Home

Nestle boycott

Leafleting guidelines

Next leafleting opportunity: Nestlé's satellite symposium at the International Congress of Paediatrics in Melbourne, Australia, 27 August. Venue: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Time: 17:00 for 17:30 event start.
Click here for Nestlé announcement.

Baby Milk Action can provide colourful, concise information leaflets for anyone interested in leafleting to raise awareness of Nestlé's baby food marketing malpractice. Contact us to receive some or use the links below to download pdf files to print your own.

Leafleting on public property is allowed in the UK. However, if you are assembling a number of people to make a demonstration then it is wise to inform the police of what you are doing. The police will only be concerned that you remain orderly and do not cause an obstruction.

Leafleting on private property is at the discretion of the property owner. Shopping centres and car parks may be private property. It is good manners to approach a member of staff and ask them what the company policy is and where the boundary of the private land is. If the policy is not to allow leafleting you will be asked to leave the property in any case. If you are told you cannot leaflet then take up positions by the entrances and exits to the land on the public side of the boundary. Be sure that you do not prevent the free flow of people and do not obstruct drivers from seeing the road.

Be polite when leafleting. Do not force leaflets on members of the public, invite people to take a leaflet and do not get upset if they refuse.

Make sure you understand the background to the boycott in case you are asked further questions. See the Nestlé-Free Zone page for the latest information. Baby Milk Action's address and phone number is on our materials so you could suggest people contact us if you cannot answer their questions.

If you have further questions about leafleting or demonstrations please e-mail Baby Milk Action and ask. And if you do go leafleting, please let us know how it goes.

Here are some leaflets that can be dowloaded from the site:

Fight the Nestlé monster

Why boycott Nestlé Fairtrade KitKat?

Nestlé Pure Life bottled water (linked to London Marathon sponsorship)

Boycott supporters gallery

You can find images, banners advertisements and widgets from Baby Milk Action for promoting the Nestlé boycott in our Nestlé-Free Zone and in our online Virtual Shop (where there are other resources for promoting the boycott).

Feel free to send us your own images and resources or add them to these page as comments (you will need to register with the site to do so).

Thanks to those who provided the following for International Nestlé-Free Week (which includes Halloween).

Nestle-Free Zone candy wrappers

Nestlé-Free Zone candy wrappers

From the Boo Nestlé site, which says: "We are grateful to Lisa Komer of Munchkin Designs who created these Nestle-free Zone candy wrappers for us. Simply print out this page on regular or sticky-backed paper, cut them out and tape onto any candy or snack bar. They are perfectly sized for the mini-sized bars that many brand offer but will also work on most trick-or-treat items. We suggest you put these over the regular wrapper so parents (and kids) know what's inside. (Also, it should go without saying but just in case... don't put them on Nestle-brand products because it kind of defeats the purpose.)"

Visit Boo Nestlé to download.

 

 

 

 

 

I boycott Nestlé - ask me why badge

Boycott badge

Download this image donated by Robyn Bowman to make a badge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nestlé vulture

Nestle vultureThis Nestlé vulture logo is available to download for printing as stickers - click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nasty NestleThis alternative version has been provided by Kitty Simmons - click here.

Baby Milk Action iPhone application support

Product detector simulatorMany thanks to supporter Nigel Harrison for developing an iPhone application to support the campaign.
Please contact us if you have any problems with it or suggestions for additions to the boycott list.

Baby Milk Action iPhone application

Product detector simulatorMany thanks to supporter Nigel Harrison for developing an iPhone application as a fun way to promote the Nestlé boycott campaign.

This is available in the Apple store - click here.

We will shortly be posting a clip of the Nestlé product detector simulator in operation. 

A boycott ringtone/text alert is also available for mobile phones - click here.

 

Baby Milk Action's fun product detector simulator - for entertainment purposes only. 

This does not really detect products - you control its operation - and is intended as a fun way to break the ice to explain Baby Milk Action's boycott campaign. It displays a product detector dial and emits a warning note that becomes more insistent as you subtly vary the angle of your phone, flashing a 'product detected' warning when the phone is horizontal. Simply activate the application and move the phone towards a product which is on our boycott list, changing the angle of the phone as you do so. When the alarm sounds you can show the warning and explain why you are supporting Baby Milk Action's boycott campaign. With a little practice, no-one will guess that you are controlling the signal!! The application includes an updated list of UK products that you can consult in advance and a suggested text for explaining the campaign. It also Product listlinks to the Baby Milk Action site, where you will find loads of information, other tools for promoting the campaign and product lists for some other countries.

 

 

Nestle boycott resolution (draft)

This is a sample resolution for supporting the Nestlé boycott and the work of Baby Milk Action.

If your organisation endorsers the boycott, please let us know to be added to the Boycott Endorsers List.

