Baby Milk Action is a non-profit
organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable
suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding. Baby Milk Action
works within a global network to strengthen independent, transparent
and effective controls on the marketing of the baby feeding industry.
The
global network is called IBFAN (the International Baby Food Action
Network) a network of over 200 citizens groups in more than 100
countries.
Click on the logo for news of IBFAN's 30th birthday celebrations.
Protecting breastfeeding
There
is no food more locally produced or sustainable than breastmilk. A
breastfed child is less likely to suffer from gastroenteritis,
respiratory and ear infections, diabetes, allergies and other
illnesses. In areas with unsafe water a bottle-fed child is up to 25
times more likely to die as a result of diarrhoea.
Reversing the decline in breastfeeding could save 1.5 million lives around the world every year.
Breastfeeding helps fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals and has
the potential to reduce under-5 mortality by 13%. A further 6% of
deaths could be saved through appropriate complementary feeding.
Breastfeeding also provides health benefits to the mother, such as
reduced risk of some cancers.
That is why a marketing code was introduced in 1981 to regulate the
marketing of breastmilk substitutes. Companies continue to violate its
provisions - see examples
here. Find out how Baby Milk Action works to stop them and
how you can help.
Protecting babies fed on formula
Breastmilk
substitutes are legitimate products for when a child is not breastfed
and does not have access to expressed or donor breastmilk. Companies
should comply with composition and labelling requirements and other
Code requirements to reduce risks - independently of government
measures. Parents have a right to accurate, independent information.
Baby
Milk Action is not anti-baby milk. Our work protects all mothers and
infants from irresponsible marketing. Click here
for further details.
Press release 13 October 2009: Thirty years on from the first concrete steps to regulate the baby milk industry - experts reflect as industry 'fights a rearguard' action.
Press release 27 August 2009: Remembering Senator Edward Kennedy's role in protecting infant health from Nestlé and others.
Campaign for Ethical Marketing July 2009: Nestlé bosses misleading mothers, Danone's Milupa Aptamil follow-on formula not 'the best' concludes watchdog, Mead Johnson - the best start in life?
Press release 22 July 2009: Parents misled by 'Best Formula' claim -
ASA rules against Aptamil advertisement
Tribute to Professor Emeritus David C. Morley, CBE 15th June 1923 – 2nd July 2009: Baby Milk Action mourns the passing of one of our most valued advisors and friends, Professor David Morley, CBE, MD, FRCP, founder and President of Teaching-aids at Low Cost (TALC), who died on 2 July 2009 aged 86 years. Tribute from Felicity Savage King, Chairperson World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action
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Food Action Network (IBFAN).
Press release 22 May 2009: Nestle malpractice raised at shareholder meeting and annual demonstration - World Health Assembly called to act on baby food pushing
Press release 21 May 2009: European countries' failure to regulate baby milk marketing results in downgrading in global ranking presented at World Health Assembly
Press release 9 February 2009: ONE MILLION CAMPAIGN - global campaign in support of a woman's right to breastfeed launched.
Press release 30 January 2009: The Other Davos meeting – NGOs expose Nestlé baby food pushing, trade union busting and spying. Baby Milk Action asks George Clooney to reconsider his defence of Nestlé.
Update 41 (November 2008):
Melamine in baby milk scandal - Former MI6 agent ran Nestle spy
operation - UK law: High Court action and monitoring - Martek health
claim rejected by EU scientific body.
Press release 22 October 2008:
Advertising Standards
Authority ruling shows contempt for UN Committee on the Rights of the
Child by clearing Cow & Gate 'laughing babies' formula milk
advertisement.
Media watch 8 August 2008:
The Observer on George Clooney appearing in Nespresso advertisements
for Nestlé. Emma Thompson writes to George.
To be added to the International Nestlé Boycott email discussion group
send an email to subscribe by clicking
here (or send an email to
intNestléboycott-subscribe@yahoogroups.co.uk).
Visit the Virtual Shop for
publications about infant feeding and merchandise to support our
campaigns.
All orders help to fund
our work.
This website is operated & maintained by Mike Brady
at Baby Milk Action, UK.
Baby Milk Action, 34 Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1QY, UK
phone: +44 (0)1223 464420 fax: +44 (0)1223 464417
Registered in England and Wales, No 1924050.