Nestle Canada Inc. announces five products will no longer be safe,Kit Kat, Aero, ...

We must rally and take action on this immediately...make them reverse their decision to produce chocolates with nuts.
Email them at [url="http://www.nestle.ca/english/utilities/contact.html"]http://www.nestle.ca/english/utilities/contact.html[/url]
Voice your opposition to this asap!

Here is a copy of the e-mail I just sent to Nestle. Redtruck, I truly believe you should post your e-mail also and I believe Katiee should be urged to post her whole article she wrote to-day regarding this situation.

Here goes:-

I am a 42 yr old woman. I cannot tell you what joy I had, as a child, eating Smarties. We all knew how to make fake lipstick with the red Smarties. We would line the Smarties up according to colour. We all had our favourite colours. When you eat your Smarties do you eat the red ones last? Do you suck them very slowly or crunch them very fast? Eat their candy coated chocolate and please tell me when I ask, when you eat your Smarties do you eat the red ones last? How many Canadian children actually did eat the red ones last? Through the years, I grew to love Coffee Crisp, in particular and Aero bars. Very rarely did I feel the need to have a chocolate bar that had peanuts in it. I am now the Mother of a 5 year old son with a deadly allergy to peanuts. How thrilled I was to learn that Nestle's line of chocolate was "safe" for him to consume. My son could enjoy Smarties as I had when I was a child! I am a member of [url="http://www.peanutallergy.com"]www.peanutallergy.com[/url] We found out that our American friends didn't even know what Smarties were. Plain M & M's are unsafe in the U.S. (and Canada) for peanut allergic individuals to consume. I started the co-ordination of a Canadian family sending Smarties to our American friends so their children could enjoy a good "safe" treat that we had long taken for granted. I just finished mailing a large quantity to a friend in California who was happy to share them with another peanut allergic child. Your economic decision to not maintain your peanut free facility, I think you will find, is not based in true statistics. You maintain that only 1.5% of the Canadian population is affected by a peanut/nut allergy. I beg to differ. Yes, my son is one of the 1.5%. However, because he is deathly allergic and has almost died because of his allergy, our whole family of four cannot consume any products that "may contain". Extended family and friends do not buy these products either. My son is in a "peanut free" classroom at school and the only chocolate that is currently allowed into his classroom is Nestles. That affects 40+ children and the treat they either choose to bring in their lunch or the treats they receive as a group at special occasion parties. I also understand that the decision was based on a survey or study that concluded that most people want to see peanuts/nuts in their chocolate bars. I'm sorry, do they not have enough chocolate bars to choose from already? I have been quite comfortable accepting that Smarties are not "safe" at special occasion time for my son. I have been quite comfortable accepting that Smarties ice cream is not "safe" for my son. However, your decision to-day, I cannot merely sit back and accept. Solely as a parent of a peanut allergic individual I am able to contact many people and ask them to voice their concerns to Nestle and even go so far as to boycott Nestle products. However, as a member of [url="http://www.peanutallergy.com,"]www.peanutallergy.com,[/url] we have an international voice with which to voice our outrage, our deep sense of betrayal, and our feelings that yet another company has completed negated either ourselves or our children. This is something I do not understand when the peanut/nut allergic population is actually growing. I would suggest that no one at Nestle who made this decision even knows remotely a person that is peanut/nut allergic. Have you ever shopped reading every label over and over again and finding that most products you go to buy are "unsafe"?
Have you had to contact manufacturers on a weekly basis to see if their foods are, in fact, "safe" for your child to consume? What will our children be denied now? Smarties. I am angry because I know the joy that Smarties brought me as a child. I am angry because only yesterday when I was in the grocery store with my peanut allergic son, we were going through the chocolate bars and identifying which ones were "safe" and not "safe". Most were not "safe", but my soul, YESTERDAY, he could point out that Nestle chocolate bars and Smarties were "safe". He will no longer be able to do this. His response to me to-day was that when he grows up he is going to make Smarties that are "peanut free". What a brave little soul. I understand that the plant in question is antiquated and could not withstand renovations to separate peanut products from the rest of the facility so that these products could still remain "safe". But why? I'm sorry, but I do not agree that it is consumers wanting MORE peanut products in their chocolate bars. I do not believe that it is not economically viable for you to keep this facility peanut free. I suspect that there is something much larger in this picture that the public is not being made aware of. To top it off, The Anaphylaxis Network of Canada has been working with you for months, asking you for a reversal of your decision. My only wish is that they had come to us, the parents of peanut allergic children, to peanut allergic people, and we would have banded together with them when the decision was first in it's making. How can you ignore what this well respected organization has to say? How can you even ignore an evening newscast I watched this evening where the reporter thought that it was truly sad that a treat such as a chocolate bar, or our beloved Smarties are something that peanut/nut allergic children will NEVER be able to enjoy. I am begging you to re-consider this decision, not simply for my son (as he probably will make "peanut free" Smarties one day), but for all peanut allergic individuals and their families, friends, teammates, and class and school mates. If you do not re-consider your decision, I would be very interested in seeing your sales report for the year ending 2002 to see how adding the "may contain" warning to these wonderful products has actually benefited your sales.
May I suggest that it won't and that you may actually find yourself at a loss.
I would ask you again to re-consider your decision and thank you for your time and consideration.

