Kathy Parkes Dupuis first raised this issue on May 6, 1997.  Here is the
initial post:

Wed. April 30th I spoke with an Overwaitea rep. and her boss, Ron Ballard,
was out of town 'for a week'.  She was to order 5000 formula gift baskets
made up that day but decided to delay until the boss came back because of
the internet petition from Ruth Johnson and my own phone call.  She felt
Carnation had not been upfront (surprise!) and that Overwaitea had no idea
that they would be in violation of The World Health Organization's  Code of
Advertising Breastmilk Substitutes. NOTE: Her boss may know and not
care,however!

It is a one-year contract Overwaitea/Carnation is to sign and includes not
only a gift basket which includes formula for all new mothers in the
community but also a mailing (coupons etc.) to mothers at babies' ages 3, 6,
9 mos. and 1 year.

I feel Carnation/Nestle are using B.C./Alberta as a test case and if this is
successful YOU WILL SEE THIS IN YOUR TOWN!

I found an internet address from an advertisement Overwaitea made for a
VicePres. in an issue of the Globe and Mail :  [log in to unmask] for
those who are adventuresome!

There is a toll-free # - 1-800-242-9229 and an address:
Ron Ballard
c/o Overwaitea/Save-On Foods
Box 7200
Vancouver, B.C.
V6B 4E4

They need to hear that handing out formula impacts breastfeeding in a
negative way and undermines efforts on behalf of volunteers like ourselves.
 Thank you!

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Unfortunately, things have gone from bad to worse since that post:

Mr. Ron Ballard of Overwaitea Foods advised me on May 8, that after due
consideration, the company has elected to go ahead with the distribution of
gift packs containing Carnation formula.  The gift pack will also contain
coupons for the same product.

Additionally, there will be Heinz baby food samples, a body wash, soap,
diapers, bum wipes, a photo album and so forth.

The company has decided to add a letter in the gift pack noting that
breastfeeding is better and also noting that it remains a woman's choice as
to how they feed their children.  They have also added a sample of breast
pads.

Mr. Ballard is aware of the WHO Code thanks to the work of a number of
individuals.

I can only hope that we don't see more of this type of activity in the future.
Shirley Gross



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M. Shirley Gross M.D.,C.M., C.C.F.P.
Director, Edmonton Breastfeeding Clinic
Assistant Clinical Professor
Depts. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and of Family Medicine
University of Alberta, Canada
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