http://action.sumofus.org/a/nestle-nige ... /2/?sub=fb
Now...this is scandalous enough, but what I found next is even more extra-ordinary. Nestle have responded to this on their own website:
http://www.nestle.com/aboutus/ask-nestl ... lla-sativa
So, erm, they aren't trying to patent the fennel flower. As in they aren't trying to patent the flower itself. Well, doh! Why would Nestle try to patent an actual flower? What matters is the active ingredient it contains.Nestlé is not trying to patent the fennel flower.
We made patent applications for a compound that can be extracted from Nigella sativa (also known as fennel flower, black seed and black cumin) or from other plants, to help treat or prevent food allergies.
The patent, which has not yet been approved, would not prevent the use of the fennel flower plant for any other purposes, including in traditional and natural remedies.
The real evil lies in the next bit.
"The patent, which has not yet been approved, would not prevent the use of the fennel flower plant for any other purposes, including in traditional and natural remedies. "
Which means, of course, that it would prevent the use of the fennel flower for helping to treat or prevent food allergies. In other words, they really are trying to patent a natural remedy and prevent people from using it.
This has finally convinced me to stop buying their products altogether.
Please share.