146th Session of the WHO Executive Board When: 3 February 2020 – 8 February 2020 Where: WHO Headquarters Contact: Event website “The WHO Executive Board is composed of 34 members technically qualified in the field of health. Members are elected for…
Court condemns Nestlé for violating Swiss Labour Law regarding its food safety manager
PRESS RELEASE Court condemns Nestlé for violating Swiss Labour Law Mrs. Yasmine Motarjemi v. Société des Produits Nestlé SA (formerly Nestec SA) Yasmine Motarjemi, Ph.D., holds an M.Sc. degree in food science and technology from the University of Languedoc, Montpellier,…
Voluntary Guidelines on Food Systems and Nutrition – Draft One
IBFAN is a member of Food and Nutrition working group of the Civil Society Mechanism (CSM) of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS). We regularly contribute to the deliberations of the CSM-CFS through the WG. Presently, the CFS is…
Are the Exclusive Breastfeeding targets holding back further action?
Several countries now exceed the targets for Exclusive Breastfeeding by 2025. Some are interpreting the targets as optimum rather than interim – and this may be holding back further action that could save childrens lives. Interpreting the World Health Assembly…
Hundreds of civil society organizations worldwide denounce World Economic Forum´s takeover of the UN
Press Release Hundreds of civil society organizations worldwide denounce World Economic Forum´s takeover of the UN As corporate executives fly into Davos for the annual meetings of the World Economic Forum, more than 400 civil society organizations and 40 international…
Child-Slavery Appeals by Nestle, Cargill Draw High Court Inquiry
The Supreme Court will consider a number of patent cases for hearing during its Jan. 10 conference. Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg Child-Slavery Appeals by Nestle, Cargill Draw High Court Inquiry Jan. 13, 2020, 2:57 PM Supreme Court seeks Trump administration input on…
Nestlé under fire again
Milk for older babies Nestlé struggles to win over baby formula critics By Jessica Davis Plüss This content was published on January 10, 2020 11:00 AM Jan 10, 2020 Growing-up milk, specially-formulated for older infants, generated the majority of sales growth…
WHO consultation on Governance
WHO information session on NSA consultation and secretariat proposals: IBFAN Questions/Comments 16th December 2019 – Some very worrying changes are bing proposed at this meeting and I am joining this meeting by WEBEX. Thanks to colleagues from the Geneva NGO…
US trade deal must not undermine NHS, food standards or climate action
Update: Cross-party Lords will debate the Withdrawal Agreement Bill on Amendment 27 tomorrow which would give Parliament scrutiny of the UK-EU Future Relationship. Thanks to the Trade Justice Movement, Global Justice now and all the NGOs and MPs who are …
US UK Trade talks
Baby Milk Action is a member of the Trade Justice Movement (TJM) and Global Justice Now (GJN) – and has contributed to a number of position papers about trade justice and future US/UK negotiations. Trade Justice Manifesto 2019. NHS drug…
Call to Action: IBFAN’s 3rd Global Conference in Brazil
RIO DE JANEIRO DECLARATION: A CALL TO ACTION PDF ENGLISH We, citizens of the whole world, call on all governments, professionals, companies and everybody to respect the right of mothers and children to breastfeed. While mothers have the sovereign right over their own…
Exporting countries put trade before the health of the planet and children
Exporting countries put trade before the health of the planet and children 41st Codex Nutrition meeting (CCNFSDU) 23 – 29th November 2019, Dusseldorf, Germany REPORT of the meeting Efforts by developing countries, WHO, UNICEF and the International Baby Food Action…
WHO evaluation of Framework for Engagement with Non State Actors (FENSA)
Evaluation of WHO’s Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (FENSA), November 2019. WHO Evaluation Office _____________________________________________ We have been calling on WHO to carry out a thorough, open and transparent evaluation of FENSA ever since this Framework was adopted in…
Nestlé’s ‘responsible sourcing’ claims uncovered
Documentary on Child Labour reveals Nestlé’s hollow claims ‘Invisible Hands’: Film Review 6:32 AM PST 11/20/2018 by John DeFore FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL ME Courtesy of First Run Features “……In the Indonesian rain forest, workers who are saddled with unmeetable harvest…
Multi-stakeholder partnerships: what are the risks? The case of Scaling up Nutrition (SUN)