(Updated: 12 October 2011) 

This Union / Cooperative / Association, etc. notes:

  1. that Nestlé currently violates the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly by promoting bottle feeding and undermining breastfeeding; 
  2. that Nestlé controls the largest share of the world baby milk market, that independent monitoring finds that it is responsible for ongoing, systematic violations of the International Code and Resolutions, and that it refuses to stop the vast majority of violations reported to it; 
  3. that Nestlé violations include promotion through health care systems, direct targeting of mothers and pregnant women and advertising and labelling with idealising health and nutrition claims; 
  4. that Nestlé refuses to warn that powdered infant formula is not sterile or to bring instructions into line with World Health Organisation Guidelines for the safe preparation, storage and handling of powdered infant formula to reduce the risks from possible contamination with harmful bacteria;
  5. that artificially-fed babies are more likely to become sick than breastfed babies and, in conditions of poverty, more like to die;
  6. that WHO has stated, "infants who are not breastfed in the first month of life may be as much as 25 times more likely to die than infants who are exclusively breastfed" and UNICEF has stated, "Improved breastfeeding practices and reduction of artificial feeding could save an estimated 1.5 million children a year."
  7.  that in the context of HIV the risk of a mother passing the virus to her child should be assessed relative to the risk of replacement feeding and that the World Health Assembly Resolution 54.2 states that where replacement feeding is not sutiable: "exclusive breastfeeding is recommended during the first months of life; and that those who choose other options should be encouraged to use them free from commercial influences."; 
  8. that Baby Milk Action is the UK member of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) consisting of over 200 citizens' groups in more than 100 countries and that IBFAN conducts independent monitoring of the baby food industry; 
  9. that a Campaign Against Nestlé, including a Boycott of Nescafé in particular, was re-launched in the UK by Baby Milk Action on 15 March 1989 (having been first launched in 1977 and then suspended in 1984). 
  10. that in March 2001 Nestlé rejected Baby Milk Action's four-point plan aimed at saving infant lives and ultimately ending the boycott and has repeatedly rejected it in the years since then. The four-point plan states: 
    1. Nestlé must accept in writing that the International Code and the subsequent, relevant Resolutions are minimum requirements for every country.
    2. Nestlé must acknowledge in writing that it needs to change its policy and practice to bring them into line with the International Code and Resolutions in every country (i.e. explicitely drop its strategy of denial and deception).
    3. Once Nestlé has made its commitment to change clear, Baby Milk Action will take the statements to the International Nestlé Boycott Committee (INBC) and suggest that a meeting with Nestlé to discuss its timetable for making the changes.
    4. If IBFAN monitoring finds no violations from Nestlé for 18 months, the boycott will be called off.

 

This Union / Cooperative / Association, etc. believes:

  1. that a consumer boycott is a peaceful and effective way of encouraging a company to behave responsibly and notes that although Nestlé continues to reject the majority of violations reported to it, indicating they will continue, the boycott has forced some changes in the company's policies and practices, and also helps to keep this issue in the public and media spotlight; 
  2. that we have a responsibility as an organisation to take a moral stance against companies who fail to meet international standards of behaviour; 
  3. that Nestlé should abide by the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions in their entirety as a minimum requirement in all countries.

 

This Union / Cooperative / Association, etc. resolves:

  1. to call on Nestlé to ensure that its policy and practice at every level in all countries conform to the WHO/UNICEF International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions and to act swiftly to end all violations reported to it;
  2. to call on Nestlé to accept Baby Milk Action's four-point plan for saving infant lives and ultimately ending the boycott, and to act upon it;
  3. not to stock/sell Nescafé/Nestlé products; 
  4. to endorse and publicise the Nestlé boycott; 
  5. to contact Baby Milk Action for the latest information before drafting a resolution to end support for the boycott; 
  6. to affiliate to Baby Milk Action to receive updates on the boycott; 
  7. to support and publicise the work of Baby Milk Action and IBFAN. 

Nestlé boycott endorsers

Nestlé-Free Zone

The following organisations and individuals have given indicated their support for the boycott of Nestlé over its aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes.

We do not have staff resources to actively seek endorsers. We need public support to update and expand this listing. If you would like your organisation to be added to this list (or think an organisation has changed its name, no longer exists or has dropped its support for the boycott) then contact us or see our draft boycott resolution - click here.

If you would like materials to encourage an organisation you support to endorse the boycott, see the Nestlé-Free Zone. You will also find resources there to brand your organisation's website as a Nestlé-Free Zone.

Click here to sign the boycott pledge as an individual.

The UK boycott is currently endorsed by:

BUSINESSES

Wholefood businesses:

(Note: An example of how the boycott affects Nestlé's business. Tartex vegetarian paté was once a Nestlé product and so on the boycott list. Nestlé sold the brand and the new managers shifted production to a non-Nestlé factory.) 

