Why was a Nestlé boycott launched? (2024)

Why was a Nestlé boycott launched?

In the 1970s, declining rates of breastfeeding led a number of organisations to raise concerns about the marketing practices of breast milk substitute manufacturers - including Nestlé - in developing countries.

This resulted in the Infant Formula Action Coalition launching a boycott of our products in 1977 in the United States. This boycott was dropped in 1984.

Why was the US boycott dropped?

In 1981 the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted a set of recommendations for member states to regulate the marketing of breast milk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats. This is known as the ‘WHO Code’. Read more about the Code.

Many developing countries didn’t fully implement the Code. So, in 1982, we became the first manufacturer to introduce our own policy, drawn from the WHO Code, to regulate how we marketed breast milk substitutes in developing countries. We refined this policy in 1984, after consultations with stakeholders including the WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and civil society organisations.

As a result of this, the US boycott against us was dropped.

We strive to continuously improve our practices and we have revised and reinforced our policy (pdf, 5Mb) a number of times since its adoption, based on practical experience and developments in WHO recommendations.

Are there still boycott activities today?

Yes. In 1988, a group of organisations in the United Kingdom launched a new boycott against us, which is on-going, despite the fact that we follow the WHO Code as implemented by national governments everywhere in the world.

As a result of our inclusion in the responsible investment indexFTSE4Good in 2011, the United Reformed Churches ended their support for the boycott. A number of other significant stakeholders had already ended their support for it, including the General Synod of the Church of England, the Royal College of Midwives, and the Methodist Ethical Investment Committee. Read more about FTSE4Good.

What do I do if I want to raise a concern?

If you have any concerns about our breast milk substitutes marketing practices, we encourage you to raise them with us so that we can continue to improve.

Find out more

Raising a concern

It is our strong commitment to market our infant food products in accordance with the principles and aim of the WHO Code.To find out more about how you can raise a concern, visit this page.

Why was a Nestlé boycott launched? (2024)

FAQs

Why was a Nestlé boycott launched? ›

In the 1970s, declining rates of breastfeeding led a number of organisations to raise concerns about the marketing practices of breast milk substitute manufacturers - including Nestlé

Nestlé
Cerelac instant cereals include a range of nutritious, easily-digested instant cereals. Suitable as a complementary food for infants from six months onwards, when breast milk alone no longer meets the baby's growing nutritional requirements. It is not a breast milk substitute.
https://www.nestle.com › brands › baby-foods › cerelac
- in developing countries.

Why did Nestlé get boycotted? ›

The boycott expanded into Europe in the early 1980s and was prompted by concerns about Nestlé's aggressive marketing of infant formulas (i.e., substitutes for breast milk), particularly in underdeveloped countries.

Why are people protesting Nestlé? ›

Nestlé has a reputation of exploiting freshwater resources to turn profit in its plastic bottling operations. The company has been criticized for pumping millions of gallons of water from a California forest during the 2011–2017 drought.

What is the Nestlé scandal? ›

A new investigation found that one portion of Nestlé cereal for six-months-old babies contained around a cube and a half of sugar per serving. - Copyright AP. Copyright AP. By Aylin Elci & Euronews. Published on 19/04/2024 - 10:26•Updated 12:07.

What companies are boycotting Nestlé? ›

Wholefood businesses:
  • AARDVARK WHOLEFOODS (Carmarthen)
  • ABUNDANCE NATURAL FOODS (Kilburn)
  • ADDYMAN BOOKS (Hay-on-Wye)
  • AHIMSA (Malvern)
  • ALARA WHOLEFOODS (London)
  • ANGEL FOOD (Tiverton)
  • AQUARIAN BASICS (Nottingham)
  • AQUARIUS (London)

What was the effect of the Nestlé boycott? ›

The original boycott in the 1970s led directly to the introduction of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes by the World Health Assembly in 1981. That should have led to an end to the problem, particularly after Nestlé promised to abide by the Code in 1984 and the boycott was suspended.

When did the Nestlé scandal happen? ›

In 1974, a report entitled The Baby Killer accused Nestlé for causing illness and infant deaths in poor communities in third world countries by promoting their infant formula products at the expense of breastfeeding. The report sparked an outrage that led to an international boycott in 1977, which continues today.

Why are people avoiding Nestlé? ›

Whether they know about Nestle's issues with child labor or their unethical water bottling practices, Nestle has a reputation, and it's not a good one. Because of these issues, tens of thousands throughout the years have agreed to a complete boycott on all Nestle products.

Why is Nestlé dropping? ›

Nestle, the world's biggest food seller, and its French rival Danone have both reported drops in their sales over 2023, caused by cost conscious customers balking at higher prices.

Has anyone protested against Nestlé? ›

Cease and desist – Protesters demand Nestlé Waters end its water bottling operations in Aberfoyle. Local labour groups and environmental organizations were on hand in support of the Nestlé protest. “Canada is home to 60 per cent of the world's lakes and one-fifth of the world's fresh water.

What is the biggest scandal about Nestlé? ›

1. The Baby Formula Scandal. Baby formula is one of the biggest and most controversial of all Nestlé products. Since the company's conception in 1867, Nestlé has convinced people its baby formula is better for infants than breast milk — a claim that is categorically false.

What is the dark history of Nestlé? ›

Nestlé sells a wide range of chocolate goods made with cocoa obtained through forced and trafficked child labour. During the 2000s, the company, along with several other chocolate companies, was accused of using child labour to produce cocoa for their chocolates.

Has Nestlé ever apologized? ›

iodine in one of its milk-power brands.

Is Nestlé owned by Coca Cola? ›

Nestle's portfolio includes many well known and top brands but Coca-Cola is not one of their brands.

How long did the Nestlé boycott last? ›

International groups boycott Nestle products to end indiscriminate advertising, 1977-1984.

Why is Nutella on the boycott list? ›

“We have to replant a lot of trees because there is massive deforestation that also leads to global warming. We should stop eating Nutella, for example, because it's made with palm oil,” French Ecology Minister Ségolène Royal told television channel Canal+ on Monday.

Why are people avoiding Nestlé products? ›

Whether they know about Nestle's issues with child labor or their unethical water bottling practices, Nestle has a reputation, and it's not a good one. Because of these issues, tens of thousands throughout the years have agreed to a complete boycott on all Nestle products.

What has Nestlé been sued for? ›

The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in federal court in California against Nestle and Cargill, alleging that the companies had aided and abetted human-rights abuses because they had purchased cocoa beans from the plantations even though the companies knew that the plantations used child slavery.

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