Erm, MNHQ, Change4Life are Nestle partners...

[CeliaBowen]

...I thought MN was a Nestle free zone?

See Here

[IScreamForIceCream]

Yes, they partner with Nestle... But they also partner with a lot of other big and small companies.

How far would you take the boycott? Would you perfer that MN did not work with retailers who stock Nestle products?

What about companies who use the same suppliers?

Or companies who may own stocks and shares in Nestle?

[CeliaBowen]

When Change4Life handed out leaflets to every child at my DC's school, they were littered with poor advice (e.g. drink sugar-free fizzy drinks etc) and it was revealed that Nestle had had a hand in producing the "advice". Who makes those sugar free fizzy drinks etc?

I am very skeptical of Change4Life for this reason, and was a bit surprised, given their known association with Nestle, to see the banner on MN. Just wondered if MNHQ had a comment, is all.

In our house, we boycott Nestle and that does include as far as possible their subsidiary companies and ones in which they are shareholders, yes. They are a despicable company (granted, not the only despicable company in the world) but my pennies will not be lining their pockets as far as I can help it.

[JazzAnnNonMouse]

I agree with you -change4life gives shit advice and nestle are total bastards.

[CeliaBowen]

Bump

[ilovemonstersInc]

Why are we boycotting again?

[CeliaBowen]

The short answer ilovemonstersinc is unscrupulous marketing practices in the developing world, which leave babies and children (and others, tbh) at serious health risk.

There is a lot of information here

[CeliaBowen]

I know this is old news (literally!) but this article came to my attention today, too...

[RowanMumsnet]

Sorry, we're not ignoring you - we'll be back with a proper response soon.

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi folks,
We generally follow the rule regarding Nestle of boycotting products which either they are majority owners of, or which carry the name of the brand - eg nescafe. They do seem to be a kind of headline sponsor of Change4Life, however, so we can see your point that it doesn't quite feel right, and will be a little bit more reticent in future.

Thanks very much for the input.

[teaandthorazine]

Change4life is absolutely shit anyway MN, Nestle or no Nestle.

Low-fat margarine and sugar-free fizzy drinks for a healthy lifestyle? Come on! Why are you giving this crap the time of day?

[JustineMumsnet]

@teaandthorazine

Change4life is absolutely shit anyway MN, Nestle or no Nestle.

Low-fat margarine and sugar-free fizzy drinks for a healthy lifestyle? Come on! Why are you giving this crap the time of day?

Well I guess a more salient question is why is the government funding this if it's so shit. Maybe we should have them on for a webchat...

[RandomDiva]

Yes please, that would be fun.

[teaandthorazine]

Well, that would be bloody great, Justine

[JustineMumsnet]

Will make some enquiries and revert.

[IScreamForIceCream]

The thing is, Change4life is not about educating the educated, or making the healthier yet more so, is it? It's about helping those who have the worst diets make easy choices/swaps to have a slightly healthier lifestyle.

So swapping sugary fizzy drink for a diet one would be healthier in the main, as obesity and tooth decay is a bigger more known issue for the UK than are sweeteners, etc.

[CeliaBowen]

Ooh, thanks for coming back on this.

Yes, I think they need to answer some questions about this "education" programme... webchat would be fab!