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Statement By The Representative of the International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers (IFM), An International Nongovernmental Organisation in Official Relations with WHO, to the Fifty-third World Health Assembly.

1. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me the opportunity to address this assembly on behalf of the International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers. IFM is part of the International Special Dietary Foods Industries, ISDI, an NGO that has enjoyed official relations with the WHO for 14 years. Our industry is vitally concerned with the health and well-being of infants and young children through proper nutrition. We devote considerable resources to research and the development of foods to improve the health and nutritional status of infants and young children.
   
   
2. As one of the partners in the process of implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, we are grateful to WHO for its initiatives in helping to overcome barriers to national implementation of the Code. We hope that all parties concerned will cooperate in advancing a dialogue.
   
   
3. IFM, as a responsible member of civil society, dedicated to infant and young child health through proper nutrition, fully supports the WHO process to develop a global strategy on infant and young child feeding. The Global Technical Consultation, organised by WHO in cooperation with UNICEF, we believe, will lead to a comprehensive strategy and plan of action for implementing sound nutritional policies for infant and young children in this decade. We are confident that through this process, and through the regional meetings in which all interested parties IFM, other NGOs, academia, professional associations will make contributions, will result in a technically sound and politically feasible solution. We also believe that the Multicentre Growth Reference Study will make a contribution to evidence-based solutions.
   
   
4. Mr. Chairman, our industry is acutely aware of the fact that malnutrition is one of the most significant risk factors contributing to the global burden of disease and it is active in the research, development, production and distribution of foods that can help reduce this burden. These foods, and especially those adapted to the nutritional needs of infants and young children, complement the first food of all infants that is mother’s milk. IFM supports the WHO recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 4 to 6 months of life. We are engaged in a dialogue with WHO on how best to indicate the recommended age for introduction of complementary foods on labels that would convey the messages to users of all cultures.
   
   
5. There are many other challenges and risks associated with childbearing and nursing that require attention. Our industry is also developing products especially designed to combat malnutrition in expecting and lactating mothers in order to help them bear, nurse and nourish healthier infants. In addition, women should have access to all available information in order to make fully informed health choices for themselves and their children.
   
   
6. Mr. Chairman, in summary, IFM wishes to underline the following points:

   6.1 The process set forth by Dr. Brundtland allows for all parties to contribute in appropriate ways. IFM will use all the appropriate channels available to contribute its unique expertise in research, development, production and distribution of food products in order to help improve the nutritional status of women, infants and children.

   6.2 IFM Members will continue their efforts, working with governments and other responsible partners, regional and international organisations and community based NGOs at the national level to continue to strengthen the mechanisms for effective implementation of the Code by Member States.

   6.3 IFM trusts that the Health Assembly will endorse the constructive process initiated by Dr Brundtland to set the strategy and plan of action for sound nutritional policies for infants and young children for the next decade.

Mr. Chairman, the objective of adequate nutrition for infants and young children in Member States is shared by all. The means to this noble endeavour must remain evidence-based as part of WHO’s mandate as the international body responsible for setting health policy. That cannot and should not be compromised.

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