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Statement to the 54th World Health Assembly, May 2001

Statement by the Representative of the International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers (IFM) to the Fifty-Fourth World Health Assembly.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for giving me the opportunity to address the Fifty-fourth World Health Assembly on behalf of the International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers. Through ISDI, IFM has enjoyed official relations with the WHO for 15 years.

Our industry is committed to improving the health and well-being of infants and young children through proper nutrition, and we devote considerable resources to research and the development of nutritionally-balanced foods. Likewise, IFM is committed to the scientific process engaged in by the WHO to develop a global strategy on infant and young child feeding. It is our firm belief that the process launched at last year’s Global Technical Consultation and organised by WHO in conjunction with UNICEF, will lead to a comprehensive strategy and plan of action for implementing sound nutritional policies for infant and young children. IFM looks forward to participating with its constructive input in - the draft strategy prior to its presentation at the Executive Board and Health Assembly in 2002.

IFM is pleased that the results of the WHO systematic review on the optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding, take into consideration the specific nutritional needs of individual infant, as well as prevailing environmental, cultural and other risk factors, and provide concrete recommendations for continued research in this area. IFM also appreciates the report by the Secretariat on the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding that was released on April 9 of this year. The report identifies the need to overcome the daunting challenge posed by the 1.5 million children who die every year because they are not adequately fed. It argues, that “the notion of ‘optimal infant feeding’ cannot be defined in absolute terms” and makes the point that the Strategy should emphasize the need for comprehensive national policies on infant and young child feeding.

Mr. Chairman, this year, marks the 20th anniversary of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk substitutes. IFM is proud of having participated actively in its creation and continues to support governments in the implementation and monitoring of the Code.

For example, individual manufacturers have worked with government and civil society to help increase the percentage of mothers who exclusively breastfeed in the early months of life, they have set up internal Code compliance committees, trained staff in Code implementation, widely distributed the Code to health-care professionals, and have provided extensive information on (the importance of ) breastfeeding.

Mr. Chairman, IFM remains committed to playing a responsible and constructive role on infant and young child feeding.
As members of the civil society, IFM continues to support WHO scientifically based health policies to ensure that all infants and young children are adequately fed, Such policies on infant and young child feeding must continue to take into consideration the unique nutritional needs of all children.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, IFM remains committed to play a responsible and constructive role on infant and young child feeding.

Thank you.

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