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Breast-milk substitute marketing: compliance record

We invest substantial resources to ensure our marketing of breast-milk substitutes (BMS) complies with the aim and principles of the Nestlé Policy and Procedures for the Implementation of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes (pdf, 3.2Mb) (the WHO Code). We are strongly committed to transparency, and report regularly and publicly on compliance with topics that are related to the WHO Code. These reports are available below.

Our compliance record

Every year, we publish an external report summarising the results of our compliance record with the WHO Code over the year, and actions taken to remedy any non-compliances found. These reports cover compliance with the Nestlé Policy and instructions for implementation of the WHO Code and national regulations implementing the Code.

External reports on WHO Code compliance

2016 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 2.7Mb)
2015 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 1.8Mb)
2014 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 450Kb)
2013 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 400Kb)
2012 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 161Kb)
2011 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 385Kb)
2010 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 222Kb)
2009 External Report on Nestlé’s compliance with WHO Code related topics (pdf, 180Kb)

FTSE4Good

FTSE4Good is the responsible investment index of the FTSE Group. It is designed to help investors identify and invest in companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards. It is the only responsible investment index that has defined objective criteria on the responsible marketing of BMS.

We are proud to have been the first BMS manufacturer included in the FTSE4Good Index and to have consistently met its rigorous criteria for the responsible marketing of BMS since 2011.

Read about our progress in this area.

External audits performed by Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas undertakes independent assurance of our compliance with the Nestlé Policy and Instructions for Implementation of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and national regulations implementing the Code at a country level. Bureau Veritas produces two to three assurance statements a year, which can be found below.

External audits

2017 Ethiopia (pdf, 305Kb) Turkey (pdf, 1Mb) Cambodia (pdf, 980Kb)
2016 Colombia (pdf, 302Kb) Uganda (pdf, 364Kb) Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (pdf, 1Mb)
2015 Peru (pdf, 282Kb) Pakistan (pdf, 164Kb) Egypt (pdf, 267Kb)
2014 Kenya (pdf, 318Kb) Russia (pdf, 123Kb)  
2013 Pakistan (pdf, 141Kb) China (pdf, 132Kb)  
2012 Argentina (pdf, 167Kb) Ukraine & Armenia (pdf, 175Kb) Vietnam (pdf, 162Kb)
2011 Cameroon (pdf, 120Kb) Jamaica (pdf, 133Kb) Laos (pdf, 119Kb)
2010 India (pdf, 202Kb) Philippines (pdf, 202Kb) Ghana (pdf, 205Kb)
2009 Brazil (pdf, 144Kb) Ecuador (pdf, 133Kb) El Salvador (pdf, 129Kb)

Response to IBFAN reports

We publicly respond to the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) report Breaking the Rules, which compiles concerns about infant food marketing practices by all major infant food manufacturers, including Nestlé. We investigate all allegations made in the report and publicly communicate the result of our investigations. We take corrective action whenever it is warranted.

Nestlé responses to IBFAN reports

2017 Nestlé response to IBFAN Report 2017 (pdf, 1.2Mb)
2014 Nestlé response to IBFAN Report 2014 (pdf, 650Kb)
2010 Nestlé response to IBFAN Report 2010 (pdf, 3Mb)
2007 Nestlé response to IBFAN Report 2007 (pdf, 1Mb)
2004 Nestlé response to IBFAN Report 2004 (pdf, 3Mb)

Addressing stakeholder concerns

We encourage stakeholders and the general public to tell us of any concerns regarding our compliance with the Nestlé Policy or the national legislation on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes through our compliance reporting system. Here are our responses to concerns raised directly with us through official mail.

Other responses to stakeholder concerns

4 Apr 2018 Nestlé response to P. Gertler’s working paper (pdf, 500Kb)
23 Feb 2018 Nestlé response to Save the Children report (pdf, 300Kb)
6 Feb 2018 Nestlé response to Changing The Markets Foundation report (pdf, 350Kb)
14 Oct 2014 Nestlé’s response to Baby Milk Action’s concerns (pdf, 300Kb)
2 Apr 2014 Nestlé’s response to Baby Milk Action’s concerns (pdf, 117Kb)
8 Aug 2013 Nestlé’s response to Baby Milk Action’s concerns regarding Wyeth Nutrition’s marketing practices in the UK (pdf, 90Kb)
6 May 2013 Nestlé on Save the Children UK report 'Superfood for Babies' and petition (pdf, 17Kb)
10 Dec 2012 Nestlé and Bear Brand sweetened beverage creamer (pdf, 88Kb)
25 Jun 2012 Nestlé responds to Baby Milk Action concerning Wyeth's marketing practices (pdf, 58Kb)
24 Apr 2012 Nestlé's response to the court case on labelling in India (pdf, 45Kb)
29 Nov 2011 Nestlé publishes results of external audit in Laos (pdf, 94Kb)
29 Nov 2011 Nestlé responds to allegations of non-compliance with the WHO Code in Armenia (pdf, 56Kb)
7 Jul 2011 Nestlé investigates allegations by NGOs in Laos (pdf, 52Kb)
10 Nov 2009 Nestlé investigates allegations of non-compliance with WHO Code (pdf, 52Kb)
23 Sep 2009 Campaign for ethical marketing (pdf, 163Kb)
24 Jul 2007 Nestlé supports Philippines' revision of Milk Code (pdf, 101Kb)
9 Jul 2007 Nestlé Philippines stands apart by supporting revision of Milk Code (pdf, 58Kb)