  1. AARDVARK WHOLEFOODS (Carmarthen)
  2. ABUNDANCE NATURAL FOODS (Kilburn)
  3. ADDYMAN BOOKS (Hay-on-Wye)
  4. AHIMSA (Malvern)
  5. ALARA WHOLEFOODS (London)
  6. ANGEL FOOD (Tiverton)
  7. AQUARIAN BASICS (Nottingham)
  8. AQUARIUS (London)
  9. ARJUNA (Cambridge)
  10. BARLEYCORN WHOLEFOOD (Eccles)
  11. BEANO'S WHOLEFOODS (Matlock Bath)
  12. BUMBLE BEE NATURAL FOODS (London)
  13. CANTERBURY WHOLEFOODS
  14. COMMUNITY FOODS (London)
  15. COOKS DELIGHT (Berkhamstead)
  16. CRABAPPLE (Shrewsbury)
  17. DROP IN THE OCEAN (Coventry)
  18. ESSENTIAL WHOLEFOODS (Bristol)
  19. EVERGREEN WHOLEFOODS (Dewsbury)
  20. FIRST SEASON (Whitby)
  21. FOOD FOR ALL (London)
  22. FOOD FOR THOUGHT (Ilford)
  23. GREEN CITY WHOLEFOODS (Glasgow)
  24. GREEN EARTH WHOLEFOODS (London)
  25. HARVEST WHOLEFOODS (Bath)
  26. HARVEST MOON WHOLEFOOD (Hitchin and Hereford)
  27. HERB GARDEN CAFE
  28. HIGHLAND WHOLEFOODS (Inverness)
  29. HUNZA WHOLEFOODS (Brentford)
  30. HYSON GREEN WHOLEFOODS (Nottingham)
  31. INFINITY FOODS (Brighton)
  32. LEICESTER WHOLEFOOD CO-OP
  33. MANDELA WHOLEFOODS (Newcastle)
  34. MARIGOLD HEALTH FOODS (London)
  35. MISTLETOE FARM HEALTHFOODS (Willingham)
  36. THE MUSTARD SEED (Whitby)
  37. NATURAL CHOICE (Ashbourne)
  38. NATURAL FOOD STORES (Leeds)
  39. NATURAL LIFE (Cranleigh, Surrey)
  40. NEW ROOTS (Sheffield)
  41. ON THE 8th DAY (Manchester)
  42. PLANET ORGANIC (London)
  43. PLOUGHSHARES (Glastonbury)
  44. PLOUGHSHARES (Wellingborough)
  45. PULSE WHOLEFOOD CO-OP (Swindon)
  46. RAINBOW CENTRE (Nottingham)
  47. RAINBOW WHOLEFOODS (Norwich)
  48. RENAISSANCE (Eastbourne)
  49. SESAME WHOLEFOODS (York)
  50. SUMA (Halifax)
  51. SUNBURST NATURAL FOODS (London)
  52. SUNFLOWER WHOLEFOODS (Bedford)
  53. TRINITY WHOLEFOODS (Hastings)
  54. VEGANOMICS (London)
  55. VEGEBILITY (West Kirby)
  56. VEGGIES CATERING CAMPAIGN (Nottingham)
  57. THE WHOLEFOOD SHOP (Frome)
  58. THE WHOLEFOOD STORE (Glastonbury)
  59. WHOLE HEALTH (Shrewsbury)
  60. WHOLESOME (London)
  61. WHOLESOME TRUCKING (London)
  62. WILD OATS (London)
  63. WILD OATS (Nottingham & Mansfield)
  64. WINDMILL WHOLEFOODS (Liverpool) 

Other businesses:

  1. ABC ESTATES (Manchester) Estate agents
  2. AQUAID (Cambridge)
  3. ARCHES HOTEL (Bristol)
  4. BAKEHOUSE RESTAURANT (nr. March)
  5. BUCKINGHAM PET FOODS
  6. CAPTAIN'S CATCH RESTAURANT (Hitchin)
  7. CHANDNI CHOWK (Credition, Devon)
  8. DELTA T DEVICES LTD (Cambs)
  9. EARTHLY GOODS (Huntingdon)
  10. EQUAL EXCHANGE
  11. EXPECTING CHANGES (Glasgow)
  12. FIRST BORN NAPPIES
  13. THE FLAVOURY FESTIVAL CATERERS
  14. GLOBAL EXCHANGE (Norwich)
  15. GREEN & BLACK'S (Chocolate company)
  16. HATTERS RESTAURANT (Hitchin)
  17. HUNGRY MONKEY YOGHURT CO.
  18. HOUGHTON & NEVILL (Stroud) Chemist
  19. INTERACT Catering to the Body Shop
  20. JAI’S (Wellingborough) Grocery
  21. LEEDS ANIMATION WORKSHOP
  22. LEEDS POSTCARDS
  23. LIMITED RESOURCES (Manchester)
  24. LONGDEN GREEN GENERAL STORE (Shrewsbury)
  25. METAMORPHOSIS (Leeds theatre company)
  26. OLIVE BRANCH (Marple) Coffee shop
  27. DANIEL FIELD (Gwent) Hairdressing Retail
  28. POPCORN IN THE PARK (London)
  29. RAFFLES (Wirksworth) Restaurant
  30. RAYMOND TOMLINSON ANTIQUES (Wetherby)
  31. RUM COMMUNITY SHOP
  32. SHOCKING PINK Women’s Magazine
  33. SUNSET CAFE
  34. The MOTHER MAGAZINE
  35. THE PLAYHOUSE BAR, Norwich
  36. TRAIDCRAFT
  37. WILLIOW NURSERY (Barnham)
  38. WOODSETTON DESIGN (Wolverhampton)

