pero

 

Rusty Scrupper restaurants

Nestle’s Crunch

Go Ahead Bar

Crosse and Blackwell foods

Toll House Chips

Nescafe

Taster’s Choice coffee

Nestle’s Quik

Nestea

Crosse and Blackwell wine

Hot Cocoa Mix

Decaf

Provalone Lacatelli cheese

Choco’lite

Sunrise

Stouffer’s frozen foods

Choco-bake

Libby’s foods

Pine Hill Crystal Water

$100,000 Candy Bar

Souptime

Beringer Brothers Wine

Price’s Chocolates

Maggi Soups

James Keller & Son, Ltd.

Cain Coffee Co.

 

Los Hermanos wine

Wispride cheese

 

Swiss Knight cheese

Old Fort cheese

 

Cherry Hill cheese

Roger’s cheese

 

L’Oreal Cosmetics

Stouffer’s Inns

 

Nestle Cookie Mixes

Lancome

 

Contique by Alcon

Kavil Crispbread

 

Ionax by Owen Labs

McVites

 

Beechnut baby foods

 

 

Manhattan Coffee Co.