75th World Health Assembly May 22-28th This year, because of building work at the UN Palais, NGOs in official relations with WHO will be limited to 4 delegates: I will join Elisabeth Sterken (IBFAN Canada) Ellie MacGregor (IBFAN USA/ALPP) and…
Governments must control their unethical corporations
Governments should control their unethical corporations In June 1992, following the adoption of the first EU Directive on marketing of breastmilk substitutes (infant formula and follow-up formula) in the internal market, the EU adopted an Export Directive (requiring labels in…
NEW: WHO UNICEF IBFAN -National implementation of the Code Status report 2022
Marketing of breastmilk substitutes: national implementation of the international code, status report 2022 WHO UNICEF IBFAN https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/354221 This report provides updated information on the status of implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS) and subsequent relevant…
NEW Joint Statement on Ukraine crisis – protecting mothers and children
Link to Baby Milk Action Blog IYCF_Joint-Statement-V2-06052022-EN IYCE Hub for more information Joint Statement Protecting Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices in the Ukraine Conflict and Refugee Crisis Version 2: May 2022 UNICEF, UNHCR, the Global Nutrition Cluster, the IFE…
NEW WHO report on the scope and impact of digital marketing for the promotion of breast-milk substitutes
NEW WHO report on the scope and impact of digital marketing for the promotion of breast-milk substitutes click here for the report Following on from the 8-country report (Marketing the $55 billion formula milk industry – How marketing influences our decisions…
Why formula donations can be a risk – examples from Ukraine and Myanmar
Formula distribution in Myanmar: Here is a Facebook page shows free distribution of Nature One formula (follow-up) in Myanmar. The actress Khine Hnin Wai who runs a charity orphanage (who also appears to be the brand ambassador), says in the video that…
Update on Nestlé, Ukraine and WHO Foundation
Update on Nestlé, Ukraine and WHO Foundation While we watch with horror yet another human catastrophy in Ukraine, we urge everyone to support the Joint statement led by UNICEF, the Global Nutrition Cluster and the Infant Feeding in Emergencies Group,…
WHO Model law for the European Region
ENDING INAPPROPRIATE MARKETING OF BREAST-MILK SUBSTITUTES AND FOODS FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN PDF The WHO European Region: protecting the most vulnerable Coinciding with the launch of the new WHO–UNICEF global report: “How marketing of formula milk influences our decisions…
Marketing the $55 billion formula milk industry – How marketing influences our decisions on infant feeding.
See also WHO report on Digital Marketing social assets IBFAN welcomes the WHO UNICEF report – How marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding, On 23rd February, WHO and UNICEF launched a hard-hitting multi-country report –How the…
Infant feeding in emergencies – links to blogs
Links to blogs and publications on infant feeding in emergencies (not specific to Ukraine). Why infants have special needs Babies have specific nutritional needs and are born with an undeveloped immune system. For infants who are breastfed, breastmilk provides both…
FDA Warns Consumers about Abbott’s Powdered Infant Formula – shortage in USA
For updated IBFAN briefings on this recall visit the contaminants page on the IBFAN GIFA website. Formula shortage in the USA: https://youtu.be/SIGvs7avNYA FDA is questioned on the delay on Contamination of baby and infant foods updated March 3,…
35K people call for immediate halt to an unethical formula study in Uganda and Guinea-Bissau
. HELP STOP UNETHICAL FORMULA RESEARCH ON BABIES PLEASE remember to sign and share this petition that over 35,000 have signed so far, with numerous comments posted to the journal website. STOP PRESS: Questioning the ethics of international research…
IBFAN warns about corporate influence at WHO Executive Board Meeting
IBFAN statements for the WHO Executive Board Meetings – 24-29th January 2022 See earlier Policy Blog for the Background to the EB Discussion. All the presentations from IBFAN, Civil Society, Member States and WHO can be seen on the WEBCAST…
Protected: Agenda Item 17 Maternal Infant and Young Child Health.
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Baby Food marketing on WHO’s agenda – will the Civil Society voice be stifled?
Baby food marketing on WHO’s agenda – will the Civil Society voice be stifled? WEBCAST of the EB IBFAN STATEMENTS Members of the EB The 150th session of WHO’s Executive Board (EB) 24-29th January. For the first time…
Farewell to Peter Greaves – a remarkable and much valued friend – and now Gerson da Cunha
Gerson da Cunha A few weeks after Peter died – on 7th January – we got the news that one of Peter’s friends, Gerson da Cunha had died. Gerson was an Indian/Goan high level communicator, who worked for UNICEF…
Two wonderful people we lost this year. Hussein Tarimo and Radha Holla Bhar
Thanks to WABA for the photos and some of the text on this page Hussein Hassan Tattue Tarimo IBFAN and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) are truly sad to announce the passing away of our dear friend…
Academics express concern over conflicts of interest in South Africa
On Board with Nestlé? Academics express concern over conflicts of interest Maverick Citizen: Academic independence https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-11-23-on-board-with-nestle-academics-express-concern-over-conflicts-of-interest/ (Photo: logos-world.net/Wikipedia) By Mark Heywood Follow 23 Nov 2021 1 Academics across the world have been expressing growing concern over what they describe as ‘corporate…
Baby food industry lobbies to weaken Codex standards on sweetness and flavouring
Baby food industry lobbies to weaken Codex standards on sweetness and flavouring Unhealthy UN partnerships: The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are the parent bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. In 2021 FAO adopted…
IBFAN concerns about vulnerable groups and food safety
IBFAN to Dr. Branca Final 27.10.21 Agenda Item 8.3 Codex Alimentarius Commission November 2021 IBFAN Food Safety Statement 2020 Dr Francesco Branca Director Nutrition and Food Safety World Health Organization Avenue Appia 20 1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland 27th September 2021…
COP26:The baby food industry’s needless destruction of an irreplaceable natural resource – a form of ecocide?
