Nestlè answers
1. Set out the main ethical criticisms of Nestlé marketing of infant formula. Which consumer rights are these practices failing to respect?
The main ethical criticism of Nestlé, in my opinion are four:
Commercializing its product, Nestlé was not abiding the rules imposed by the WHO code;
Nestlé, during its marketing operations, is not assumed the moral responsibility for infant mortality caused by low intake of enzymes derived from breast milk;
Nestlé promoted aggressively its products, ignoring the benefits of breastfeeding;
Nestlé, with its advertisement, thanks to the illiteracy of poor people, has neglected the value of breastfeeding.
I think that these practices are failing to respect several consumer right such as the right to safety (consumers must be protected against dangers in products), the right to be informed (consumers has the right to be given all the information they require about a product or service), the right to consumer education (consumer have the right to demand education in consumers affairs) and the right to satisfaction of basic needs (consumers have the right to basic goods and services which guarantee survival).
2. Many of the criticisms of Nestlé’s practices stem from the argument that consumers in the developing world are “vulnerable”. To what extent is this a valid argument?
I think that this is absolutely true. In developing countries people, especially the poorest people, are more vulnerable than the others because they don’t have an education in consumer’s affairs. In fact, one of the greatest plagues of the countries in the developing world is rampant illiteracy. Nestlé, and a lot of multinational company, take advantages by this fact and make the consumer an easy prey to hunt.
3. What are the argument for and against continuing the nestle boycott from the point of view of consumers seeking to enhance the well-being of mothers and babies in the developing world? What is the implication does your answer have
The main ethical criticism of Nestlé, in my opinion are four:
Commercializing its product, Nestlé was not abiding the rules imposed by the WHO code;
Nestlé, during its marketing operations, is not assumed the moral responsibility for infant mortality caused by low intake of enzymes derived from breast milk;
Nestlé promoted aggressively its products, ignoring the benefits of breastfeeding;
Nestlé, with its advertisement, thanks to the illiteracy of poor people, has neglected the value of breastfeeding.
I think that these practices are failing to respect several consumer right such as the right to safety (consumers must be protected against dangers in products), the right to be informed (consumers has the right to be given all the information they require about a product or service), the right to consumer education (consumer have the right to demand education in consumers affairs) and the right to satisfaction of basic needs (consumers have the right to basic goods and services which guarantee survival).
2. Many of the criticisms of Nestlé’s practices stem from the argument that consumers in the developing world are “vulnerable”. To what extent is this a valid argument?
I think that this is absolutely true. In developing countries people, especially the poorest people, are more vulnerable than the others because they don’t have an education in consumer’s affairs. In fact, one of the greatest plagues of the countries in the developing world is rampant illiteracy. Nestlé, and a lot of multinational company, take advantages by this fact and make the consumer an easy prey to hunt.
3. What are the argument for and against continuing the nestle boycott from the point of view of consumers seeking to enhance the well-being of mothers and babies in the developing world? What is the implication does your answer have