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Nestle's milk line is hard to swallow
Nestlé said in the Buxton Advertiser regarding my concern that its shelf talkers promoting its Nan infant formula in South Africa breach international marketing standards: "This allegation is incorrect and the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa has, in fact, already ruled that this advertising did not contravene any advertising restrictions.
Mr Brady's final allegation that the health claims on the Nan labels are non-compliant is also incorrect as the health claims fully comply with the South African regulations that apply to this product."
No such ruling can be found on the ASA website. Both Nestl and the ASA have been asked to provide it and neither has done so, though in its reply to me, Nestl again dismisses the complaint.
The South African Department of Health informs me that they are usually consulted in such cases and have no knowledge of any ASA ruling on Nestl shelf talkers. Further I have been informed that the DH told Nestl that it is "extremely concerned about all the health claims that Nestle make on the new NAN 1, 2 and 3 tins. The health claims are a contravention of the current South African Regulations."
Nestl claims the formula 'protects' though it is well known that infants fed on formula lose the protection provided by breastmilk against infection and are more likely to become sick and, in the South African context, to die.
Tom Levitt MP, who started this discussion by unjustifiably praising Nestl's compliance with the marketing requirements, has not responded to my messages or accepted an invitation to meet, but has posted an article on his blog, stating: "Tom accepts the company's explanation as being consistent with what the MPs saw and heard in South Africa."
Presumably Mr Levitt did not speak with the regulatory authorities on his Nestl-funded trip or since. Baby Milk Action has conducted a poll on its website and 100% of people who have completed it agree that Nestl is breaching the very clear prohibition on advertising in the marketing Code. I once again ask Mr Levitt to conduct a serious investigation, even if the conclusions may dissuade Nestl from giving him further free tickets to Wimbledon and international trips.
See: www.babymilkaction.org/CEM/cemmarch08vote.html
Mike Brady
Campaigns and Networking Coordinator
Baby Milk Action
Cambridge
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Weather for Buxton
Thursday 24 May 2012
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