Letter: Breast is best

IN PETER Koenig's article "Mr Nestle gets angry" (Business, 9 May) Peter Brabeck, chief executive of Nestle, appears to discuss everything except Nestle's performance regarding the marketing of breast-milk substitutes in the developing world.

According to the World Health Organisation, 1.5 million babies die every year as a result of not being breast-fed. Nevertheless, Nestle, which controls 40 per cent of the baby-milk market, continues to promote artificial feeding. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes was introduced in 1981 to protect all mothers and babies from inappropriate company marketing practices. Evidence has consistently revealed Nestle to be systematically breaking the code, while claiming to market infant formula ethically. This claim was discredited recently when the Advertising Standards Authority upheld three complaints brought against Nestle by Baby Milk Action.

MIKE AARONSON

Save the Children (UK)

London SE5