FINAL COP STATEMENT French translation The baby food industry’s destruction of an irreplaceable natural resource IBFAN Statement 5th Nov 2021 The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes [i] was adopted forty years ago by the World Health Assembly, the…
A Fatal Engagement – article by Arun Gupta
https://drarungupta.blogspot.com/2021/10/a-fatal-engagement.html (Child Health, Nutrition and its Governance, Public Policy and Politics) A Fatal Engagement Development of India’s food policy is dominated by the food industry and makers of chemical nutrients through their front groups or advisers-thus undermining the health of…
M8 Alliance Declaration: From Words to Action World Health Summit 2021
M8_Alliance_Declaration M8 Alliance Declaration: From Words to Action World Health Summit 2021 | October 26, 2021 The COVID–19 pandemic is far from over and we have to explore and implement innovative and effective measures to defeat this virus and to…
GLOBAL TRADE: Safer labelling on baby foods and drinks urgently needed
IBFAN FUF comment IBFAN RUTF comment IBFAN COMMENT FOPN IBFAN ENCA CRD 46th CCFL 3 Governments must take the lead on public health policies: Safer labelling for baby drinks and foods urgently needed. 46th Codex Committee on Food Labelling IBFAN…
Comments on UK DRAFT DHSC Guidance Notes
FINAL GUIDELINES https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infant-and-follow-on-formula-and-food-for-special-medical-purposes https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infant-and-follow-on-formula-and-food-for-special-medical-purposes/commission-delegated-regulation-eu-2016127-supplementing-regulation-eu-no-6092013-guidance DRAFT DHSC Guidance Notes on Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 (supplementing Regulation (EU) No 609/2013) 16th August 2021 The UK has held a consultation on draft guidance on Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 for…
Nestlé cancels its ‘Free Stokvel Mom and Child Forum’ following protests
FOOD JUSTICE Nutrition activists urge Nestlé to cancel ‘Free Stokvel Mom and Child Forum’ saying it violates SA regulations By Mark Heywood and Michelle Banda• 12 August 2021 Note: At 8.50 am on Friday, August 13, this article was updated following…
US authorities remove breastfeeding newborn and prompt outrage
Authorities take 2nd child from ‘American Idol’ contestant, prompting outrage Syesha Mercado, who is fighting to get her toddler back, recorded deputies taking her newborn from her in an Instagram Live video. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1276796 ______________________________________________________________- Lancet: 40 years of the Code…
Closure of the EU Platform for Action on Diet
Closure of the EU Platform for Action on Diet_signed Dear Sir or Madam, Please be informed that in order to meet our obligations and objectives stemming from the new EU strategies related to public health (e.g. Farm to Fork Strategy,…
Will the Food Systems Summit protect human rights and breastfeeding – part of the first food system?
Will the Food Systems Summit protect human rights and breastfeeding – part of the first food system? Program With every day yet more news of climate and food crises, loss of biodiversity, mass extinction of species, rising social inequalities, conflicts…
World Breastfeeding Week 1-7th August
World Breastfeeding Week 1-7 August,2021 Protecting breastfeeding – where lies the responsibility? World Breastfeeding week (WBW) is organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in 1-7th August. (WBW is celebrated in October in Europe.) IBFAN and partners will…
Join the civil society opposition the UN Food Systems Summit
Hundreds of grassroots organizations to oppose the UN Food Systems Summit Civil society and Indigenous Peoples’ organizations launch a global counter-mobilization against the UN Food Systems Pre-Summit from 25 to 28 July 2021 in Rome and online. Rome, Italy. 19…
Stop Ecocide amendment submitted to the UK Environment Bill
Baroness (Natalie) Bennett of Manor Castle, former leader of the UK Green Party, has submitted an ecocide amendment to the Environment Bill currently making its way through the House of Lords (the UK’s upper chamber). Stop Ecocide International, co-founded in…
Grassroots organizations oppose the UN Food Systems Summit
Grassroots organizations oppose the UN Food Systems Summit Rome, Italy. July 2021. “At a time when poverty rates, economic disparity, conflicts and hunger are rising, the Food Systems Summit and the N4G promote short term treatment models, with little attempt…
UK decision to slash foreign aid paves the way for private cash
The decision by the UK Government to slash foreign aid is being widely criticised as penny-pinching. We believe this misses the point. Surely the decision is not about saving cash at all, but part of a deliberate strategy to let…
Please help ensure an end to misleading promotion of risky, ultra-processed baby drinks.
