Response regarding the Philippines
Allegations related to Nestlé interfering with the Philippines regulations.
June 2007
It is important to clarify that Nestlé has nothing to do with the actions taken by the US Chamber of Commerce and certain pharmaceutical companies to oppose the revised Implementing Rules and Regulations for the marketing of infant foods that was introduced by the Philippines Department of Health in July 2006.
Instead Nestlé Philippines has, from the onset of the consultation process conducted by the Department of Health, expressed in writing its opinion that the regulations governing the marketing of breast milk substitutes in the Philippines should be revised and their implementation made more effective.
We are in agreement with the proposed prohibition of advertising of follow up formula and of other products for children up to two years of age if they bear the same brand as an infant formula.
Nestlé is the only company in the Philippines that has never advertised growing up milks bearing the same brand as one of our infant formula, even if this was allowed by the Milk Code.
Regarding the Philippines Congress’ initiatives, Nestlé is in no way opposing the Congress’ attempt at revising the Milk Code. In actual fact the Congress is currently examining four different draft bills submitted by various Congressmen on this very topic. We believe the Congress should be left to pursue this democratic debate about what policies could best serve the public health interest at stake.
