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Statement to the 55th World Health Assembly, May 2002

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

I would like to thank you, Madam Chair, for this opportunity to address the members of the World Health Assembly on behalf of the International Association of Infant Food Manufacturers. Through ISDI, IFM enjoys official relations with WHO.

Let me start by saying that IFM welcomes the Assembly’s endorsement of the Global Strategy for Infant and Young Child Feeding. It is an important roadmap for future initiatives to better address the critical issue of infant and child nutrition. We are also pleased that, in the Strategy and Resolution, the WHO takes an all-inclusive approach, reaching out to all partners in implementation of the Strategy. For example, the strategy takes note of the constructive role that infant-food manufacturers do and can play in addressing the vital issues that are here before us.

For its part, IFM stands ready to contribute – by participating in public-private partnerships to improve infant and young child feeding, and by supporting the full implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

On the first objective, we believe an opportunity for cooperation exists in furthering the science of infant and young child feeding. As you are well aware, our members devote considerable resources to research relating to pediatric nutrition and to the development of nutritionally balanced processed foods. We therefore applaud the scientific process advocated by WHO in the Global Strategy, and we look forward to adding our constructive input to achieving its aim and objectives.

To further the second objective, we once again express support for the DG’s proposal to organise a Forum comprised of all concerned parties to resolve the outstanding issues blocking implementation of the WHO Code, specifically:

• Lack of clearly defined government regulations
• Inadequate and nontransparent enforcement mechanisms
• Confusion regarding the scope of the Code

In conclusion, IFM thanks the Director General for the opportunity to take part in this discussion of infant and child feeding, a subject which goes to the heart of what IFM is all about. As you are well aware, our members are committed to improving the health and well-being of young children through proper nutrition, and we devote considerable resources to research and development of nutritionally balanced processed foods. We forward to working with all concerned parties in finding creative solutions to the nutritional needs of the world’s children.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

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