West African monitoring reveals

serious breaches by Nestlé,

Danone and Wyeth

A joint project (1)  of several international infant nutrition organizations, to monitor compliance to the International Code by West African manufacturers of infant formula and related products, found significant promotions of artificial feeding in clear violation of Code requirements. Breastfeeding for child survival is critical for West African infants and the promotion of artificial feeding by Nestlé, Danone and Wyeth, is putting infant lives at risk.

The survey notes that the infant formula marketing capitalizes on "increased value placed on modern behaviours and through contact with western health practices" as well as "exposure to mass media."

Two countries, Togo, with no legislation for Code implementation, and Burkina Faso, which does have regulations to restrict the marketing of breastmilk substitutes were included in the survey. The survey covered 43 health facilities, 66 sales outlets and distribution points, 186 health providers and 105 mothers and infants in 16 cities.

The survey also noted that Nestlé, Danone and Wyeth disregarded national legislation requiring compliance to the International Code. Although Nestlé, in its public relations statements makes claim to always comply with national laws, such claims undoubtedly are intended to make Nestlé look "clean." Clearly any claim Nestlé makes about "code compliance" must be questioned in light of these and other findings and puts into serious doubt the many statements Nestlé makes to  counteract their actual marketing behaviours.

Additionally, the survey also highlights the need for continued monitoring and for enforcement of the Code requirements. Both the WHO and the international community can play an active role in this process.  WHO can provide both technical and financial assistance and the international  community can continue to pressure these companies  through boycotts and exposure of their deadly marketing tactics.

Nevertheless, the Code specifically places the responsibility for compliance with the industries whether or not a government has legislation in place. The researchers note that as "the burden of compliance… rests with the manufacturers themselves." To this they add, "The evidence from this large systematic survey of health facilities, distribution points, health providers, and mothers in Togo and Burkina Faso shows that in West Africa manufacturers of breastmilk substitutes do not have a place in a consistent framework of policies, procedures, and work instructions to ensure  compliance with the Code."

Déjà vu or are the companies willing to toss the advertising?

You be the judge.

"We are going to look at each one of these allegations. For the time being these are no more than allegations," said François Perroud, a spokesman for Nestlé.

If necessary the company will take steps to correct errors, if they have been committed, or to sanction people who might not have respected the code, he added.

But Perroud questioned why the researchers had not informed the company of the allegations and said it was not clear in the report whether the governments of the countries were involved in the monitoring.

"The government has an obligation under the code to do the monitoring," he said.

Danone said it was surprised by the assertions and said it fully complied with labeling requirements.

"The Groupe Danone reaf- firms that it does not, notably in the mentioned countries, allow itself any advertising or promotional activity to the general public for breast-milk substitutes," the company said in a statement.

No one from Wyeth in Britain was available to comment.  Dr. Tony Waterston, a paediatrician at Newcastle General Hospital in Newcastle Upon Tyne, northern England, said it is not the first time baby formula makers have been accused of violating the code.

—Reuter, Jan 17, 2003