The boycott against Nestle emanated from concerns about Nestlé’s aggressive marketing of breast milk substitutes. The boycott spurred a flurry of supporters from various NGOs in the US and then swiftly spread to several NGOs in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Europe. However, the initial backlash from Nestlé’s so-called “irresponsible marketing” started with launch of the boycott in Minneapolis by the Infant Formula Action Group (INFACT).  INFACT announced a consumer boycott against all Nestle products in the U.S. on July 4, 1977, to protest the marketing of infant formula in third world countries(Baby Milk Action). Joined by other organizations such as Interfaith Center of Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) and the International Baby Food Network (IBFAN), the Nestle boycott set in motion a series of events that dramatically changed the face of the company forever.

The NGOs involvement with the boycott were so successful in their intensive campaigning that it resulted in achieving two strategic victories: they were able to convince US Senator Edward Kennedy to hold a hearing on the issue and persuaded the World Health Organization to institutionalize an international code on of marketing on infant formula. The code explained how baby formula should be promoted worldwide and prohibited companies from unethical practices such as promoting products in hospitals, giving free samples to mothers, and disseminating misleading information (Krasney).

Sources

Baby Milk Action. “History of the Campaign.” Baby Milk Action. International Baby Food Action Network, 30 Nov. 2008. Web. 14 Apr. 2012.

Krasny, Jill. “Every Parent Should Know The Scandalous History Of Infant    Formula.”Businessinsider.com. Business Insider, 25 June 2012. Web. 14 Apr. 2013

http://www.nestle.com/aboutus/history

http://www.babymilkaction.org/pages/history.html

http://www.businessinsider.com/nestles-infant-formula-scandal-2012-6?op=1

http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jibs/journal/v25/n3/pdf/jibs199441a.pdf