I did do this directly from the website link provided above, and if I do receive a response, I will post it also.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Just sent my e-mail also. I let them know also that it is not just Canadians who are purchasing these candies. Cindy- mine was a bit( actually quite a bit) shorter than yours! LOL! I thought your e-mail was great!!

Linda

Here's what I wrote:

Dear Sirs:

As an American I am saddened to learn that you will no long produce peanut free chocolates. Living in New York State, I have never purchased any of your products. I am saddened because of the message you are sending. You are sending the message that Nestle Canada values money above anything else. You are saying

I have just e-mailed Netsle as well regarding this very disappointing news. I am hoping that with enough people voicing their opinion we can make them reverse their decision. It is us against the all mighty dollar though so it is not going to be easy!

Tina

I just spoke to the vice-principal at my son's peanut-free school about this issue, and I got a very positive response!

Every month the school spotlights a "Web Site of the Month", so guess who they're going to spotlight in May? NESTLE! The vice-principal is going to ask parents to contact Nestle with their concerns regarding this new policy, in May's newsletter. I am so pleased that they are taking this initiative for us!

If you want to contact peanut-free schools in your area with this issue, perhaps you could print out some info from this web site, including the original Nestle press release, Nestle's web site contact address and toll-free phone #.

I'm also forwarding this info to my sister's allergy-aware school in another city. The vice-principal agreed that this decision impacts more than just the peanut allergic among us - it will directly affect and narrow the "safe snacks" that parents of non-PA children are trying to hard to provide, so our children will stay safe at school. She said it is incredible how careful the parents at my son's school are being - checking labels, etc., so she's sure they will support us in the endeavor.

Good luck everyone!

