Nestle denies those allegations… sort of.
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IBFAN claims that Nestle distributes free formula samples to hospitals and maternity wards after leaving the hospital, the formula is no longer free, but because the supplementation has interfered with lactation, the family must continue to buy the formula. Rachael Romero, San Francisco Poster BrigadeĬourtesy Inkworks Press Archive, Berkeley, CA According to the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), Nestle used unethical methods to promote their infant formula to poor mothers in developing countries. Another problem was that mothers tended to use less formula than needed – to make the jar last longer, resulting in many infants receiving inadequate amounts.īut even if the water was boiled, and even if the formula was administered in the right proportion and in the right quantity, it is lacking in many of the nutrients and antibodies that breast milk provides. Breast milk contains the required amount of the nutrients essential for neuronal (brain and nerve) development, and to some extent, protects the baby from many diseases and potential infections. UNICEF estimates that a formula-fed child living in disease-ridden and unhygienic conditions is between 6 and 25 times more likely to die of diarrhea and four times more likely to die of pneumonia than a breastfed child. Many mothers were able to read in their native language but were still unable to read the language in which sterilization directions were written. Even if mothers understood the need to boil the water, they might not have had the facilities to do so. “Breastfeeding is unparalleled in providing the ideal food for infants.The optimal way to feed a baby is exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months followed by breastfeeding combined with complementary foods until the child is two years old…” – a 2007 Save the Children report. But the tiny stomach did notice the difference. Baby formula was “the nearest thing in the world”, and this “splendid triumph of care and science” is “so like mother’s milk that the tiny stomach won’t notice the difference”.
Breastfeeding, one of the most important aspects for an infant, especially in unsanitized areas, was cast aside. Nestle seems to have knowingly ignored this and encouraged mothers to use the formula even when they knew the risks. But due to low literacy rates, many mothers were not aware of this, so they mixed the formula with polluted water which put the children at great risks. Most of the groups they were targeting – especially in Africa – didn’t have access to clean water (many don’t to this day), so it was necessary for them to boil the water. The first problem was the need for water sanitation. This is one of the first Nestle formula ads, from 1911. Looking at only these stats, it would seem that Nestle is one of the “good guys”… but then why are they so hated? Let’s take it step by step. They’re also considered to be one of the best employers in Europe with six LEED certifications and sponsor numerous activities and sustainable projects. They truly are what you would call a giant. They have 447 factories across 194 countries and employ around 333,000 people. Twenty-nine of their brands have sales of over $1 billion a year and have over 8,000 brands. According to Wikipedia, their products include baby food, bottled water, breakfast cereals, coffee and tea, confectionery, dairy products, ice cream, frozen food, pet foods, and snacks. Nestle is a Swiss multinational food and beverage company. But we also write about environmental issues, especially when they affect many of us, and especially when we can make a difference. Which brings me to the next point: why are we writing this article? ZME Science is a science website (crazy, right?), and this is not strictly science, at least not in the way our regular articles are. But sometimes there is a reason, or as in this case, several solid reasons, as we’ll see below. Companies (big companies included) are the very backbone of our economy, and they often get a bad rep for little or no reason.
I especially dislike it when the latter happens. People love to hate, and they really love to hate on big companies – whether or not they have a reason to. Introduction Just some of Nestle’s more well-known brands. 10 Promoting Unhealthy Food and Mislabeling.
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