Healthy Skepticism Library item: 14953

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Stieger R.
Coffee creamer as infant food: Nestlé’s works to ensure appropriate use of milk products
BMJ. 2009 Jan 21; 338:
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/338/jan21_1/b196

Abstract:

Nestlé is very concerned that mothers in poor countries feed infants with inappropriate breast milk substitutes.

The immediate issue raised by Barennes and colleagues about Bear Brand beverage creamer in Laos1 has been resolved as Nestlé stopped its distribution, and stopped an independent company which had licensed the brand from producing it, in February 2008.

Nestlé recognises that Barennes and colleagues raise legitimate questions, and is in the process of re-evaluating the Bear Brand for milk products and studying how to prevent any confusion with infant formula.

In the developing world Nestlé puts on all coffee creamers and other milk products that are inappropriate for infant feeding a statement: “This product is not to be used as a breast milk substitute” or “Not appropriate for infant feeding.”

Additionally, in 2002 Nestlé introduced a pictogram on Bear Brand beverage creamer in Laos-a bottle crossed out with a large red cross to . . .