Field research in Tropical Medicine, and Mother and Child Health. Malaria, nutrition, neglected disease, HIV, TB, paediatrics, Epilepsy, access to treatment, treatments for children.
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| Roland Stieger, Send response to journal: | Dear Sirs, Nestlé is very concerned that mothers in poor countries feed infants with inappropriate breast milk substitutes. These are frequently rice water, starch and water, whole cows’ milk, diluted family foods, or other foods, including milk-based products from various manufacturers, which are not designed as breast milk substitutes. The immediate issue raised in this article concerning BEAR BRAND Beverage Creamer in Laos has been resolved, as Nestlé stopped its distribution, and stopped an independent company which had licensed the brand, from producing it in February 2008. Nestlé recognizes that Barennes et al. raise legitimate questions, and is in the process of re-evaluating the BEAR BRAND brand for milk products and studying how to prevent any confusion with infant formula. This is a part of ongoing steps to stop the inappropriate use of non- infant formula products as breast milk substitutes. In the developing world, Nestlé puts on all coffee creamers and other milk products which are inappropriate for infant feeding a statement that “this product is not to be used as a breast milk substitute” or “not appropriate for infant feeding”. Additionally, in 2002 Nestlé introduced a pictogram on BEAR BRAND beverage creamer in Laos, - a bottle crossed out with large red ‘X’ to show that the product was not to be used as a breast milk substitute. This step, a result of discussions with and approval by the government, went beyond strict compliance with the local laws and regulations in order to further reduce the risk of confusion amongst both literate and illiterate mothers. We believe that successful long-term business is possible only if the interests of mothers and children are protected. Therefore, Nestlé will continue to explore ways to assure that products not intended for infant feeding are not confused with legitimate breast milk substitutes, working in collaboration with national and international health authorities. The author of this response is Roland Stieger, the Business Executive Manager for Dairy at Nestlé (Thai) Ltd. Competing interests: The author of this response is the Business Executive Manager for Dairy at Nestlé (Thai) Ltd. | |||
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