FAITH GROUPS

  1. ALLIANCE OF BAPTIST YOUTH
  2. BAPTIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY
  3. BAPTIST UNION
  4. BATTERSEA CHURCHES HOUSING TRUST
  5. BURNLEY LANE BAPTIST CHURCH Burnley
  6. CANTERBURY BAHHAIS
  7. CATHOLIC STUDY CIRCLE FOR ANIMAL WELFARE 
  8. CHRIST CHURCH Chesterfield
  9. CHRISTIAN MEDICAL COMMISSION supported the boycott in Contact
  10. CHURCH HOUSING ASSOCIATION Leeds
  11. CHURCH OF SCOTLAND Department of Communication
  12. CHURCH OF THE MARTYRS Leicester
  13. CHURCH IN WALES sold its Nestlé shares
  14. CHRISTIAN ETHICAL INVESTMENT GROUP
  15. FELLOWSHIP OF UNITED REFORMED CHURCH YOUTH
  16. JUSTICE & PEACE COMMISSION Local groups
  17. LEEDS ISLAMIC MOVEMENT
  18. LEICESTER DIOCESAN SYNOD
  19. METHODIST CHURCH (see Conference 2006 texts) 
  20. MUSLIM WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION Leeds
  21. OXFORD DIOCESAN SYNOD
  22. REFORM SYNAGOGUES GB Youth, Students & Young Adults
  23. RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF FRIENDS (QUAKERS) Wythenshawe
  24. SISTERS OF MERCY UK
  25. ST LLEURWG’S CHURCH Hirwaun
  26. ST PETER'S CHURCH BRISTOL YOUTH GROUP 
  27. UNITED REFORMED CHURCH (WALES)
  28. WORLD FEDERATION OF METHODIST WOMEN supported the boycott in Magnet
  29. YOUNG CHRISTIAN WORKERS

HEALTH GROUPS

  1. ABM (Association of Breastfeeding Mothers)
  2. AIMS (Association for the Improvement of Maternity Services)
  3. ARM (Association of Radical Midwives)
  4. BREASTFEEDING NETWORK COMMUNITY NUTRITION GROUP of the British Dietetic Association
  5. COMPASS Liverpool
  6. ESSEX COUNTY HOSPITAL Health Promotion Unit
  7. HEALTH VISITORS’ ASSOCIATION
  8. HOSPITAL ALERT Canterbury
  9. KENT SCHOOL NURSE GROUP
  10. MATERNITY ALLIANCE
  11. MENCAP Haringey
  12. MIDIRS (Midwives Information & Resources Service)
  13. MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY GROUP Leeds
  14. NATIONAL CHILDBIRTH TRUST
  15. NATIONAL PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY UNIT (Oxford)
  16. ROYAL COLLEGE OF MIDWIVES (Wales, Tonbridge and District & Greenwich branches)
  17. SCOTTISH HEALTH VISITORS' ASSOCIATION Forth Valley
  18. SOUTH WARWICKSHIRE HEALTH PROMOTION SERVICE
  19. SOUTH LANCASHIRE HEALTH AUTHORITY
  20. THE WEALDEN CLINIC (Tunbridge Wells)

CONSUMER GROUPS

  1. ANIMAL AID
  2. BELLE ISLE COMMUNITY CENTRE (Leeds)
  3. BRITISH ASIANS ASSOCIATION Leeds
  4. CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU Leeds
  5. COLNE VALLEY CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
  6. EAST LEEDS WOMEN’S WORKSHOPS
  7. ECRA (Ethical Consumer Research Association)
  8. FAVERSHAM WOMEN’S GROUP
  9. THE FOOD COMMISSION
  10. GLOUCESTERSHIRE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT LTD
  11. HALL LANE COMMUNITY CENTRE (Leeds)
  12. INNER WHEEL CLUB OF AYR
  13. INNER WHEEL CLUB OF GLASGOW
  14. LAMBETH TUC UNEMPLOYED CENTRE
  15. LEAGUE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN Leeds
  16. LEEDS GREEN UMBRELLA
  17. LEEDS WOMEN’S CENTRE
  18. LEICESTER MOTHERS’ UNION
  19. LOWER WORTLEY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION (Leeds)
  20. PUDSEY ESPERANTO SOCIETY
  21. RED ROPE Socialist Walkers & Climbers
  22. ST. PANCRAS HOUSING ASSOCIATION
  23. SOROPTOMISTS INTERNATIONAL (Tiverton)
  24. TOWER HAMLETS COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS FORUM
  25. WEST YORKS TIMBLE HOUSING PROJECT
  26. WEST YORKS YOUTH ASSOCIATION
  27. WOMEN AGAINST VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN (Leeds)
  28. WOMEN’S COUNSELLING & THREAPY SERVICE Leeds
  29. WOMEN’S ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK
  30. WOMEN’S HEALTH & REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INFORMATION CENTRE
  31. NATIONAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S INSTITUTES
  32. THE WOODCRAFT FOLK
  33. YORKSHIRE DANCE CENTRE TRUST

LOCAL AUTHORITIES

(For the legal position of supporting the boycott as a local authority click here). 