Multi-stakeholder partnerships: what are the risks? The case of Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) PDF The potential of partnerships with the private sector has dominated the narrative of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 overshadowing…
Petition on baby food contamination
People can support this call by signing an email action in French or German. Laboratory Tests: Suspected Carcinogenic Mineral Oil Residues in Baby Milk Foodwatch News24.10.2019 https://www.foodwatch.org/en/news/2019/foodwatch-laboratory-tests-suspected-carcinogenic-mineral-oil-residues-in-baby-milk/ Mineral oil in foods Tests have found baby milk products contaminated with harmful…
The risks of Multi-stakeholderism, Committee on Food Security, Rome
15 October 2019, Rome, Italy – CFS 46 – VI MULTISTAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS TO FINANCE AND IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE 2030 AGENDA. Patti Rundall, policy director of International Baby Food Action Network, (IBFAN). Committee on…
Petition to Stop Nestle joining Swiss Water agency
“Nestlé’s exploitation of water is just one of the many examples of the risk this corporation poses to human and planetary health. The subject of a continuing 4-decade boycott for its contribution to the family suffering and lives lost by…
Domestic violence and breastfeeding
University of Warwick press release Embargoed until 7PM BST (UK)/2 PM Eastern Time (US) on Tuesday 1 October 2019, Domestic violence reduces likelihood of mothers breastfeeding in developing countries • Mothers 13% less likely to breastfeed their infants exclusively in…
World Economic Forum´s takeover of the UN
Press Release Hundreds of civil society organizations worldwide denounce World Economic Forum´s takeover of the UN September 26, 2019 Hundreds of civil society organizations worldwide denounce World Economic Forum´s takeover of the UN The call, made in an open letter,…
Research on formulas
Prev Med. 2018 Apr;109:11-16. doi: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2018.01.009. Epub 2018 Jan 12. Toddler drinks, formulas, and milks: Labeling practices and policy implications. Pomeranz JL1, Romo Palafox MJ2, Harris JL2. Author information 1 College of Global Public Health, New York University, NY, New…
Codex notes: African concerns about Additives in Liquid Milk, Cross-promotion
Codex Alimentarius Commission meeting in July 2019 (CAC42). Rough transcript of the debate about the additive Trisodium Citrate in liquid milk . (Page down for the report of the debate on the follow on formula standard and cross promotion.) For…
New Updated tools for protecting breastfeeding, including in emergencies
Updated WBTi tool includes IYCF-E with rich information around IYCF-E from countries who use this tool: https://www.worldbreastfeedingtrends.org/uploads/resources/document/wbti-tool-2019.pdf
A Shadowy Industry Group Shapes Food Policy Around the World
The New York Times A Shadowy Industry Group Shapes Food Policy Around the World https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/health/ilsi-food-policy-india-brazil-china.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/health/ilsi-food-policy-india-brazil-china.html When the Indian government bowed to powerful food companies last year and postponed its decision to put red warning labels on unhealthy packaged food,…
Consultation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Consultation on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Chance to include an indicator for Exclusive Breastfeeding and to define the term ‘Partnership’ Deadline 8th September The 2020 Comprehensive Review of the global indicator framework to monitor progress on the SDGs has…
EU Council conclusions on Childhood Overweight and Obesity
EU Council conclusions on Childhood Overweight and Obesity CLICK HERE http://www.babymilkaction.org/archives/13794 EU Council conclusions regarding actions that can be take to halt the rise in Childhood Overweight and Obesity, adopted by the Council on 15 and 16 June 2017. Here are a…
New articles on Conflicts of Interest and other things
https://www.tni.org/en/publication/multistakeholderism-a-critical-look Multistakeholderism:a critical look. WORKSHOP REPORT Amsterdam, March 2019WORKSHOP REPORT | March 2019 Corporate Power Project _____________ Franklin Frederik. https://www.globalresearch.ca/swiss-development-aid-nestle-water-privatization/5687211 ___________ Indian Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines on the Fast and Junk Foods, Sugar Sweetened Beverages, and Energy Drinks PIYUSH GUPTA…
Codex Committee for Africa – new proposal by IBFAN
