Briefing Paper on the Ethical Issues Concerning the Marketing of Breast - Milk Substitutes, and Other Ethical Issues Relating to Nestlé
Briefing Paper on the Ethical Issues Concerning the Marketing of Breast - Milk Substitutes, and Other Ethical Issues Relating to Nestlé
Introduction
This briefing paper has been produced by the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church (CFB). It attempts to set out the ethical issues, not to reach conclusions. Where any opinions appear to be given they should not be viewed as representing CFB policy. Similarly, they should not be considered as representative of the views of the Methodist Church in general or the Public Life and Social Justice team in particular.
The paper constitutes the initial stage of a consultation process designed to enable the Methodist Church through its Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment (JACEI) to assess the ethical suitability of Nestlé as a potential investment, and to advise the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church accordingly. The consultation will pay particular attention to Nestlé’s performance with respect to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Other aspects of Nestlé’s business will also be considered in arriving at a conclusion.
Contents
The structure of this paper is as follows:
1. Review of Key Ethical Issues Concerning Breast-Milk Substitutes 2. Nestlé Policy on Infant Formula Marketing 3. Criticisms Raised by Baby Milk Action 4. FTSE4Good’s Criteria on Infant Formula Marketing 5. The Methodist Church’s Position on Breast-Milk Substitutes 6. Other Ethical Issues Relating to Nestlé
1. Review of Key Issues Relating to Breast-milk Substitutes
1.1 Definitions The major ethical concern regarding Nestlé relates to the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, as described in the International Code of Breast-Milk Substitutes. These concerns essentially refer to milk-based substitutes, although Article 2 of the Code states: “The Code applies to the marketing, and practices related thereto, of the following products: breastmilk
Introduction
This briefing paper has been produced by the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church (CFB). It attempts to set out the ethical issues, not to reach conclusions. Where any opinions appear to be given they should not be viewed as representing CFB policy. Similarly, they should not be considered as representative of the views of the Methodist Church in general or the Public Life and Social Justice team in particular.
The paper constitutes the initial stage of a consultation process designed to enable the Methodist Church through its Joint Advisory Committee on the Ethics of Investment (JACEI) to assess the ethical suitability of Nestlé as a potential investment, and to advise the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church accordingly. The consultation will pay particular attention to Nestlé’s performance with respect to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. Other aspects of Nestlé’s business will also be considered in arriving at a conclusion.
Contents
The structure of this paper is as follows:
1. Review of Key Ethical Issues Concerning Breast-Milk Substitutes 2. Nestlé Policy on Infant Formula Marketing 3. Criticisms Raised by Baby Milk Action 4. FTSE4Good’s Criteria on Infant Formula Marketing 5. The Methodist Church’s Position on Breast-Milk Substitutes 6. Other Ethical Issues Relating to Nestlé
1. Review of Key Issues Relating to Breast-milk Substitutes
1.1 Definitions The major ethical concern regarding Nestlé relates to the marketing of breast-milk substitutes, as described in the International Code of Breast-Milk Substitutes. These concerns essentially refer to milk-based substitutes, although Article 2 of the Code states: “The Code applies to the marketing, and practices related thereto, of the following products: breastmilk