Here is the letter I typed and sent to my son's peanut-free school. Anyone is welcome to copy it and send it to the peanut-free schools in your area.

~~~~~~
April 20 2001

Dear Ms *****:

As the parent of a child with a severe peanut allergy, I am bringing this matter to your attention. Attached is an article outlining Nestle Canada

Here was their email reply to me today.

..........

Thank you for taking the time to let us know how you feel about Nestl

I got the same e-mail response as Robert.

Linda

I also got the same e-mail response from Nestle. Someone suggested a petition.
I also will be working on this all weekend. Strength in numbers everyone!
Thinking positive,
Tina

I also got the same response from Nestle's as everyone else did.

Cayley's Mom, yesterday when I suggested on the board that we stockpile Smarties and gave the shelf life, it was only because my head had exploded and I was not thinking clearly.
It is not my intention to do this at all and I will be joining a boycott of Nestle products along with many others. Sometimes when my head explodes I do not think rationally immediately and I do hope that most people would recognize that I wouldn't continue to support Nestle's by stockpiling.

Also, in none of the group e-mails I did last night regarding this "issue" did I suggest to any PA parents/people or friends/family that they should stockpile Smarties. If I was of this believe truly, that would certainly have been the appropriate forum in which to do so.

I've already told Jesse that Smarties will be unsafe, and yes, we probably will get some before the label is automatically slapped on, but as soon as the label hits, that's the end of Smarties for us.

I did want to make this clear as I felt my exploded head comment, although I can understand why people may think that some parents would do this, is not something I would do and was just typed out in anger. I'd like that recognized, especially because, like a lot of other people yesterday, I spent the better part of the day and into the wee hours of the morning working on this "issue".

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Cindy - I wasn't even thinking of your comment when I typed my letter, and I had to go back to read through the thread to find out why you thought I aimed this comment at you. Then I found it - I wrote "some groups are recommending stockpiling". If you look at Chris's post in the Alerts Forum, that's exactly what he suggested we do!

Also, it's a knee-jerk reaction - our safe supply is being depleted so the instinct is to hoard. In fact, that's the first thing my DH said when he heard the news - "Better stock up!". It wasn't until later that the realization set in that Nestle really ticked him off, so NO WAY was he going to buy more candy from them.

So, no, my comment wasn't directed at you, and I hope you're not offended! Was that mad face directed at me or Nestle?

What I wouldn't give to know exactly how many e-mails Nestle has received on this issue already... I also love Sue's comment in another thread - S.O.S. "Save Our Smarties" - Sue should be an advertising writer, LOL! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by Cayley's Mom (edited April 20, 2001).]

Dang! Double post!

[This message has been edited by Cayley's Mom (edited April 20, 2001).]

Wow, this really breaks my heart! I know that I do not live in Canada but Morgansmom graciously sent us 3 bags of the Smartie snack size packs at Halloween. They have been our life saver in this house! Whenever we attend a function and we don't feel safe about their desserts or treats we always have a box of Smarties tucked into the diaper bag. I was about to ask again for someone to kindly mail us some Smarties...but now I am in such a daze of frustration and anger that I don't know what to do. How frustrating for those of you Canadians who have taught their children that these candy bars are safe. I will also be writing to them tonight!!!

Cayley's Mom, NO, the angry face was at Nestle for sending me, and everyone else, a form e-mail. This is SO unlike how they just dealt with me two weeks ago re their ice cream.

I had told the rep yesterday on the phone that maybe we should all buy Nestle stock now, stockpile the safe candy, and then dump our stock as soon as the labeling came out.
He didn't find me amusing! LOL!

It would actually be nice if we could get cases of it from Costco so that our children could have "safe" candy for awhile longer.
But again, since I've already told Jesse that Smarties are "unsafe", I don't want to confuse him. This is especially important because he has just started reading food labels. That's why I can't even buy the ones that will be "safe" for the next eight months with the "may contain" label on them. It would involve explaining to Jesse and I really think he took it rather well yesterday so I'm going to leave it be.

Then, of course, once my head had stopped exploding, I recognized that those bugs shouldn't profit by this at all!

Oh, and in speaking with the CSR yesterday, I did ask him about the bottle of Nestle's Nesquik liquid syrup in my 'fridge that I had gotten the telephone number from and if it was "safe" because there is no labeling to indicate otherwise. NO!!!!! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img] [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img]
I believe he said something about it being imported from the U.S. (another company doing this!), but I haven't been able to check the label again to-day.

I actually have walking pneumonia right now so that's why I'm not too active right now, just active enough last night to e-mail as many people as I could and get my stuff done re this.

