Nestle Boycott: A History of Consumer Action

The Nestle boycott has been a long-standing movement, dating back to the 1970s. In 1977, a group of activists in the United States discovered that Nestle was using infant formula as a marketing tool in developing countries, leading to the deaths of thousands of babies.

This discovery sparked widespread outrage and led to the formation of the International Nestle Boycott. The boycott aimed to pressure Nestle into changing its marketing practices and improving its corporate responsibility.

The boycott gained momentum in the 1980s, with thousands of people participating across the globe. In 1984, Nestle finally agreed to change its marketing practices, but the boycott continued to pressure the company on issues like child labor and environmental sustainability.

The Nestle boycott is a testament to the power of consumer action, showing that individuals can come together to demand change from large corporations.

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The 1980s and 1990s saw a significant escalation of the boycott against Nestlé. In 1981, the World Health Assembly adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, which banned the promotion of breast milk substitutes and limited manufacturing companies to providing scientific and factual information to health workers.

The US voted against the adoption of the Code, but Nestlé eventually agreed to create an independent agency, the Nestlé Infant Formula Audit Commission (IFAC), and sign an agreement to fully implement the Code in 1984.

A second phase of the boycott started in 1988, as IBFAN alleged that formula companies were flooding health facilities in the developing world with free and low-cost supplies.

In 1981, the 34th World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA34.22, which included the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

The Code banned the promotion of breast milk substitutes and gave health workers the responsibility for advising parents.

Manufacturing companies were limited to providing scientific and factual information to health workers, and labeling requirements were set forth.

The US voted against the adoption of the Code.

In 1984, Nestlé agreed to create an independent agency, the Nestlé Infant Formula Audit Commission (IFAC), and sign an agreement to fully implement the Code.

The boycott was officially suspended.

However, a second phase of the boycott started in 1988, as IBFAN alleged that formula companies were flooding health facilities in the developing world with free and low-cost supplies.

The boycott was relaunched the following year.

In May 1999, the UK Advertising Standards Authority issued a ruling against Nestlé, finding that they couldn't support claims of marketing infant formula "ethically and responsibly".

The boycott of Nestlé products starts on Friday, March 21 and ends on March 28. This is the specific timeframe for participants to avoid purchasing a wide range of Nestlé products.

The boycott involves more than just one or two products, but rather a slew of items, including pet food, chocolate, cereal, and frozen pizza.

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Activists are boycotting Nestlé due to its history of controversial practices. The company has been accused of using child labor in cocoa production, with a 2019 investigative report linking Nestlé to farms that employ children.

Nestlé has also faced scrutiny over alleged labor law violations, water privatization concerns, and environmental violations. The company's bottled water operations have been criticized for extracting large amounts of groundwater from drought-affected areas.

The company's practices have sparked controversy and debate around environmental and human rights issues. A report detailed how Nestlé's privatization of local water has sparked controversy, stirring debate around environmental and human rights issues.

Here are some of the specific allegations against Nestlé:

Boycotts are often a last resort for those who feel a company's practices are unacceptable. Nestlé is one such company.

The company has been accused of using child labor in cocoa production, with reports linking them to farms using child labor as far back as 2019. This is a serious issue that deserves attention.

Activists have also pointed to Nestlé's history of promoting infant formula over breastfeeding in developing countries. This practice can lead to health problems and deaths among infants. In 2007, groups including the International Baby Food Action Network and Save the Children issued reports highlighting the risks.

Nestlé's actions have been justified by the company, with claims that they are respecting freedom of consumer choice. However, advocacy groups have accused them of using unethical methods to promote their products.

The company has also been accused of environmental violations, such as extracting large amounts of groundwater from drought-affected areas. This has sparked controversy around privatization and depletion of public water resources.

Here are some specific allegations against Nestlé:

These allegations have led to a boycott of Nestlé, with activists seeking to financially pressure the company to change their practices.

Nestlé has a significant presence in the prepared meal market, with several well-known brands under its umbrella.

DiGiorno, a popular frozen pizza brand, is one of them.

Garden Gourmet and Harvest Gourmet meals are also part of Nestlé's portfolio, offering a range of options for consumers.

Hot Pockets snacks, a convenient and portable food option, is another brand owned by Nestlé.

Lean Cuisine and Life Cuisine meals, which cater to different dietary needs, are also under Nestlé's ownership.

Stouffer's frozen meals, a classic comfort food brand, rounds out the list of Nestlé's prepared meal brands.

Here are some of the major prepared meal brands owned by Nestlé:

Nestlé's boycott is ongoing as of 2025, with the company stating it follows the WHO Code and updates its marketing policy annually.

The company claims to support breastfeeding and protect mothers from inappropriate marketing practices, but critics continue to accuse Nestlé of malpractice.

In 2020, 136 WHO member states had established some legal measures related to the Code, but few fully reflect its guidelines, highlighting a gap in many countries' legislation.

Nestlé's whistleblower scheme is in place, but the company's actions have been called into question, particularly in 2024 when it was criticized for adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products in certain countries.

The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) continues to push for the implementation of the marketing of breast-milk substitutes Code, with over 270 groups in 160 countries advocating for change.

