Issued by Department of Health
16 August 2005
The Department of Health held a meeting with the representatives of Nestle in Pretoria today to discuss the challenges in the supply of infant formula for the Government's nutritional support programme.
Nestle reported that there were internal challenges that has impacted negatively on the company's output, limiting the supplies to both the public and private health sector as well as the retail industry since January this year.
Nestle is the sole supplier of the infant formula, Nan Pelargon, provided by Government free of charge to infants in need of nutritional support. This includes babies born to HIV positive mothers and have chosen to use a formula for infant feeding.
The company reported that there were a number of contributory factors leading to the shortfall in the supply of various Nestle products in the country since early this year and these challenges were being addressed. Nestle promised that the supply of infant formula will improve over the coming weeks.
The Department of Health expects the company to immediately comply with the conditions of the tender which, amongst other things, stipulates that Nestle must adhere to the delivery periods and quantities ordered. The Department of Health will provide detailed projections of the demand for the formula in public health sector to enable Nestle to plan accordingly.
Nestle will within two weeks provide a comprehensive report to the Department on the progress in addressing the challenges in the supply of infant formula in both public and private sector. The Department will respond accordingly to this report to ensure that this matter is settled and there is certainty in the supply of infant formula for both the Government programmes and the retail industry in general.
Contact: Sibani Mngadi 0827720161