Nestlé

What do you think of when you hear the name Nestlé? Do you think of the chocolate drink Nesquik or maybe it’s the chocolate bar KitKat. The Nestlé brand extends a lot farther than sweet drinks and candy bars. This company plays a key role in every category, sponsoring  products such as Purina, Friskies, Beneful, Coffee mate, Delissio, Stouffers, L’Oreal, Gerber and many other big brand names.

Nestlé’s used their status and means to provide formula samples to low and middle income families in impoverished countries. Most of these women were not English speaking and didn’t not understand the label instructions to have clean water and sterile bottles. Nestlé saw this problem and remained silent, allowing millions of babies to become malnourished or die. They quantity of free samples would be just enough to stop the mothers natural supply of milk if used consistently. Thus leaving the mother no choice but to rely on formula. With lack of knowledge and clean water many mothers were left with little to no option.

Nestlé’s aggressive marketing of infant formula in low and middle-income countries has been linked to a significant number of infant deaths. According to research, Nestlé’s marketing practices may have contributed to around 10.9 million infant deaths between 1960 and 2015, with peaks of 212,000 deaths annually in the early 1980s. The main causes of death were waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea, due to the mixing of formula with contaminated water.

Nestlé’s marketing strategies included free samples to new mothers, which often led to a dependence on formula and a decline in breastfeeding. Nestlé went even further claiming that formula was superior to breast milk, despite knowing the risks associated with formula feeding in areas without clean water. The consequences of Nestlé’s actions were severe, including a 27% increase in infant mortality rates among households without access to clean water. Formula feeding led to malnutrition in infants, particularly in areas where families could not afford adequate resources.  Breast milk replacement  has been linked to various long-term health problems, including allergies, respiratory infections, and developmental issues.

Nestlé’s practices have been widely criticized by health experts, advocacy groups, and governments. The company has faced numerous lawsuits, boycotts, and public relations crises over the years.  In response to the controversy, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, which aims to regulate the marketing of breast milk substitutes and promote breastfeeding.

Overall, Nestlé’s prioritization of profits over people’s health and well-being has had devastating consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. Their actions and disregard to children’s health is appalling and should never have been allowed to happen. How many of Nestlé’s other products are dangerous and unhealthy? Will we know before the death toll rises to outstanding numbers? Most people don’t know about this occurrence. How many other brand name companies are benefiting and getting rich from misinformation and false marketing schemes. I fear the numbers will reach astronomical levels.