In November 2000, the European Parliament invited IBFAN, UNICEF, and Nestlé to present evidence to a public hearing, but Nestlé declined, claiming scheduling conflicts.

Nestlé has consistently claimed to be in full compliance with the International Code, despite allegations to the contrary.

In 2001, Nestlé's CEO at the time, Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, stated that the company carries out annual audits on WHO Code compliance and investigates substantiated claims of non-compliance.

However, many allegations against Nestlé remain unsubstantiated, outdated, or use IBFAN's non-standard interpretation of the Code.

In May 2011, nineteen leading NGOs in the Asia-Pacific region launched a boycott of Nestlé, criticizing the company's lack of labelling in Laos and provision of incentives to doctors and nurses to promote infant formula.

Nestlé commissioned an independent audit of its marketing practices in Laos, which found that 4% of retail outlets visited had promotional materials that violated either the Lao PDR Decree or the WHO Code.

A 2018 study estimated that 10,870,000 infants died between 1960 and 2015 as a result of using Nestlé baby formula in low and middle-income countries without clean water sources.

As of 2025, the boycott against Nestlé is ongoing, with the company stating on its website that it follows the WHO Code as implemented by national governments everywhere in the world.

Nestlé has updated its marketing policy and reports on compliance on an annual basis, and has even set up a whistleblower scheme to ensure accountability.

The company claims to be committed to not interfering with mothers' desire to breastfeed and to protecting them from inappropriate marketing practices by actively supporting breastfeeding.

However, critics continue to accuse Nestlé of malpractice, indicating that the company's actions don't always align with its stated goals.

A total of 136 WHO member states had established some legal measures related to the Code by 2020, but few of these measures fully reflect the Code.

This gap in legislation is a concern, as it can leave infants vulnerable to the negative impacts of aggressive marketing practices.

The international network IBFAN continues to push for the implementation of the marketing of breast-milk substitutes Code and relevant resolutions, with over 270 groups in more than 160 countries involved.

In 2024, Nestlé faced a new controversy when it was criticized for adding sugar and honey to infant milk and cereal products in certain countries.

Nestlé produces a wide range of products, from coffee and water to chocolate and pet food. One of the company's most well-known brands is Nescafé coffee, which is part of a larger portfolio that includes Nespresso coffee and Starbucks Coffee at Home coffee.

Nestlé also owns a number of water brands, including Acqua Panna mineral water, Buxton British mineral water, and Nestlé Pure Life water. The company's beverage portfolio also includes bottled water brands like Erikli water, Essentia water, and Henniez mineral water.

The company's chocolate brands include KitKat and several other brands, such as Aero chocolate bars, Baci Perugina chocolate-hazelnut candies, and Milkybar chocolate. Nestlé also owns a number of other brands, including Carnation, Coffee-Mate, and Nesquik.

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Here's a list of some of the many products owned by Nestlé:

Nestlé also owns a number of prepared meal brands, including DiGiorno frozen pizza, Lean Cuisine meals, and Stouffer's frozen meals.

The Nestlé boycott has garnered attention from various media outlets, including the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The boycott aligns with other planned economic protests, such as a 40-day "Target Fast" led by faith-based organizations and a Walmart boycott scheduled for April.

Research suggests that boycotts may have minimal long-term financial effects. A study by Anna Tuchman found that buycotts, or movements to counter boycotts by encouraging purchases, often negate the financial impact of a boycott.

Nestlé has not issued a public response regarding the boycott, leaving its potential impact uncertain.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that the Nestlé boycott aligns with other planned economic protests, including a 40-day "Target Fast" led by faith-based organizations and a Walmart boycott scheduled for April.

Boycotts have had short-term success, but research suggests their long-term financial effects are often minimal. A study by Anna Tuchman found that buycotts—movements to counter boycotts by encouraging purchases—often negate the financial impact of a boycott.

A study by Tuchman and her coauthors found that the buycott effect swamped the boycott action, and sales actually increased. However, the impact evaporated in just a few weeks.

Nestlé has not issued a public response regarding the boycott. Whether this movement will cause any noticeable financial or reputational impact remains to be seen.

The media has played a significant role in highlighting the controversies surrounding Nestlé's baby milk practices. Mark Thomas, a British comedian, investigated the boycott and Nestlé's practices concerning baby milk in an episode of his TV show in 1999.

He received a tin of baby milk from Mozambique, which came with instructions only in English, despite the country recognizing 33 languages and dialects. This raised questions about the company's consideration for local languages and cultures.

In 2001, comedian Robert Newman and actress Emma Thompson called for a boycott of the Perrier Comedy Award, which was owned by Nestlé. This sparked an alternative competition called the Tap Water Awards the following year.

Authors Germaine Greer and Jim Crace withdrew from the Hay Festival in 2002 in protest over Nestlé's sponsorship of the event. This was a notable example of public figures taking a stand against the company's practices.

A 2007 article in The Guardian highlighted aggressive marketing practices by Nestlé in Bangladesh. This raised concerns about the company's business tactics in developing countries.

The 2014 film Tigers is based on the 1997 Pakistan Nestle infant formula controversy. This film brought attention to the issue and sparked further discussions about the company's practices.