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IFM member companies are keenly aware of the legitimate interest that consumers and other stakeholders have in the way they conduct their business. A commitment to socially and environmentally responsible practices is integral to all policy and practice decision-making processes. Every IFM member company subscribes to these fundamental principles in the development, production and marketing of foods for infants and young children:
- Food safety – All infant foods are manufactured to the highest safety and nutrition standards, in compliance with the Codex Alimentarius.
- Compliance with WHO Code – Companies always follow national legislation where it exists. Furthermore, IFM companies support the principles and aim of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
- Compliance with antitrust laws – Companies respect the rules of fair competition and abide by relevant antitrust laws.
- Environmental standards – Companies strive to minimize adverse effects on the environment through sustainable use of raw materials and efficient energy and waste management.
- Business practices – Companies and their employees are expected to comply with the laws of the countries in which they operate, respect local social and cultural practices, conduct their business with integrity and avoid conflicts of interest.
Commitment to the Community
IFM member companies support a wide variety of projects as part of their commitment to the world community. For example:
- They have established research foundations to fund projects concerning child nutrition. The foundations investigate the causes of malnutrition and ways of improving children’s nutrition in poor regions. <R>
- They support continuing education programmes, professional organisations, medical congresses and student scholarships with a view to advancing local expertise. They also publish monographs and run symposiums. Ongoing dialogue with scientists and nutrition experts ensures companies remain at the cutting edge of research and innovation.
- They fund social and educational activities in communities where they operate. These may include nutrition and feeding programmes in schools, vocational training and contributions to charities for handicapped, chronically sick or underprivileged children.
- They provide appropriate information and materials to health workers to help them counsel parents and other caregivers about optimal feeding practices.
- They support women’s groups involved in family health and education in order to promote public awareness of sound health and nutrition practices.
- They exchange ideas and information with consumer groups and NGOs for a clearer understanding of their respective roles and responsibilities in civil society.
- They provide humanitarian assistance to communities affected by war or natural disaster, donating products to emergency relief efforts, providing volunteer workers and giving support to medical and other charities.
IFM also works closely with national and international health organisations and has underwritten projects to help improve public health in countries where member companies operate. For example:
- As part of a project funded by IFM and implemented locally with Emory University, USA, the Institute of Public Health, Mexico and the Institute of Nutritional Investigation, Peru, the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has developed a system for assessing the diets of infants and young children. It is used to develop ideal diets based on locally available foods.
- IFM also sponsored a joint workshop with the International Paediatric Association (IPA) and the Committee on Nutrition of the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) that explored research issues concerning complementary feeding.
IFM member companies recognise the importance of socially responsible behaviour at both national and international levels. For this reason, they are constantly seeking ways to set the pace for new standards of corporate citizenship.
Updated 8 May 2003
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