  1. BOURNEMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
  2. CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL
  3. DERBYSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 'supports the aims of the baby milk campaign'...
  4. as does GLASGOW CITY COUNCIL
  5. GREENWICH BOROUGH COUNCIL
  6. HASTINGS BOROUGH COUNCIL
  7. KILMARNOCK & LOUDOUN DISTRICT COUNCIL
  8. LEICESTER CITY COUNCIL
  9. LEICESTERSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
  10. NORTH BEDS BOROUGH COUNCIL
  11. NORTON RADSTOCK TOWN COUNCIL
  12. OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
  13. SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL
  14. SHREWSBURY & ATCHAM BOROUGH COUNCIL
  15. TODMORDEN TOWN COUNCIL
  16. WEST LOTHIAN DISTRICT COUNCIL
  17. LEEDS CITY COUNCIL Health, Women’s and Race Equality Sub-Committees
  18. OXFORD CITY COUNCIL Health Committee

TRADE UNIONS

  1. UNISON
  2. MSF (Manufacturing, Science & Finance - now part of AMICUS)
  3. FIRE BRIGADES UNION
  4. PCS (Public and Commercial Services)
  5. CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy)
  6. NIPSA (Northern Ireland Public Servants Association)
  7. BRISTOL TRADES UNION COUNCIL
  8. DONCASTER & DISTRICT TUC
  9. PROSPECT, Museum of London branch
  10. BRIGHTON, HOVE & DISTRICT TRADES UNION COUNCIL
  11. SOUTHWARK TRADES COUNCIL
  12. SWTUC (South West Trade Union Congress)

POLITICAL PARTIES & POLITICIANS

  1. THE GREEN PARTY
  2. GREEN PARTY STUDENTS
  3. NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF LABOUR STUDENTS
  4. THE LIBERAL MOVEMENT
  5. THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS
  6. LIBERAL DEMOCRAT YOUTH AND STUDENTS
  7. BROMLEY CO-OP PARTY
  8. LEEDS HUMANISTS
  9. SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY
  10. THE LABOUR LIFE GROUP
  11. Constituency Labour Parties:
  12. CENTRAL SUFFOLK
  13. GOVAN
  14. PRESTON
  15. SHEFFIELD DISTRICT
  16. SPARKBROOK Women’s Section
  17. SOUTH TWICKENHAM
  18. STOKE BRANCH, PLYMOUTH
  19. TOTTENHAM

MP’s & MEP’s

(This list requires updating to reflect latest election results)

  1. GRAHAM ALLEN MP
  2. JOHN BATTLE MP
  3. ALAN BEITH MP
  4. DAVID BLUNKETT MP
  5. DAVID BORROW MP
  6. ANN CLWYD MP
  7. HILTON DAWSON MP
  8. BRIAN DONOHOE MP
  9. JIM DOWD MP
  10. JULIA DROWN MP
  11. BARBARA FOLLETT MP
  12. GEORGE FOULKES MP
  13. NEIL GERRARD MP
  14. WIN GRIFFITHS MP
  15. JOHN HEPPELL MP
  16. GEOFFREY HOON MP
  17. STEPHEN HUGHES MEP
  18. GLENDA JACKSON MP
  19. HELEN JACKSON MP
  20. ANN KEEN MP
  21. CHARLES KENNEDY MP
  22. GLENYS KINNOCK (MEP)
  23. ARCHY KIRKWOOD MP
  24. CALUM MACDONALD MP
  25. DAVID MARTIN MEP
  26. JOHN D McWILLIAM MP
  27. CHRIS MULLIN MP
  28. JOYCE QUIN MP
  29. GEOFFREY ROBINSON MP
  30. MARTIN SALTER MP
  31. CHRIS SMITH MP

