How does Nestlé support breastfeeding and comply with the WHO Code?
At Nestlé, we strongly believe that nutrition plays a vital role in improving lives. This started in 1867, when Henri Nestlé pioneered a milk-based solution for infants and young children at risk of malnutrition. Since then, we have known that when it comes to infant nutrition, breastfeeding is undeniably the best start for babies. We support and promote exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life, followed by the introduction of appropriate complementary foods. We take this very seriously, and to that end, we have a strict global policy of not promoting infant formula for babies under six months everywhere as a minimum, limiting our engagement to healthcare professionals.
However, we understand that breastfeeding is not always possible for different reasons. Unfortunately, many infants do not receive adequate nutrients for their healthy growth and development as a result of inadequate alternatives to breastmilk or during their transition to solid foods. In these cases, we are here to offer our support. Our solutions are grounded in science and designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of infants and young children and help combat malnutrition. We market our products with great care, ensuring transparency and compliance with all relevant regulations.
Over the past five decades, we have voluntarily implemented measures to promote breastfeeding, restrict our own marketing activities, and foster innovation. In 1982, we proudly became the first infant formula company to voluntarily implement recommendations from the WHO International Code of Marketing of breast milk substitutes (WHO Code) — a set of recommendations to countries to regulate the marketing of infant formula, feeding bottles and teats. This demonstrated our leading approach to regulating infant formula marketing practices.
Our current voluntary commitments are published in the Nestlé Policy For Implementing the WHO Code.
As a minimum, Nestlé complies with the WHO Code and WHA Resolutions as implemented by national governments worldwide. In many countries, our internal policy goes beyond the local legislative and regulatory framework. In 163 countries where child malnutrition and infant mortality prevalence reach certain thresholds, we apply an even stricter policy not to promote infant formula for babies aged 0-12 months, as a minimum.
Nestlé has established a robust internal WHO Code Management System. Our internal Policy, with clear Do’s & Don’ts, covers all our marketing activities, including those on digital channels. We have dedicated people on the ground to make sure it is followed accordingly. This network of WHO Code Compliance Managers encourages sharing across markets and connects experts dedicated to implementing and safeguarding compliance with Nestlé’s Policy. Every year, we publicly report on our progress and actions taken to address any instances of non-compliance.
We also encourage stakeholders to share any concerns they may have on our marketing practices through our ‘Speak Up’ system. Nestlé investigates all concerns raised, and quickly addresses any instances of non-compliance reported to us.
All employees in our early childhood nutrition business are trained on our Policy and compliance with this Policy is mandatory for all, in accordance with our Code of Business Conduct. They understand and embody the importance of protecting and supporting breastfeeding, including complying with our Policy. This strong and clear dedication helps us make a positive impact on the lives of babies and support parents and caregivers.
Our own Global Parental Support Policy supports breastfeeding-friendly workplaces where we offer up to 6 months maternity leave. It also includes provisions for paid parental leave (14 weeks for the primary caregivers and 4 weeks for the secondary caregivers), flexible work arrangements and a work environment conducive to breastfeeding. Each Nestlé facility with more than 50 employees makes available and accessible a room or space conducive to breastfeeding which enables female employees to either breastfeed or express milk during working hours in a secure and relaxing environment.
We also recognize the importance of supporting maternal health to encourage longer breastfeeding and positively impact babies' overall health. That is why we are committed to advocating for and investing in strengthening our maternal nutrition solutions.
Advocating for social protections
While local Code implementation helps address gaps in the health of mothers and babies, it should not be isolated from any law or policy that supports parents and caregivers (for example, parental leave and the availability of breastfeeding rooms) which is also critical in creating the right environments to support breastfeeding.
Of particular relevance for parents and caregivers are social protections such as maternity and paternity leave and childcare, which help make parents’ lives easier. In many countries, there are few or no policies to support new parents in fostering exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months as recommended by the WHO. Even when maternity leave is available, facilities to enable breastfeeding by working mothers, such as breastfeeding rooms, may not exist. This can prevent continued breastfeeding after the introduction of complementary foods at six months.
In our efforts to support and protect breastfeeding, we advocate for social policies that encourage mothers to breastfeed for as long as possible and that create an environment conducive to making parents’ lives easier and to supporting the health and well-being of their babies.
Has Nestlé lobbied to oppose breastfeeding policies?
We strongly support breastfeeding and have not wavered on this position. We have not, nor would we ever, lobby any governments to oppose breastfeeding policies anywhere in the world.
We believe that breastfeeding is the best start for babies. We will continue promoting exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Where mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed, we believe infant formula provides the only alternative. We continue our commitment to responsibly and compliantly offer products to support mothers and caregivers who need or choose an alternative to breastfeeding.
How do we guarantee the overall quality and nutrition of infant formula?
Our focus on quality is consistent from the farm to the factory up through to the moment it reaches your little one.
The milk that forms the basis of our formula milks is stored in cooling tanks to ensure it is used at the peak of freshness. It is transported in insulated stainless-steel tanks, which keeps it fresh and healthy. Once at our factory, it undergoes up to 500 different checks for contaminants and antibiotics. To prevent harmful microorganisms that grow in wet environments, our powder formulas are made in completely dry areas. The production area is also carefully cleaned to avoid contaminative moisture and even the air conditioner works with special filters to reduce humidity in the air. These controlled processes along with constant monitoring, ensure our formulas remain in the same conditions from the moment they are made.
In tandem, our Nestlé researchers and close partnerships with academic organizations are continuously using the latest discoveries to refine and enhance our formulas, keeping in mind that breastmilk is the absolute gold standard that will never be replicated. Their developments are rooted in an ever-evolving understanding of breastmilk, its benefits and how formulas can contain the proteins, minerals and other components to bring infants an optimal alternative. These undergo clinical trials with leading independent institutions around the world to validate their safety and quality – so that ultimately, we can confidently support babies’ growth and development, whenever mums cannot or decide not to breastfeed.
Careful production and processing are critical to upholding our high product standards. This eye for quality continues when we consider our packaging and ultimate consumer use. Formula is packed and sealed in containers to protect the freshness, flavor and nutritional value until it reaches your home. Easy-to-understand labels always provide specific, clear instructions on our packaging for how to use, prepare and store it. These directions help parents and caregivers feed their baby their formula in the safest way possible. Our packaging and labels play a critical role ensuring our formulas are used at the right age — so your little one gets exactly what they need, when they need it.
