Nestlé’s controversial bestseller

Swiss food giant Nestlé is marking its 150th birthday this year. Reason to celebrate? The Nestlé baby milk scandal has over the decades kept the multinational in the negative spotlight. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)

Nestlé’s infant formula was developed in the 1800s and went on to become a huge success. But in the 1970s it was the reason the company came under attack.

The formula was said to cause infant illness, even death. An international campaign to boycott Nestlé was launched. 

A Swiss group joined the campaign, going even further by accusing Nestlé directly of killing babies. A Swiss court found that this was libelous, but the damage to Nestlés reputation had been done, and the boycotts spread.