FAO/WHO COORDINATING COMMITTEE FOR AFRICA 23rd Session. Nairobi, Kenya, 2-6 September 2019 Background papers Please contact your government for support for IBFAN’s PROPOSAL FOR NEW WORK CONCERNING A REGIONAL STANDARD FOR THE LABELLING AND ADVERTISING OF BREASTMILK SUBSTITUTES AND OTHER…
John Redwood on UK baby milk legislation: 2018 Tory conference
The Tory conference was in Birmingham. I attended many side events including several with John Redwood and Jacob Rees-Mogg as speakers. John Redwood was Secretary of State for Wales in 2005 when the earlier UK legislation was passed and…
Swiss Development Aid, Nestlé and Water Privatization
Interesting article by Franklin Frederick (published in two places) on the scary deals being struck by Nestle with the Swiss government. Swiss Development Aid, Nestlé and Water Privatization Franklin Frederick 26/08/2019 https://www.globalresearch.ca/swiss-development-aid-nestle-water-privatization/5687211 https://www.alainet.org/en/articulo/201783 Nestlé and the Privatization of Water Nestlé’s…
Bolton, Trump, Johnson – how food standards get lowered
“…Bolton “screamed that I was fired” when she refused to lobby for a weakening of restrictions on the sale of infant formula in the developing world… ” Lynne Finney, former legal adviser to the U.S. Agency, 1982 John Bolton, President…
World Breast Feeding Week
Henrietta H. Fore (@unicefchief) 02/08/19, 01:38 World Breastfeeding Week is a reminder that breastfeeding helps to build babies’ brains, providing benefits that last a lifetime. But it takes time. That’s why @UNICEF is calling for paid maternity leave and breastfeeding…
Nestlé under fire for allegedly violating India’s sponsorship law again
Nestle in trouble again for sponsoring research in ‘violation’ of breastfeeding law Nestle denies allegations, says it is always in compliance with all laws & regulations including law that protects & promotes breastfeeding. Himani Chandna Updated: 4 August, 2019 Nestle…
TIGERS UK SPECIAL SCREENINGS
Here are the upcoming screenings: 29th July 2019, Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray Co Wicklow 4th August, Sunday, 13.00.Prince Charles, London Leicester Square, TICKETS 4th August, Sunday, 5pm, The Loft Cinema, Hereford. TICKETS 12th August, The Curzon, 7.30, Clevedon 11th…
IBFAN at the 42nd Codex Commission meeting in Geneva
I attended the Codex meeting in Geneva and spoke on several subjects, including the concern by African countries about additives added to liquid milk, and the need to ensure that there are safeguards against commercial interest, especially of the…
Commercial foods for infants and young children in the WHO European Region (2019)
Commercial foods for infants and young children in the WHO European Region (2019) Download. English (PDF, 5.5 MB) A study of the availability, composition and marketing of baby foods in four European countries In order to help Member States…
Human rights risks of multi-stakeholder partnerships: the Scaling Up Nutrition Initiative
Human rights risks of multi-stakeholder partnerships: the Scaling Up Nutrition Initiative Laura Michéle, FIAN International, Kavya Chowdhry, FIAN International, Patti Rundall, IBFAN and Stefano Prato, SID FULL REPORT: www.2030spotlight.org SUN EXCERPT: SUN Spotlight_2019
NGOs leave EU Platform on Diet, Physical Activity & Health
Stop Press: Page 71 of the revised European Union Health Policy Book, published by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. ‘’…The Platform lost momentum when senior Commission officials ceased to attend; after a few meetings at which the…
IBFAN comment on EFSA open session on age of introduction of baby foods
IBFAN comment on EFSA Public Consultation on the draft scientific opinion on appropriate age for introduction of baby foods. 93rd NDA Plenary Meeting in Parma. – 3rd July 2019 Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) After attending the…
Why ‘No Deal’ would be a disaster for human health
Why ‘No Deal’ would be a disaster for human health. While EU Legislation on baby food marketing fails to meet WHO marketing requirements on several important areas (1) in terms of food safety and Human Rights, EU laws are some…
Public Health England finds Snacks for babies contain ‘unacceptable’ amounts of sugar
Important new report published by Public Health England Foods and drinks aimed at infants and young children: evidence and opportunities for action Foods_and_drinks_aimed_at_infants_and_young_children_June_2019 In January 2016 the European Parliament – led by the Greens – vote for big reductions in…
Boris Johnson’s selective amnesia regarding EU safeguards on food.
