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Progress Report on Infant and Young Child Nutrition (EB 117/29) January 2006

Thank you Madam Chair. ISDI congratulates WHO secretariat for its report.

ISDI is serving a vital area of health care: IFM manufacturers feed about 70 million infants and young children worldwide with foods designed to meet their specific needs, including infant formulas that are important for babies when they do not receive breast-milk or when they would otherwise receive dangerous substitutes. Processed complementary foods that meet Codex Alimentarius Standards also make a valuable contribution towards optimal nutrition. For instance they are an excellent way to provide iron to babies and they are nutritionally balanced.

Scientific progress aimed at promoting nutrition is also to be welcomed. The industry will continue to be guided by the national and international recommendations in the field of infant nutrition and will apply the food legislation prescribed for the infant food products. Once the WHO Growth Reference Study and the growth standards are released in 2006, industry looks forward to working with national authorities and paediatricians on their application.

ISDI welcomes WHO’s ongoing efforts to ensure safe and appropriate infant feeding practices in special circumstances such as when mothers are HIV positive.

Lastly, as one of the participants in the elaboration of the International Code, the infant food industry applauds the significant strides implementation in countries. This has contributed towards improving the health of infants and young children worldwide. ISDI takes this occasion to reaffirm the industry’s full commitment to the aim of the Code, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2006. Moreover ISDI reiterates its conviction that measures taken at national level through legislation or guidelines, including also transparent monitoring procedures, are the most relevant ways to ensure giving effect to the Code.

Thank you, Chair.

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