How formula milk firms target mothers who can least afford it

Guardian/Save the Children investigation in deprived areas of Philippines finds companies flouting international code

Formula milk companies are continuing to use aggressive, clandestine and often illegal methods to target mothers in the poorest parts of the world to encourage them to choose powdered milk over breastfeeding, a new investigation shows.

A Guardian/Save the Children investigation in some of the most deprived areas of the Philippines found that Nestlé and three other companies were offering doctors, midwives and local health workers free trips to lavish conferences, meals, tickets to shows and the cinema and even gambling chips, earning their loyalty. This is a clear violation of Philippine law.

Related: Nestlé under fire for marketing claims on baby milk formulas

They have an active campaign to get mothers to use formula, even when breastfeeding is still an option

I didn’t eat so I could feed the baby … formula is expensive so I couldn't always give it to my baby when she was hungry

Related: Breastfeeding Q&A: is breast really best for mother and baby?

Continue reading... February 27, 2018 at 05:31AM