NGO’s / CHARITIES

  1. CND South Cheshire & North Staffs
  2. CANTERBURY CAMBODIA SUPPORT
  3. CATHOLIC INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
  4. CHILE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN Leeds
  5. CAT SURVIVAL TRUST, THE EARTH AND THE MISSION RAINFOREST FOUNDATION
  6. CHRISTIAN AID Canterbury
  7. CRED Christian Relief Education and Development
  8. DEVELOPMENT & ENVIRONMENT CENTRE (Norwich)
  9. DORSET PEACE COUNCIL
  10. EARTH FIRST! Gwynedd
  11. FRIENDS OF THE EARTH
  12. HALIFAX THIRD WORLD GROUP
  13. HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
  14. ISLE OF WIGHT PEACE COUNCIL
  15. JERUSALEM & PEACE SERVICE
  16. LEEDS DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION CENTRE
  17. NATIONAL PEACE COUNCIL
  18. ONE WORLD
  19. OUT OF THE BLUE Theatre trust
  20. PENWITH GREEN CENTRE (Penzance)
  21. PEOPLE AND PLANET
  22. READING INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY CENTRE (RISC)
  23. SAVE THE CHILDREN supports the boycott and has asked shops not to stock Nestlé fundraising chocolate.
  24. SPEAK campaign and prayer organisation
  25. THEATRE BABEL
  26. UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION
  27. WAR ON WANT CAMPAIGNS
  28. WORLD DEVELOPMENT MOVEMENT
  29. WORLD VISION UK

EDUCATION GROUPS

  1. NATIONAL UNION OF STUDENTS
  2. NUS Women's Campaign
  3. NUS WALES Women's Campaign
  4. MATURE STUDENTS UNION

Student Unions:

  1. ABERDEEN COLLEGE
  2. ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY
  3. BANGOR UNIVERSITY
  4. BATH UNIVERSITY
  5. BIRMINGHAM UNIVERSITY
  6. BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY
  7. BRADFORD UNIVERSITY
  8. CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
  9. CENTRAL LANCASHIRE, UNIVERSITY OF
  10. CHELTENHAM & GLOUCESTER COLLEGE
  11. CHURCHILL COLLEGE, Cambridge
  12. COVENTRY UNIVERSITY
  13. CRANFIELD UNIVERSITY
  14. DERBY UNIVERSITY
  15. DE MONTFORD UNIVERSITY
  16. DURHAM UNIVERSITY
  17. EAST ANGLIA,UNIVERSITY OF
  18. EAST LONDON,UNIVERSITY OF
  19. EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY
  20. ESSEX UNIVERSITY
  21. EXETER COLLEGE
  22. EXETER UNIVERSITY
  23. GLAMORGAN UNIVERSITY
  24. GLASGOW UNIVERSITY
  25. HERTFORDSHIRE, UNIVERSITY OF HOMERTON COLLEGE, Cambridge
  26. HULL UNIVERSITY
  27. IMPERIAL COLLEGE London
  28. KENT INSTITUTE OF ART AND DESIGN
  29. KENT UNIVERSITY
  30. KEELE UNIVERSITY
  31. KINGS COLLEGE, Cambridge
  32. KINGS COLLEGE London
  33. LADY MARGARET HALL, Oxford
  34. LANCASTER UNIVERSITY
  35. LEEDS METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY
  36. LEEDS UNIVERSITY
  37. LIMERICK UNIVERSITY
  38. LIVERPOOL, JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY
  39. LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY
  40. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
  41. LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY
  42. MAGDALEN COLLEGE, Oxford
  43. MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY
  44. NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY
  45. NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY
  46. OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY
  47. OXFORD UNIVERSITY
  48. PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY
  49. QUEEN MARY & WESTFIELD COLLEGE
  50. QUEENS UNIVERSITY, Belfast
  51. ST ANDREW’S UNIVERSITY
  52. ST ANNE’S COLLEGE, Oxford
  53. ST DAVID’S UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
  54. ST. HUGH'S COLLEGE, Oxford
  55. ST JOHN’S COLLEGE, Oxford
  56. SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY
  57. SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY
  58. SOMERVILLE COLLEGE, Oxford
  59. SOUTH DOWNS COLLEGE
  60. STRATHCLYDE UNIVERSITY
  61. SUNDERLAND UNIVERSITY
  62. SWANSEA UNIVERSITY
  63. TEESSIDE UNIVERSITY
  64. TRINITY & ALL SAINTS COLLEGE (Leeds)
  65. TRINITY COLLEGE (Carmarthen)
  66. UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER AT COLERAINE
  67. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, London
  68. WADHAM COLLEGE, Oxford
  69. WARWICK UNIVERSITY
  70. WEST OF ENGLAND, UNIVERSITY OF
  71. WESTMINSTER INSTITUTE (Oxford)
  72. WOLVERHAMPTON UNIVERSITY
  73. YORK UNIVERSITY
  74. Other Education groups:
  75. THE ACTUAL WORKSHOP (London)
  76. BURNHAM YOUTH CENTRE (Slough)
  77. CHILTERN & SOUTH BUCKS YOUTH COUNCIL
  78. CHAPELTOWN NURSERY (Leeds)
  79. DITTON FIELDS NURSERY (Cambridge)
  80. FOREST SCHOOL CAMPS
  81. GAMESLEY YOUTH CENTRE (Glossop)
  82. LEEDS METRO UNIVERSITY Refectory
  83. LIGHTHOUSE YOUTH GROUP (Burnley)
  84. LONG ROAD SIXTH FORM COLLEGE (Cambridge)
  85. MOORLANDS COLLEGE, Christchurch
  86. ST. EDMUND’S SCHOOL Wolverhampton
  87. THE WOODCRAFT FOLK
  88. THE WILLIAM MORRIS SOCIETY
  89. UKPLAYWORKERS

