Does Nestlé provide free supplies of infant formula to hospitals in developing countries, in violation of the WHO Code and several subsequent WHA Resolutions?
The WHO Code says “Donations or low-price sales to institutions or organizations … may be made. Such supplies should only be used or distributed for infants who have to be fed on breast-milk substitutes…” (Article 6.6) Nestlé does not provide mothers in developing countries with free samples of infant formula. The situation with medical facilities is similar, except for rare social welfare cases. A 1994 WHA Resolution recommended to governments a total ban on free supplies to hospitals. Nestlé agrees with this recommendation in principle as it aims to reinforce the primacy of breastfeeding. However, Nestlé also agrees with the way many governments have implemented this resolution, allowing donations e.g. for orphans, multiple births, hospitalised babies with no access to mothers milk and disaster relief. Nestlé’s policy regarding donations or low-price sales of infant formula was thus reinforced in 1994 to reflect the WHA Resolution; we therefore do not give free supplies of infant