See my updated Policy Blog on the risks of ‘No Deal’ for child health. The following transcript is taken from a side event that Boris Johnson held during the Tory Party Conference in October 2017 when he was foreign secretary. …
Global Heating – climate emergency – Green feeding
Carbon_Footprint_2019 The carbon footprint of breastmilk substitutes in comparison with breastfeeding Johan O. Karlsson, Tara Garnett, Nigel C. Rollins, Elin Roos CLICK here for Carbon footprint download Taking action now, worldwide – and from birth. First we need to talk…
Companies Pushed Baby Formula in Peru Despite Ban
New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2019/06/10/world/americas/ap-lt-peru-baby-formula-marketing.html Companies Pushed Baby Formula in Peru Despite Ban By The Associated Press June 10, 2019 LIMA, Peru — Nestle and other multinational companies pushed expensive baby formula to a low-income community near Peru’s capital despite the…
International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) creeps closer to WHO
International Food and Beverage Alliance (IFBA) creeps closer to WHO Below is an example of why its risky to praise voluntary commitments of food corporations. While we of course support WHO’s efforts to bring about legal bans in all countries …
IBFAN ICDC LEGAL UPDATE JAN-MAY 2019
IBFAN-ICDC LEGAL UPDATE January – May 2019 Topics highlighted in this issue: ICDC OFFERS FREE COPIES OF “BREAKING THE RULES, STRETCHING THE RULES” TO CELEBRATE IBFAN’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY IBFAN-ICDC LAUNCHES ALL-TIME BEST-SELLER “PROTECTING INFANT HEALTH: A HEALTH WORKER’S GUIDE” IBFAN-ICDC…
Should Exclusive Breastfeeding Still Be Recommended for 6 Months?
Perspective: Should Exclusive Breastfeeding Still Be Recommended for 6 Months? Rafael Pérez-Escamilla Gabriela S Buccini Sofia Segura-Pérez Ellen Piwoz Advances in Nutrition, nmz039, https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz039 Published:31 May 2019 ABSTRACT The WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding of infants for the first 6 mo…
Breastfeeding and Physical fitness
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/bfm.2019.0043 Exclusive Breastfeeding Is Favorably Associated with Physical Fitness in Children Objective: To examine the potential association between exclusive breastfeeding and its duration on physical fitness (PF) components during childhood. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 5,125 dyads children…
Expose of International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) – beware!
https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jun/03/science-institute-that-advised-eu-and-un-actually-industry-lobby-group?__twitter_impression=true Science institute that advised EU and UN ‘actually industry lobby group’ International Life Sciences Institute used by corporate backers to counter public health policies, says study June 3rd 2019 Arthur Neslen An institute whose experts have occupied key positions…
IBFAN highlights risks of WHO’s Governance reforms at the Executive Board meeting
145th WHO Executive Board. 29-30th May The 72nd World Health Assembly in Geneva has now ended CLICK here for IBFAN’s statements. We are also tracking WHO’s transformation processes and governance reforms – and will deliver the statement below today at…