CELEBRITIES

  1. AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM
  2. ASIAN DUB FOUNDATION
  3. FRANCESCA ANNIS (Actress)
  4. PADDY ASHDOWN
  5. JANE ASHER (Actress)
  6. BRIAN BALL (Author)
  7. TONY BENN
  8. JEAN BOHT (Actress)
  9. MELVIN BURGESS (Author)
  10. JULIE CHRISTIE (Actress)
  11. NOAM CHOMSKY
  12. STEVE COOGAN (Comedian)
  13. DEREK COOPER (Broadcaster)
  14. ANNE LORNE GILLIES (Folk singer)
  15. RICHARD E. GRANT (Actor)
  16. GERMAINE GREER (Author)
  17. SHEILA HANCOCK (Actress)
  18. PAT KANE (Singer with rock band Hue & Cry)
  19. Stewart Lee (Comedian)
  20. FELICITY KENDALL (Actress)
  21. PENELOPE LEACH (Author)
  22. RUTH MADOC (Actress)
  23. THE MAN FROM DEL MONTE (Rock Band)
  24. RIK MAYALL (Actor)
  25. MICHEL ODENT (Childbirth specialist)
  26. PHILIPPA PEARCE(author)
  27. TONY ROBINSON (Actor)
  28. GERALD SCARFE (Cartoonist)
  29. CHRISTOPHER TIMOTHY (Actor)
  30. RICKY TOMLINSON (Actor)
  31. EMMA THOMPSON (Actress)
  32. SPARE TYRE (Theatre Company)
  33. TRASH CAN SINATRAS (Rock Band)
  34. MARK THOMAS (Comedian/journalist)
  35. JULIE WALTERS (Actress)
  36. ZOE WANAMAKER (Actress)
  37. VICTORIA WOOD (Comedian)
  38. SPUDWINKLES

International Nestlé-Free Week: 27 October - 2 November 2014

International Nestlé-Free Week is a time for people who boycott Nestlé over the way it pushes baby milk to do more to promote the boycott - and for those who don't boycott to give it a go.

Take a note of the date for 2014 and sign up for email alerts for news.

The information for the week in 2013 is given below - please keep taking action. The boycott will continue until Nestlé abides by the internationally agreed marketing standards.

Nestlé promotes its formula with claims such as it "protects" babies and provides a "natural start" (left, example from Thailand, 2013).  Downloand our sheet on Nestlé's labels in 2013 for further examples and information.

To take part, simply stay Nestlé free during the week, and spread the word wherever you see Nestlé products. Scroll down - or click here - for how to explain the boycott in a few sentences.

Click here to send a message to Nestlé via email and/or Twitter calling on it to stop its misleading marketing of baby milk.

Click here to see the event page on Facebook and invite your friends.

PDFThere will also be activities to join in during the week. On Monday 28 October, Nestlé is holding its Creating Shared Value Global Forum. This is part of Nestlé's strategy to promote itself as having a solely beneficial impact (see Baby Milk Action's analysis Nestlé's Creative Storytelling Venture) and to put itself at the centre of policy setting on development, nutrition, the environment and so on.

You can protest at the event by sending messages on Twitter explaining that you are boycotting Nestlé until executives stop violating the baby food marketing requirements - use the Twitter hashtag #CSVForum - you can cite examples of what Nestlé is really doing.

Click on the image, left, to download and print our poster showing examples of Nestlé's formula labels. Use it to explain to friends and colleagues why you support the boycott.

Below you will find other resources, such as Nestlé-Free Zone poster to display in your homw, office or window. This may be particularly useful to put in your window if Halloween is marked in your country.

Boycott Fairtrade KitKat - and spread the word about Nestle's unethical behaviour

9 March, 2011 - 11:27 — Webmaster

As Nestlé goes on a Public Relations (PR) offensive trying to improve its image by linking to the Fairtrade name during International Nestlé-Free Week, it is a great opportunity to tell people why to boycott Nestlé Fairtrade KitKat, its token Fairtrade chocolate bar, involving just 2.6% of its cocoa purchase. You can download our leaflet 'Why boycott Nestlé Fairtrade KitKat' by clicking here. You can also invite your friends to the event on Facebook event - click here - and adapt our suggested message (given below) for posting as a comment on articles that highlight KitKat without mentioning other concerns.

Crowdsourcing - unpick Nestlé's claims

Baby Milk Action's campaigns calling on Nestlé to abide by the international marketing standards for baby foods force changes from the company. Sometimes it first dismisses allegations or attempts to justify practices - we are at this stage regarding the 'protect' logos on Nestlé formula - examples of Nestlé's promotional strategy can be seen on our Email Nestlé campaign page.