The Deadline for the next round of Codex comments covering Drinks for young children (12-36 months) was 30th June.. The next and possibly final online nutrition meeting where a decision will be taken will be November. Click here for…
Ask your MP to sign Early Day Motion 92
Ask your MP to support the Code and Resolutions in full FIND YOUR MP EDM (Early Day Motion) 92: tabled on 24 May 2021 Thanks to long time Code supporter Alison Thewliss SNP for sponsoring this Early Day Motion following…
Join Civil society in challenging the UN Food Systems Summit
People’s Organisations Counter the UN Food Systems Summit The UN Food Systems Summit will take place in September in New York during the UN General Assembly, preceded by a Pre-Summit in Rome from 26 to 28 July. The Pre-summit will…
WATCH the 40th Anniversary Code and Global Breastfeeding Protection Day
WATCH THE EVENT HERE 40th Anniversary of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and launch of World Breastfeeding Protection Day. 21 May 2021 IBFAN films created by IBFAN Mexico and Brazil IBFAN film 7 minutes IBFAN Chronology: A…
74th World Health Assembly – stifling the voice of Civil Society
IBFAN is once again following the proceedings of the WHA74 taking place virtually from 24 May to 1 June 2021. This year, as part of the WHO Reform agenda WHO is now proposing to accept only grouped statements from NSAs…
Why the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Initiative is a threat to child health.
Powerpoint presentations: N4G GBC (2) Multistakeholder power Why the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) global pledging initiative is a threat to child health – how industry infiltrates the baby food policy space. “At a time when poverty rates, economic disparity,…
Bill Gates – vaccines, Lab-Grown Breast Milk and other things
The People v. Bill Gates Linsey McGoey https://www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2021/may/the-people-v.-bill-gates LRB blog, London Review of Books, 4 May 2021 https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/03/podcasts/the-daily/coroanvirus-vaccine-bill-gates-covax.html?showTranscript=1 Can Bill Gates Vaccinate the World NYT Podcast http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.m875 Toll-free link: http://bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.m875?ijkey=GJx0GA7Fxjp2kE8&keytype=ref Scientists Want to Ditch Formula for Lab-Grown Breast Milk Formula…
Boris Johnson, ‘dead bodies’ and selective amnesia on the EU
Guardian Letters Tue 27 Apr 2021 17.53 BST Tory sleaze and Boris Johnson’s careless words and deeds Les Bright, Denis MacShane, Martyn Taylor, David Wall, Patti Rundall and David Huggon respond to an article by Alan Finlayson and the latest…
Alarm over WHO Foundation ‘Thank you’ to Nestle
All those who know and worry about Nestlé’s appalling record on baby foods, water and ultra-processed products were appalled to see a Tweet from the newly formed WHO Foundation, thanking Nestlé for a donation. Please ask WHO Director General Dr…
Baby Food industry refuses to follow the Code – industry-inspired Call to Action is concluded
Baby Food industry refuses to follow the Code – Call to Action is concluded “…The BMS industry as a whole has sent a message that it is unwilling to fulfill its obligation to comply with global health policy that is…
Mark Thomas catches up on Nestlé
what’s Nestlé up to now? Join Mark Thomas, Geoff Atkinson and I for a look back over the years. The YouTube film will be available from the 25th April for one week. TICKETS £5 Move to the second hour for…
Australia: consultation on the industry voluntary self-regulatory agreement (MAIF)
Consultation on the Australian voluntary self-regulatory agreement (MAIF) The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is consulting on an application by the Infant Nutrition Council (INC) for re-authorisation for current and future manufacturers in, and importers into, Australia of infant…
New Lancet series: Revisiting maternal and child undernutrition
Revisiting maternal and child undernutrition in low-income and middle-income countries: variable progress towards an unfinished agenda Prof Cesar G Victora, MD Prof Parul Christian, DrPH Luis Paulo Vidaletti, MSc Giovanna Gatica-Domínguez, PhD Purnima Menon, PhD Prof Robert E Black, MD…
Food Standards Agency International Conference
I attended the Food Standards Agency International conference today. (note that the FSA is no longer responsible for nutrition in England and Wales) Supporting an evolving world – International co-operation and regulation Chair: Steven Wearne, Vice Chair at Codex…
Journal of Human Lactation interviews
The Journal of Human Lactation has been publishing a series of interviews of people who have been instrumental in the formation of the Code and Resolution. Here are 3 of the interviews that were conducted by Maryse Arendt, IBCLC, BSEd. …
CFS47 Statements made by Member States, the UN and others
Some notable Excerpts from Statements made on February 10th WHO (and UNICEF) In the context of the negotiation we have expressed the concern that, in the spirit of compromise the text of the Voluntary Guidelines does not fully reflect the…