The transnational company Nestle promotes itself as a caring, nurturing organisation. the company symbol is a mother bird feeding its babies in the nest. In Nestles 1993 Annual Report it says "The symbol simultaneously evokes security, maternity and affection, nature and nourishment, family and tradition. Today it is the central element in Nestle's corporate identity."
Despite these fine words Nestle has consistently given free samples of breastmilk substitutes to maternity clinics in developing countries, and offered gifts and cash to community based health workers and nurses, as incentives to them to sell discounted baby formula. In 1974 an international boycott of Nestle was launched but was called off in 1984 when Nestle gave assurances it would stop these practices which contravened the WHO code.
The International Baby Food Action Network Publication "Breaking the Rules 1994" details 229 cases in which Nestle continues to promote its products unethically. The boycott has been reintroduced world-wide, although we have heard little about it in Aotearoa New Zealand because there is no action group here.
Although Nescafe is the main target of the boycott, all Nestle products are covered. Here is a list of some sold in this country.
Beverages: Nescafe, International Roast, Caro, Milo, Perrier mineral waters.
Confectionary: Kitkat, Smarties, Rolo, Quality Street, Mackintosh's toffees, Milky Bar, After Eight, Black Knight Licorice, Pixie Caramel, Chokito, Nutroll, Regina confectionary, Allen's confectionary, Nutroll, Nutoata bars, Canterbury Oaty bars, L ifesavers.
Processed food: Maggi products, Findus frozen food, including Lean Cuisine, Buitoni pasta and sauces, Nanda pasta, Crosse & Blackwell relishes/pickles, Yoplait, Highlander condensed milk.
Cooking products: Nestlé baking cocoa, Nestlé cooking chocolate, Chocolate Melts, Choc Bits, Milk Melts, Highlander condensed milk, Reduced Cream, Quick Custard Mix.
Pet food: Friskies, Go Cat, Cat Meow, Fancy Feast, Tux, Trusty.
Supermarket own-name brands: No Frills Muesli bars, Pams Condensed Milk.
Further information, and links to overseas sites can be found on the Nestle Boycott Information page.
General ideas on ethical shopping, some of the
decisions required when trying to shop ethically
can be found on the next page.
Shopper's Guide No. 2 - Sports Shoes
Shoppers Guide is a guide to ethical shopping. For further information contact:
The electronic version of Shoppers Guide has been taken directly from the paper version, with the permission of Pat Scott. For further information on the electronic version contact Stuart Sontier
Transnationals like Nestle control more than 80% of the world's trade in coffee. This means small growers get very little for their crop.
Trade Aid chooses to trade with producer groups that work co-operatively. Producers get a price for their goods that they decide is fair.
Trade Aid's aim is to improve the group income so that the profits can be used in whatever way the local producers believe will improve their lives. In this way small communities are helped to combat poverty and gain economic independence .
By choosing fairly traded goods we can lessen the impact of global policies that profit from poverty.
Trade Aid also have tea from India and Tanzania.
Write to Trade Aid:
Box 35 049There are also 5 Trade Aid shops in Auckland :
177 Karangahape Road
9A Hurstmere Road
55 Saint George Street
58 Picton Street
17/160 Broadway