In its latest response to the campaign, Nestlé says it has discontinued leaflets claiming its formula is 'The new "Gold Standard" in infant nutrition', which are presumably too embarrassing to try to defend. In 2009 our exposé of promotion in rural Africa prompted it to clamp down on this prohibited practice. With further pressure we will persuade it to remove the idealising and misleading logos from labels. You can help.

Such logos are prohibited by Article 9.2 of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which states:

"Neither the container nor the label should have pictures of infants, nor should they have other pictures or text which may idealise the use of infant formula" [emphasis added].

The logos are not only a breach of this prohibition, they are misleading. In a letter dated 2 November 2010, Nestlé disregards Article 9.2 and defends the logos.

We welcome you to investigate and critique the justification made by Nestlé. Its claims cannot be taken at face value, as we found when investigating its earlier defence of claims its formula contains 'Brain Building Blocks' (click here).

Nestlé is still being disingenuous. For example, in its defence given below, the review cited by Nestlé recommending DHA and ARA are added to formula was funded by a company called the Martek Biosciences Corporation. Nestlé does not reveal this fact, but it is extremely relevant. Martek manufactures DHA and ARA using microalgae fermentation specifically for adding to formula. So Martek funded the review recommending its products are added to formula - this is known as a 'conflict of interest'.

Nestlé suggests it accepts the findings of reviews by the Cochrane Library - that there is 'no proven benefit' from adding ingredients such as Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (DHA and ARA) - but continues to base its global marketing strategy on the addition of these ingredients. If there were proven benefit, Baby Milk Action would be campaigning for them to be added to the list of required ingredients for all formulas - and not be used for promotional purposes.

See what else you can uncover by scratching the surface of Nestlé's claims. Bear in mind, that Nestlé claimed its formula is 'The new "Gold Standard" in infant nutrition' and is using other questionable claims in attempting to persuade health workers to promote its formula to parents (an example from Egypt is given left).  Looking at who conducted reviews, who they work for and who funded their involvement is particularly relevant. And what do the organisations Nestlé cites actually say about adding DHA and ARA to formula? See what you can find out and post quotes and links in comments to this article - it would be useful if you can indicate your own area of expertise when you do. There are several misleading statements that jump out at us and we will compile source documents to demonstrate this - you can help.

Nestlé's justification of its health claims:

Information on our products labels is backed by scientific evidence.

The 'Protect' logo is used on a new generation of sophisticated infant formulas with a unique combination of specific strains of probiotics, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, immune-nutrients and selected proteins. This unique combination has positive effects on the infant's physiology and metabolism compared with other formulas without these ingredients. However, we in no way suggest that the formula is equal to or superior to breast milk.

Contrary to what is suggested in your letter, we do not make any claim on the products labels that contradicts the Cochrane Library's reviews.

Our statement is that DHA and ARA are "two special fatty acids found in breast milk, which are important to your baby's defence system, and contribute to the development of brain and vision"

These are simply matters of fact (see: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18184094). A number of important international organisations and experts recommend that DHA and ARA be added to infant formula. These include the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrtion (ESPGHAN), the World Association of Perinatal Medicine (WAPM) and the Child Health Foundation.

Regarding probiotics, we do not claim on labels that probiotics prevent allergic disease or food reactions. It is only stated that Bifidus L are "naturally active cultures that help to reinforce your baby's defense system".

It is important to make a distinction between information that is included on a label for a consumer and that which is offered in a scientific and factual document for a health care professional. It is in the latter document that information on research studies concerning the protective effects of probiotics on allergic reactions and intestinal disease are discussed (for examples of this science, see: http://www.babymilk.nestle.com/Documents/scientific-substantiation.pdf). 

 

Update April 2011: Nestlé stated that WHO recommends that DHA and ARA be added to infant formula. This is untrue as WHO told Members of the European Parliament in April 2011, prior to the Parliament voting against authorising DHA claims. WHO stated: "WHO does not have a recommendation about the addition of  docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to formula milk.....to date no solid evidence exists to be able to say that adding DHA to infant formula will have important clinical benefits. Were WHO to give such a recommendation, it would have to follow a strict guideline development process based on grading of all  available evidence collected through systematic reviews by expert panels free from conflict of interest."

Four-point plan to end the Nestlé boycott

Nestlé-Free Zone

Last updated: 16 April 2012

The following plan was put to Nestlé in March 2001 at Cambridge University when, thanks to boycott pressure, Nestlé agreed to debate its baby food marketing practices with Baby Milk Action. Prior to this date Nestlé refused to even speak in public if Baby Milk Action was present in the room.

The plan was immediately rejected by Nestlé executives and has been repeatedly rejected since when Baby Milk Action has written asking the company to reconsider or raised it again at debates. Having lost a series of debates, Nestlé has refused to debate since 2005.

Syndicate content