Also, I believe Katiee posted this somewhere else - her e-mail address. It's also under a thread re Nestle. I urge EVERYONE to contact her! She is working on setting up a website re Nestle, has flyers printed to go to her children's school this week re Nestle and is trying to organize an on-line petition. I strongly urge everyone to contact her.

Steve Kinsley at [url="http://www.nuconnexions.com"]www.nuconnexions.com[/url] has also sent Nestle a wonderful e-mail and has also posted information on his website re Nestle and I believe he provides a link also.
He may even be providing a sample of his e-mail.

You do not know how many people have contacted me within the last two days re this, and most of them American. Everyone is really doing their part on this. I don't know if we're going to be able to get them to change their decision, but, my soul, our voices are going to be heard!

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Hi
I'm sure I'll get a form letter as a response but this is a copy of the email I sent off today ....

April 21, 2001

Nestl

I just received a response from Anaphylaxis Canada. They are preparing their correspondence to Nestle and will be posting it on their website later on today.
[url="http://www.anaphylaxis.org"]www.anaphylaxis.org[/url]

They also suggested our children should also write letters to Nestle. Something personal. My PA son is only three but he can draw a picture of himself eating Smarties and we'll mail it directly to Nestle. My older son non-PA, will write a letter on behalf of his brother.

Tina

I am also very disapointed with Nestle. Just a suggestion to everyone is to send a request to every one on your e-mail address list with Nestle's html and ask that they also fire an e-mail off to Nestle. The more the better. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Just thought I'd share the e-mail I sent to Nestle. (I got the same form letter back, as did everyone else.)

Dear Nestle Canada,
>
>
>Please, please reconsider your decision to no longer produce chocolate candy
>which is safe for the peanut and nut allergic consumers. I am truly begging
>you to realize the impact your decision will have on millions of people,
>both inside and outside of Canada.
>
>
>My six year daughter is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. She was so
>incredibly delighted to receive a package of your safe chocolates in the
>mail, from a Canadian family we had "met" on Peanutallergy.com. My daughter
>has been savoring the candies, and still has some Smarties, Kit kats, and
>aero bars left. She has even stated many times that she would like to move
>to Canada, so that she could buy these safe treats any time, in the grocery
>store.
>
>
>I am just devastated to hear this news. As crazy as it may sound to you, I
>have actually been thinking about how wonderful it would be to take a family
>vacation to Canada. Part of the joy for me would be to know that safe
>chocolates were available for my daughter.
>
>
>Please consider all of the consumers who will no longer purchase your
>products, before you go ahead with this plan.
>
>
>Sincerely, Miriam ******
>Mountain View, California U.S.A.
>
>
>

I spoke with Lois at Nestle (extension 6501) who informed me that she has a peanut allergic daughter and thus could empathize with me regarding Nestle's egregious decision. She advised me to send my correspondence directly to the President of Nestle. His name is Keith Conklin and he may be reached at the Sheppard Avenue West office in North York.

Holy Moly! I've been off line since last Sunday, my daughter has been very very ill with pneumonia, and we could not find an antibiotic that she could tolerate without full body hives. It's been a stressful week and we're not out of the hot water yet although we seem to have just found an antibiotic that she's tolerating. Keeping our fingers crossed. ...but I can't believe this about nestle! Yikes! If I can muster some time away from her I'll get right on it, and send it off to all on my contact list. Please pray for us! ...she's very sick!!

Hi peanutrace, hoping and praying your daughter is feeling better. Keep thinking positive thoughts!
This Nestle issue is all I've been working on this weekend.
Tina

Peanut Trace - I've been rather spotty on the boards myself due to a very crazy week, so I just read about your daughter. Hope she is feeling much better!

*********************************************

Here's my letter to Nestle:

I am deeply saddened by Nestle's decision to change manufacturing processes with regards to peanuts. I am American, and for years I have relied upon Canadian friends to supply my son with Smarties. They were one of just a few candies that he could eat safely, and now they have been taken away from him as well.

I sincerely hope that Nestle will revisit this issue. Until that time, my family will not be consuming ANY Nestle products.

PeanutTrace, you know that every voice that is heard counts. However, given the circumstances with your daughter, I wouldn't worry about this right now. Worry about your daughter and everyone here can take care of the Nestle action.

Please keep us up-to-date about how she's doing, if you can.

My thoughts are with you!

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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[This message has been edited by Cindy Spowart Cook (edited April 23, 2001).]

I have just sent off an e-mail. I hope it helps in some way.

Here is a copy of the e-mail my husband sent, through the [url="http://www.nuconnexions.com"]www.nuconnexions.com[/url] site:

~~~~~
I have to say that I am completely floored by your decision to discontinue Smarties, Aero, Coffee Crisp, etc. as peanut free products. I think the marketing people at Nestle are going to be searching for new employment in a couple of years.

Here's how I see it:

Nestle Canada estimates 1.5% (low) of the population are allergic to peanuts/nut products. This translates to about 500,000 people. A reasonable assumption would be that each Peanut allergic person is directly connected with at least 2 to 5 people which affects what these other people purchase as food products. Therefore, between 1.5 to 2.5 million people are directly affected by peanut allergies. These numbers are only expected to increase in the coming years.

You cannot believe that you will be increasing your consumer base by following through with this hare-brained idea. In fact, I think you will see a decline in sales of your products whether there is an allergy warning or not. The (allergic) public will see this as a stab in the back and many will probably shun all Nestle products. This is BAD consumer relations!
Unless this decision is overturned there will be no more Nestle products in my family's cupboards.

Scott *****
~~~~~~

Here is a direct link to the site, where Steve at nuconnexions recommends, and provides instruction for, copying [email]Chris@PeanutAllergy.com[/email] with your e-mails.

[url="http://www.nuconnexions.com/Allergy/NestleNewsFlash.htm"]http://www.nuconnexions.com/Allergy/NestleNewsFlash.htm[/url]

Here it myy letter to Nestle (which I followed up with a phone call) and their form letter reply!
-----------------------------------------------------
Thank you for taking the time to let us know how you feel about Nestl

Another PA parent sent me this list of Canadian specific Nestle products. I thought it was very interesting because I didn't realize how far spread Nestle was (I know that didn't sound right, but I think you know what I mean). I just thought I would post it here so we all can recognize who we're dealing with.

Chocolates and Candy:

After Eight, Baby Ruth, Bit O Honey, Butterfinger, Chunky Goobers , Alpine
White Chocolate, Nestl

I just wanted to vent since i see that many people do that in here! I am so frustrated with Nestle's decision and have done what I can to let them know my frustration. I have been trying to get my friends to call Nestle and support my quest only no one seems to really care. I get laughed at over how enraged I am and nobody is taking me seriously. Can anyone offer any advise on how to get through to these thick skulled people and make them realize the seriousness of this decision. I want to make a difference but cannot even make my friends understand the cause. This is really upsetting me. Please let me know about all the support you have been receiving so that I can rest a little easier. People need to be educated about peanut allergy....and fast!!

Concerned about Allergy, first of all, welcome! Yes, we do certainly vent here! I don't know if this will make you feel any better or not, but the only support I got from a group e-mailing I did asking people to contact Nestle was from other PA parents/people and from one older gentleman.
No one else - friends or family has done a thing. My Mother has said that I can send an e-mail on her behalf (she is older and I completely understand her request so it's not a problem).

I spoke with Jesse's doctor and nurse last week in the doctor's office re this and although the nurse has a PA/TNA daughter and the doctor said that he can only buy Chapman's ice cream because his children play with a PA child that is quite close to them, they both didn't appear to take me too seriously and I'm darn sure they didn't visit the Nestle website and e-mail a complaint.

SOME people do look at you as if you are deranged or a raving lunatic.

However, on the up side, there are many people working on this Nestle "thing" and they are receiving tremendous support.

If your child is newly diagnosed and your family and friends are just beginning to get educated about your child's allergy, that may be part of it. But, I've found that with certain people, family members sometimes more than others, education just isn't in the cards and they really just do not give a toss.

I had e-mailed Jesse's Aunt, who has three daughters, Jesse's cousin. No response. For her, life will still be fine because her daughters will be able to continue to eat Smarties no problem so why should she care that her nephew can't?

His paternal Grandmother, when told about the Nestle decision didn't comprehend why my DH and I would no longer be able to consume Nestle products ourselves. The notion of a peanut/nut free home is beyond her comprehension. I would never even try to get her involved.

Again, if it does make you feel any better, I ALWAYS find my most support re anything to do with PA on this board and with the many PA parents/people that I have become friends with off-the-board. Otherwise, it's just not in some people's natures to understand something that they don't think is ever going to happen to them.

Now, I would like to see some people post in response to you that do have wonderful family and friends as I know there are many people here that do have that great support, for which they and their child are very fortunate.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Here is a copy of the e-mail I just sent to Nestle in response to their basic form e-mail they sent all of us last week.

Dear Sir/Madam:
Thank-you very much for SOME response to my e-mail. However, I was terribly
