The Nestle Milk Scandal- Is it WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE?

Inadequate water and sanitation access is gendered, with the impacts disproportionately making it harder for women and girls to lead safe, productive, healthy lifestyles. As a female myself, this is something that I wanted to write about in my blogs, however, when I stumbled upon the Nestle Milk Scandal I was shocked that it wasn't something I had heard about. I therefore want to share what I found for others who may not have heard, whilst trying to answer the question of what should be done about it. 

Figure 1: Nestle advertising used in Africa

In the 1970's, Nestle was the first major formal milk manufacturer to enter the Global South, marketing its formula milk as an alternative to breastfeeding. In Nigeria, the uptake was large, with 70% of babies being exclusively formula fed, when they used to be breastfed up until the age of 4 (Muller 1974). The marketing of western babies on billboards who were, “Strong and Fat,” encouraged mothers to buy breast milk formula in the hope that their babies would become strong and fat too (Figure 1). These trends were specifically noticeable in urban areas, where the marketing of formula milk was strongest. 

 

As blog 2 highlighted, the urban poor live in overcrowded areas, with many of which have inadequate access to water and sanitation. Despite the uptake of formula milk, the sanitary conditions did not align with what Nestle recommended. The Nestle bottle stated, “Wash your hands thoroughly with soap each time you have to prepare a meal for baby,” yet 67% of those in Malawi’s capital have no washing facilities at all. They also stated, “Place bottle and lid in a saucepan of water with sufficient water to cover them. Bring to them boil and allow to boil for 10 minutes.”  60% of those in Malawi have no indoor kitchen and the majority of slum dwellers do not have access to an electric stove. Aside from the impossibility of the instructions, low maternal education in Africa meant that many mothers were illiterate. 

It does not take an expert to realise that this is not a recipe for formula milk, but instead a recipe for disaster. 

"In Nigeria, the cost of feeding a 3-month-old infant is approximately 30% of the minimum urban wage. By the time that infant is 6 months, the cost will have risen to 47%". The cost of formula milk meant that poor mothers were stretching the milk that they had to make it last longer, with doctors estimating that it was being diluted with three times as much water as it should be. Each baby can only drink a certain amount of liquid each day, meaning that babies were in a protein and calorie deficit. Kwashiorkor (An acute protein deficiency in babies that leads to death by starvation) became a problem in Africa in this period. In a study conducted by Anttila-Hughes et al, 2018, they estimated that there were 65, 676 infant deaths in the year 1981, which could have been avoided had mothers breastfed. 

Figure 2: "A dangerous trend" by S.Porter 

What is particularly, "Egregious" is that once mothers begin using formula milk, prolactin is released, which stops milk production. Mothers are then tied into using formula milk as they had no other option. The irony is that breast milk is the most sanitary of foods. It does not require mixing, warming, or sterilising, and it is always available from non-breakable containers. In addition to this, breast milk is also designed to protect babies from infection as the initial colostrum in breastmilk provides natural immunity. Breast milk also acts as a natural contraceptive for mothers ensuring that mothers can have a  break in between having children. The benefits of breast feeding to both mother and child are extensive, yet this was not the story that these mothers were sold. 

 

Whilst this blog shows the lethal consequences of inadequate access to water and sanitation, it also shows the arguably more lethal consequences of Western marketisation in Africa.

Whilst there is now be a code for marketing breast milk substitutes, I find it shocking that Nestle has managed to retain its position on the market, and that this tragedy is not more widely spoken about.  Whilst I very much doubt that my own personal boycott will change anything, I hope that anyone reading this considers there purchasing power as a consumer.