Infant Milks
Working within the WHO Code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes
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| The WHO Code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes and all the subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions are global agreements designed to protect all babies from unscrupulous marketing and claims about alternatives to breastmilk. Some but not all of the Code and resolutions are written into regulation in the UK, which means that advertising of follow on formula, and advertising to health professionals is permissible. |
| Everyone working in Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative accredited settings however pledges to work within the WHO Code and resolutions, and we are pleased to work in partnership with them to support health professionals in this. |
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This report examines the scientific evidence cited by companies to support claims made in advertising for breastmilk substitutes aimed at health workers. These adverts are allowed under current UK wide regulations, but must be 'scientific and factual.' Studies cited in support of claims are often misleading and we believe that some of these advertisements are not in line with current regulations. We are asking for help to raise awareness of this issue - click here for more details. |
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This briefing explains why a breastmilk substitute might want to partner with organisations that support pregnant women, infants and young children and reviews the activities of Danone globally has they have been externally evaluated. |
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A guide for health workers to working within the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes You can access this here ... back to top |
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We have also produced a 1 page leaflet for families ‘What infant formula to choose’ in partnership with the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative You can access this here ... |
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How Unicef Baby Friendly supports formula feeding parents This new statement can be accessed on the Unicef Baby Friendly website and outlines how BFI supports families who formula and bottle feed. It is a requirement for accreditation that staff support families who formula feed, and the statement also explains why families need independent information about milks rather than information from the breastmilk substitute industry.
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We have compiled a downloadable short report which summarises the organisations and websites that are funded by the formula milk industry and which provide information to health professionals. |
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'I just want to find the right formula for my baby' This qualitative report considers conversations between mums and other infant carers on websites and chat boards about infant formula. It updates a previous report ‘I hear it’s the closest to breastmilk’ and considers how the conversations mums have are influenced by the marketing of infant milks. |
| We will be adding more information to this section shortly | |
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