disappointed to receive basically a form letter. I dealt with you two weeks ago
re "safe" ice cream for peanut allergic individuals. The e-mail I
received in response to that was personalized, i.e., written to MY attention,
and dealt with my questions and concerns point by point.

This one does not and I am hoping to receive a better response.

Thank-you for your time and consideration.
Cindy Spowart Cook

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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On the campagin front against Nestle, things seem to be going pretty good. From my list of friends and collegues that i have emailed with the Nestle email link, we're having a good response of at least 20 individuals who have emailed them and/or called them, including people I play hockey with, business colleagues, friends and neighbours.
At least one MP will be writing them, my daughter's class at school will be compiling letters to them, as well as some others. A few will be couriered directly to the President (for what will hopefully give a little extra attention).

My wife called them again, and Nestle reports being swamped with phone calls and general response to this announcement. Everytime i try to call the 1-800-387-4636 number, its always busy. So things must be getting through!

I dont think they'll read all or many of the emails, but rather, report to someone higher up that they received x number of emails and got x number of phone calls, etc. So even short emails by any number of people you may have contact with will help. Always give them the email link (just cut and paste it to your email) so they can easily link directly to Nestle.

Keep it going guys! Thanks even to the Americans who email them, this helps too.

P.S. Maybe if they kept this plant nut free, they could start distributing to the USA for general consumption there and then wouldnt have to expand the plant into one with more nut products!

[url="http://www.nestle.ca/english/utilities/contact.html"]http://www.nestle.ca/english/utilities/contact.html[/url]

Could everyone please take a look, if they get a chance at my thread under Schools re the piece of Nestle propaganda I received from Jesse's school to-day?

Many thanks and best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Hello Cindy, I believe I got the same Nestle notice via the Principal of our school. I would also class it as propaganda (like what they have on their website) but to be fair I think they are following to the letter all the advice they got from the Anaphylaxis Network of Canada to disseminate widely the news of this production change. I emailed back to the Principal on it and put the text of my reply over on the Schools board.

This Nestle thing came as quite a shock. When I told my daughter (she's 12) she immediately wrote a letter to our local newspaper. And it's going to be printed! Thursday or Friday this week! The Ottawa Citizen - I'm hoping they got lots of letters and that they print a bunch of them. She also emailed Nestle and got a response similar to what others have received from the ubiquitous "Tennille Notes, Consumer Services Respresentative".

I've emailed, called and written to Nestle myself. I also spoke to someone at the Anaphylaxis Network, who confirmed my suspicion that they were completely taken by surprise months ago when Nestle approached them with this as a done deal and sought their help in developing a communication plan. The Nestle minds were all made up and tightly closed at that stage. The correspondence posted to the Anaphylaxis Network website at [url="http://www.anaphylaxis.org"]http://www.anaphylaxis.org[/url] makes interesting reading - especially between the lines! All this to say I do believe that given sufficient public pressure they may well decide they are ready to listen and rethink this disastrous course of action. Let's keep at them!

Cindy, see my reply over on the Schools board. I'd call it propaganda too, but to be fair I think Nestle is following to the letter the advice they got from the Anaphylaxis Network of Canada about wide dissemination of this change.

This Nestle news came as quite a shock. My 12 year old daughter (anaphylactic to peanuts and tree nuts) immediately wrote a letter to our local newspaper. They've told us they're going to print it! The Ottawa Citizen - Thursday or Friday! I hope they got lots of letters on this and that they print a bunch of them.

My daughter also emailed Nestle and got an answer similar to what others have received from "Tennille Notes, Customer Services Representative". H/she must be very busy these days! Oh yes and I wrote, phoned and emailed as well - but the great thing has been to see my girl getting involved and speaking out. Yes I'm proud of her.

I'm sure that Nestle did/does not fully recognize the impact of what they're planning to do; I believe that with sufficient pressure they can be made to listen and rethink this disastrous course of action. Let's keep at them!

oops, sorry for double post

Hey folks, maybe we have to change gears a little here. In addition to emailing Nestle, I think perhaps we should start emailing the newspapers/media to get some wider atttention. FYI is the article that the Toronto Star (Canada's largest newspaper) ran last Thursday when the news hit...I just found it today, but maybe if we keep writing them, there will be a bigger story for them to write, and then perhaps others will hit on it too. Lets try.

No longer nut-free Nestl

