Dear Lactnetters, All my comments are in italics. Given the recent discussion about the WHO code, I thought you might want to read what Nestle has to say on the issue at their own web site. If you want to see for yourself, it is at: http://www.nestle.com/html/a2b.html Keep in mind: If you want to defeat your enemy, you have to understand them. Here is the web site text in it's entirety. <<<<<<<<<<<<SNIP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What was the controversy on infant formula about? Answer:>A boycott was launched in 1977 against Nestle and our products by activists in the United States who were concerned at the marketing practices of infant formula by the industry in the Developing World. This lead to the adoption in 1981 by the World Health Assembly of the World Health Organization of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. This stated that there was a 'legitimate market' for infant formula. The aim of the Code is to ensure safe and adequate nutrition, not only through the protection and promotion of breast feeding, but also by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes 'when these are necessary' and through 'appropriate marketing'. The Code says that, in the developing world, breast-milk substitutes should not be promoted directly to the consumer, but through the medical profession. Nestle immediately announced its support for the principles and aim of the Code, and a year later set up the independent Nestle Infant Formula Audit Commission, chaired by former US Senator and Secretary of State Edmund Muskie. The boycott was lifted in 1984, and in 1991, the commission reached the conclusion that its mandate - to advise the company on its implementation of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes - had been achieved, and it was formally dissolved. Nestle infant formula marketing policies have been persistently mis-represented by groups and individuals, and have led to attempts in several countries to re-launch boycott action. We would like to set the record straight. Below is our policy for marketing infant formula as it applies in developing countries.(1) Nestle: DOES encourage and support exclusive breast-feeding as the best choice for babies during the first months of life DOES warn mothers of the consequences of incorrect or inappropriate use of infant formula DOES believe that there is a legitimate market for infant formula when a safe alternative to breast milk is needed DOES believe that parents have the right to choose how their babies are to be fed on the basis of adequate and objective information DOES comply with both the letter and the spirit of the World Health Organization's International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes DOES support efforts by governments to implement the International Code through legislation, regulation or other appropriate measures DOES encourage sustained breast-feeding after the introduction of complementary foods DOES NOT advertise infant formula to the public in developing countries DOES NOT permit its staff to make direct contact with mothers except in response to consumer complaints DOES NOT give incentives to its staff based on infant formula sales DOES NOT use pictures of babies on its infant formula packs DOES NOT distribute free infant formula samples to mothers DOES NOT give financial or material incentives to health care professionals for the purpose of promoting infant formula DOES NOT allow educational material relating to the use of infant formula to be displayed publicly in hospitals and clinics DOES NOT donate free infant formula for use by healthy newborn babies except in exceptional social cases (e.g. where government policy allows manufacturers to respond to a specific medical request, such as if the mother dies in childbirth) WILL take disciplinary measures against any Nestle personnel or distributor who deliberately violates this policy. (1) All countries of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean nations, and the Pacific nations except Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong (until July 1 1997). In developed countries, Nestle respects National Codes, regulations and/or other applicable legislation relating to the marketing of infant formula. Nestle invites government officials, health professionals and consumers to draw to its attention any Nestle infant formula marketing practices in developing countries which they consider are not in conformity with the above commitment. <<<<<<<<<SNIP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Please don't kill the messenger, I am only showing you what they are saying and how they are distorting the intent of the code. I could not find an email address for them, their web site at http://www.nestle.com/html/q.html is set up for comments. Keep in mind that you may not want them to have your email address!!!!! Some other tidbits from their web site: Who owns Nestle? Answer:>About 200,000 shareholders -- mostly individuals rather than institutions -- are the owners of Nestle. About half of the shareholders are Swiss and the next largest group is U.S. citizens, followed by shareholders from Great Britain and France. What country is Nestle's largest individual market? Answer:>With sales of $7.5 billion US dollars in 1995, a total staff of 20,000 and 64 factories, the United States is Nestle's most important market. How much food does Nestle produce overall? Answer:>Anywhere between 10 and 11 million tons of food and beverages each year. Has Nestle ever voluntarily withdrawn from a country? Answer:>No. Some Nestle operations have been nationalized in the wake of wars or communist takeovers. In a very few countries, national legislation was amended in such a way that the local Nestle operation could not maintain its production facilities without incurring large losses. In those cases, factories were either sold or closed and Nestle limited its activity to marketing imported products. How much profit does Nestle make per year? Answer:>In 1996, net profit was CHF 3.4 billion (US$ 2.29 billion) and CHF 2.9 billion (US$ 1.954 billion) in 1995. (US $ figures are based on PRESENT exchange rates as of today, and were added by me) And where does it go? Answer:>CHF 1.045 billion (704 MILLION) (slightly over 34 percent) was paid out in dividends to our 200,000 shareholders; the rest was reinvested in the Company. Jon Ahrendsen MD FAAFP Clarion, IOWA