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3.0 International Policies

3.1 The WHO Code

International Code on the Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes

Aim of the Code

The aim of this Code is to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding, and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution.

Article 1: WHO Code

Scope of the Code

The Code applies to the marketing, and practices related thereto, of the following products:

  • breast-milk substitutes, including infant formula; other milk products, foods and beverages, including bottlefed complementary foods, when marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, with or without modification, for use as a partial or total replacement of breast milk;
  • feeding bottles and teats.
It also applies to their quality and availability, and to information concerning their use.

Article 2. WHO Code

Review your Policy

Look through your Policy and find where it details the Unit's and the individual's responsibility to relation to the following:
  • no advertising of these products to the general public
  • no free samples to mothers, their families or to health workers
  • no promotion of these products, ie no products on view, no posters, no distribution of literature produced by manufacturers of these products, no use of company-paid personnel in your Unit
  • no gifts or samples to health workers
  • all literature provided to health workers must be factual and scientific, not promotional
  • no free or low-cost supplies of these products to any part of the health care system

Implementation

How are you affected?

What should you do in each of the following instances?
  • manufacturer of these products offers to pay your registration to a breastfeeding conference
  • industry spokes-person wishes to address the staff about their product
  • industry spokes-person offers to leave samples of their new product, and other gifts for the staff such as coffee cups, diaries, pens, etc
  • baby to be discharged home requiring formula supplements - mother tells you she has not yet purchased any formula, or cannot afford to
  • infant food manufacturer leaves samples of suitable complementary foods for the older infant, which notes they can be given from 4 months of age
  • literature available for promotion of follow-on formula for infants from 12 months of age
  • gift bags containing bottles, teats (nipples) and an insulated carry bag 'for the use of pumped breastmilk' are donated to your Unit
If you are unsure, discuss it with your colleagues and staff educator.

What should I remember?

  • the aim of the Code
  • the products that are covered under the Scope of the Code
  • the health care institution's and health professionals' responsibilities as outlined in the section referring to your Policy