I've been wriring letters and emailing "every"" news organization I can think of since last Thrusday. The only one I have heard back from is the Ottawa Citizen, and they will print the letter sometime this week. I'm still working on getting the "boycott" site up and running. I'll post when it is!

Thanks

Katiee (Wade's mom)

Joanna G., yes, I do agree with you that Nestle does deserve some recognition for getting this news "out there". I recognize that it must be time consuming, taking effort and maybe even involves quite a bit of cost.

Now, since my son's diagnosis, I haven't been aware of any decision as big as this. However, I was also not connected to the World Wide Web until last year, so I may not have known about anything going on before then.

So, since I've not seen it before, I actually think that it is pretty remarkable that a company would go to these things when they have made a decision. Would a chocolate bar maker that makes mainly peanut products to begin with (i.e., whoever makes Reese's Pieces) do the same thing to make the PA community and community in general more aware? I am not sure that they would. So yes, I do commend Nestle on this information getting "out there" and I must say, out there fast.

I think I should type out at least the part that I find propaganda, or the most propaganda like out of the whole 8-1/2" x 11" piece of paper crammed with information, because it would appear that most people have not received it yet. I will try to re-post this later in my thread under Schools. I had wanted to re-type the whole notice last night but my daughter is not well.

"We know this decision impacts your chocolate purchases and regret the disappointment this causes, especially for children. This was a difficult business decision that was not taken lightly. This decision allows us the flexibility to meet growing consumer demand for peanut/nut chocolate products, and, as a result strengthens the position of our Canadian chocolate factory and its 500 employees. We considered other potential solutions including segregating a peanut/nut-free section of our factory, however, it would not meet our standards for a peanut/nut-free manufacturing environment."

Now, it's the whole GROWING CONSUMER DEMAND FOR PEANUT/NUT CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS that I don't buy. I'm sorry, isn't there enough of them out there already? Or is it that Nestle doesn't have a large selection to choose from (I think they only have one or two, which sometimes make a multi-pack of snacks unsafe).

I really believe, especially after reading this piece of b/s (sorry, I am angry [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/mad.gif[/img] ) that we should boycott them and see that although it will IMPACT OUR CHOCOLATE PURCHASES, it is going to impact Nestle's profits a helluva lot more.

I have also raised some other potential concerns I now have, under the post about the Nestle notice under schools. How will people that are reluctant/resistant to a "peanut free" classroom or school feel when they see this and know that their non-PA child can't take Smarties to school because of a PA child? What if your child is the ONLY PA child in the school as mine is (although, he has a "peanut free" classroom, not school, so it "ONLY" affects 40+ families) in a terribly reluctant/resistant community? I am actually concerned for Jesse and how this decision may have repercussions for him at school. I am quite serious.

I had been wanting to e-mail Nestle with some other concerns after my long winded e-mail of last week to begin with, but now I have that to add.

I just feel like since this thing "broke", my head has exploded and I really don't feel I've been doing much, if anything, for the cause itself except posting any little thing I may write or any response I may get. My printer isn't working (I know, whoa, is me [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/rolleyes.gif[/img] ) so I'm not able to get the other things going that some parents have and I feel really badly about this. I truly do. I have one friend in town with a printer and she's never around! Can you believe it?

Anyway, I've babbled enough. I also know that since this broke, I have had nearly 50 e-mails a day in my inbox and I am feeling really terribly overwhelmed. It's not solely the Nestle thing, but I will blame Nestle should I have a nervous breakdown! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/eek.gif[/img]

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Of course, it would be my double and triple post of one post that would turn this into a two pager, not that it wasn't headed that way anyway. I am so embarrassed! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/redface.gif[/img]

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

[This message has been edited by Cindy Spowart Cook (edited April 25, 2001).]

Okay,
I just called Nestle Canada. I talked to a rep named Mark. He took my name, address and phone number and recorded my complaint about Nestle chocolate no longer being safe. He said that they are being swamped with calls about the decision to no longer have a dedicated facility, and that they were recording all calls regarding this and forwarding them to the corporate HQ. I hope they will take note that they are going to lose US customers as well as Canadian customers. I told them that I would no longer be going up across the border to get chocolate.

Amy

Hi all, well I wanted you all to know what my latest "approach" is.

I have contacted the Ontario Human Rights Commission to see about filing a complaint based on discrimination.

