Background on the Infant Formula Issue
History
During the early 1970’s, a public health controversy over the marketing and use of breast-milk substitutes began to emerge. In particular, there was uneasiness about specific geographic regions where the cost of infant formula, lack of clean water, poor sanitation, and difficulties associated with reading or following mixing instructions posed serious health risks. Concerns centered on the possibility that advertising or promotion of breast-milk substitutes to the public could lead to the unsafe use of those products.
In 1979, WHO/UNICEF hosted an international meeting attended by representatives of governments, health organisations, NGOs and the infant food industry. The participants adopted a series of recommendations aimed at contributing to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants and young children. In particular, they focused on protecting and promoting breast-feeding and ensuring the proper use of breast milk substitutes, when they became necessary.
In May 1981, the 34th World Health Assembly adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in the form of a recommendation to governments. Member States were urged to enact national legislation involving all concerned parties in its implementation and in the monitoring of compliance.
The Code sets out detailed provisions about products within its scope; the appropriate dissemination of information and education on infant feeding, marketing of breast-milk substitutes, measures to be taken in health care systems, labeling and quality of breast-milk substitutes and related products; and the implementation and monitoring of the Code. Since 1981, several more resolutions have been adopted.
Current Situation
In 1984, the infant food industry founded the International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers (IFM) to facilitate industry dialogue with governments and UN agencies such as WHO, FAO and UNICEF, and to encourage high ethical marketing standards for the infant food industry. IFM supports science-based policies and regulations related to health and nutrition. Its member companies are fully committed to supporting the aims of the Code and recognising its value as a way to promote good health and safe nutrition for all infants.
Manufacturers have made significant strides in addressing legitimate concerns and improving marketing practices. In fact, many companies have taken strong measures such as commissioning independent audits, training staff to comply with the Code, and carrying out disciplinary action against employees found to be in violation. Companies have also intensified their efforts in supporting national governments to implement the Code and have established national associations to help facilitate dialogue with government authorities.
WHO recognises that infant formula has a legitimate role to play in infant and young child feeding. WHO has also consistently stated that appropriate marketing and distribution of breast-milk substitutes is only one of several important methods to ensure healthy infant and young child feeding practices. It also maintains that decisions about infant-feeding choices are highly complex, and that cultural traditions, educational opportunities, objective information and time available to the mother all play a part.
IFM welcomes all endeavours that foster and promote appropriate infant and young child feeding practices and will continue to support WHO in its efforts to formulate health policies based on scientific evidence.
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