Why does Nestlé still get accused of mis-selling infant formula?
Some people involved in the issue interpret the WHO Code more widely than most governments, members of the scientific community and companies. The WHO Code is a recommendation to governments: it recognizes that they should decide national policies taking into account their socio-economic status and development goals. In contrast, some think that infant food manufacturers should apply the Code in the same way in all countries. In developed countries with strong governments, high rates of literacy, scientific and medical understanding, clean water and low infant mortality, such as the US, Canada or Europe, governments should determine how information on infant feeding should be communicated. Therefore, in these countries we follow all national legislation or measures implementing the WHO Code. In developing countries, with higher infant mortality, lower levels of literacy and poorer sanitation, Nestlé follows the WHO Code as a minimum standard. We follow national legislation if this is s
