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Does the industry flood developing countries with products in order to encourage bottle-feeding?
No. IFM member companies abide by national legal requirements and the WHO Code. Most developing countries, which previously allowed donations and low cost supplies to maternity units and hospitals, have now banned this practice.
How do infant food manufacturers ensure that illiterate mothers in developing countries are able to follow instructions to prepare formula?
All infant formula labels and literature carry preparation instructions in both words and pictures. The words are in the local language(s) of the country and are accompanied by clear and simple pictures to show how to make up the food correctly.
Is there a problem with unsafe use of infant formula in developing countries?
No. If infant formula is prepared and used correctly, there is no problem. Lack of clean water and sanitation, however, can pose a risk to the baby so water used to make up baby feeds should always be boiled. IFM insists that member companies carry out proper marketing practices, adhere to labeling requirements and provide instruction on safe and correct preparation of infant formulas according to the WHO Code.
What does the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes say about the use of infant formula products?
The World Health Organisation's (WHO) International Code calls on governments to give practical effect to the principles and aim of the Code. If governments establish a response to the WHO Code, IFM Member Companies comply with their national codes and any other regulatory measures and legal requirements they adopt. In developing countries, if no such government measures have been adopted, IFM policy calls on companies to implement the WHO Code consistent with applicable national legal requirements. In developed countries lacking specific government action with respect to the WHO Code, individual company policies are consistent with applicable national legal requirements.
IFM support for the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes
The aim of the WHO Code, which was adopted in the form of a recommendation to governments by the 34th World Health Assembly in May 1981, is:
“to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding, and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution”.
In October 1989, IFM reaffirmed to the WHO Director General the commitment of its member companies to support the principles and aim of the WHO Code.
Monitoring the implementation of the WHO Code or national codes and regulations is the responsibility of national governments. IFM has stated unequivocally that it will collaborate with governments to this end. In particular, IFM feels it is essential that such measures taken by governments are clear and unambiguous and that responsibility for their implementation is shared by manufacturers as well as all other concerned members of the health care system.
To further the association's statutory goal of promoting high ethical standards for the infant food industry, IFM has voluntarily established procedures for investigating complaints against member companies.
Complaints alleging non-compliance with the WHO Code or with the applicable national codes may be submitted to the Secretary General of IFM. Along with any accompanying documentation, complaints are transmitted to the named company for investigation by that company. If the complaint is found to be justified, corrective action is instituted immediately.
Complaints received relating to the activities of non-IFM members are forwarded to those companies and they are encouraged to reply directly to the complainant.
IFM issues an annual summary of all complaints and their disposition, which is available to all concerned parties through the IFM secretariat.
Complaints supported by full written and/or graphic documentation should be addressed to:
The Secretary General
International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers
194 rue de Rivoli
75001 PARIS - FRANCE
What is the safest way to introduce complementary foods to avoid malnutrition and infant mortality?
The WHO policy advises that complementary foods be introduced at six months of age as a general recommendation for all populations but also suggests that some infants may need to be fed complementary foods before six months of age.
To ensure that the nutritional needs of infants are met, complementary foods should be:
- Timely: They are introduced when energy and nutrient requirements exceed amounts that can be provided through exclusive and frequent breastfeeding.
- Adequate: They should provide sufficient energy, protein and micronutrients to meet a growing child's nutritional needs.
- Safe: They are hygienically stored, prepared and fed with clean hands using clean utensils.
- Properly fed: They are provided consistent with a child's signals of appetite and satiety, and meal frequency and feeding method are suitable for age. For example, mother actively encourages the child to consume a sufficient quantity of food using fingers, spoon or self-feeding.
What role do the infant food manufacturers play in helping to combat the AIDS threat?
IFM participated in the Global Technical Consultation meeting convened by WHO in April 1998 to review the latest scientific research on feeding practices of infants and young children at risk for AIDS. Its members support the aims of the Joint UN Program on HIV/ AIDS.
Infant food manufacturing companies subscribe to one set of principles when supplying infant formula, regardless of the situation. Practices do not differ in response to specific health issues such as HIV, tuberculosis, etc. In practice, IFM member companies support the aims of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.
Helpful links:
A Review of HIV Transmission Through Breastfeeding (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS – pdf file)
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