I feel that given Nestle provided products that were "safe", that they in fact promote this, and has now decided that they will no longer be producing these "safe" products they will (by their change in policy) in effect be discriminating against roughly 500,000 PA/TNA Canadians who had been able to consume these previously safe products!

You never know! Maybe a call from the CHRC will get their attention.

Regards,

Katiee (Wade's mom)

I forgot to mention that I have done this on the advice of a lawyer (my sister). She felt that this may indeed have some merit!

You never know!

Regards,

Katiee (Wade's mom)

You know Cindy, I dont feel that Nestle deserves any commending for getting the news out... they do this to help limit their own liability only!
Lest we forget that Nestle was not the great saviour of nut allergic people, by setting up this nut free plant.
They simply bought out Rowntree Dairy a few years back and inherited this benefit!

I cant believe why in the world they wouldnt just try to expand into the US market with these same safe chocolates. Kit Kat, for example is already in the US market, but made locally, why not produce more and ship it down to them. They probably wouldnt even be able to handle the demand just from the one item alone to satisfy all of the US demand.
Then the US plants that already make kitkat, could make some other nutty chocolate!

Look at all the Americans who want our smarties just on these boards, multiply that by thousands, and theres another market for them!

P.S. i already saw one letter to the editor in the Star today from a Canadian who resides in LA who is upset with the decision too. Keep writing!

You're wondering why Nestle's doesn't try to get into the U.S. market. It might be too hard with Hershey there. Cadbury (U.K.) looked into it and in the end they have Hershey making and distributing their product. But Americans do love our smarties so there is certainly hope.

Does Nestle realize their smarties are sold on EBAY too?

redtruck, believe me, my head exploded last Thursday when the news broke. I have been becoming angrier and angrier as each day passes. However, I did feel that Nestle deserved just a touch of credit for getting their propaganda out. Other companies making this decision probably would not have bothered.

Now, I was extremely angry when I received the Nestle propaganda in Jesse's knapsack the other night.

I am just as upset as you are about their decision. Although I did post that Jesse had taken the news well initially, there has not been a day since that he has not asked about Smarties, in particular, in some way. Why won't they be safe anymore? Maybe they'll be safe in our grocery store. This is heartbreaking for me.

I'm sorry if what I posted above was misunderstood as my agreeing with what Nestle is doing or even the propaganda that they're spreading through our children's schools. I don't. However, I did think it was something to be given just a little bit of credit for that they would even make the effort that they are.

Again, I am as angry and upset as everyone else here and doing as much as I possibly can to get the decision reversed. Please don't think anything otherwise.

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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Letters to the Editor -
see today's (April 26) Ottawa Citizen online

[url="http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/index.html"]http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/index.html[/url]

3 letters (ok so one of them is from Nestle).

KarenT posted this on the main board:

"If you live within driving distance of Kingston Ontario, you may be interested in this one day conference. It is put on by the Ontario Asthma and Allergy Association. For more info contact Monika Gibson at 1-888-250-2298.
The cost of the workshop is $45 which covers a one year membership to the Association your lunch and many freebees.
They also have a children's educational program with many activities for the allergic child. The cost for a child is $40.
Dr. Vadas will be speaking about what is new in anaphylaxis. Dr. Vadas researched the presence of peanut protein in breastmilk.
Three other specialist will be speaking on rhinitis, asthma and respiratory allergies, prevention of allergy in children, and the implications of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms for the allergic individual. The Ontario Allergy Asthma Association also has a web site."

JoannaG here. IF YOU WANT ANOTHER CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR POINT TO NESTLE CANADA -
they will have a kiosk in the exhibitors' area of this conference. When I spoke to Monika Gibson yesterday, she told me that AAIA Ontario Region is collecting emails, letters, faxes to present to the 2 Nestle reps who are scheduled to be there. Send your stuff to [email]ontario@aaia.ca[/email]. Monika said they want LOTS of PAPER. for those who are interested, conference agenda, map, registration form are on the website, [url="http://www.aaia.ca."]http://www.aaia.ca.[/url] I sure would like to see them get snowed under.

DUHHH! Forgot the subject line of KarenT's post, which said the conference is May 5.

JoannaG., excellent! So as well as copying the Anaphylaxis Network of Canada, we should also send copies of our e-mails to AAIA. Great stuff!

Also, this is separate but I can't be bothered traveling to Schools. I did send your e-mail, practically verbatim to my son's principal. I have not had a response. Did you get one?

Best wishes! [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

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