In “Food Politics” you talk about Nestle producing baby’s milk in the early days and the worry in countries like Africa that those who have HIV can transmit the disease through breastfeeding. I recently watched the new movie “Precious”. I hope I’m not spoiling the movie but in the movie a girl has a baby that’s a few months old then she finds out she has HIV, and has had the whole time. She says something about trying to switch to formula to continue feeding her baby.

In the book you mentioned the studies weren’t quite conclusive that breastfeeding can pass on the HIV virus. Do you have an update on this?

Thanks

First, ‘new innovations’ to create new products – what does that mean? Fruit and vegetables don’t need new innovations, they just need water and sunshine. Sounds like more processed foods on the way.

Second, they are going to spend more on marketing the existing and new processed rubish. Great. We should have an annual cap on ad spend for non-natural foods. What this guy says is that the more you buy from us, the more money we get to spend on marketing so you buy even more from us next year.

I don’t think there is any “right path in terms of CSR for companies whose sole purpose is decidedly profit over anything else”. The fact that the “sole purpose is decidedly profit over anything else” pretty much says everything.

Consumers should not demand CSR from companies. I say, rather than buying crap from these companies, and then wishing those companies would be more reponsible; why not just stop buying crap from the companies in the first place?

Nestle has done SO much more harm than good and uses unethical practices. Not sure if they have this in the U.S. but in Canada they have used a heart-check look-alike symbol on their candy bars. That’s some shady marketing.

I am just wondering- and not trying to be glib- what the alternative is? I agree there is an oxymoronic quality to CSR, but on the other hand, it’s heartening that consumers and shareholders desire CSR enough that companies are compelled to make changes. I think this is a move in the right direction. Especially since food companies will continue to make and sell bottled water and junk food as long as consumers are buying (oh, and HOW!).

I just would love to hear what you think is the right path in terms of CSR for companies whose sole purpose is decidedly profit over anything else.

Best,
Biz