IBFAN-ICDC LEGAL UPDATE January – September 2o17 CLICK HERE Topics highlighted in this issue: IBFAN-ICDC Launches its 11th Global Monitoring Report Reviewing a “Pioneer-Law” which predates the Code in Papua New Guinea Code at the ASEAN Forum Code for Thailand: One…
Babies and mothers worldwide failed by lack of investment in breastfeeding
CLICK HERE for UNICEF analysis of Press coverage JOINT PRESS RELEASE 1 August 2017 New analysis shows an investment of US$4.70 per newborn could generate US$300 billion in economic gains by 2025 GENEVA/NEW YORK, 1 August 2017 – No country in the…
Natural History Museum criticised for hosting promotion of unnecessary follow-on formula in tie-in with Danone (Aptamil) and Time Out London
Baby Milk Action press release 25 July 2017 The Natural History Museum is hosting an event on 25 July 2017 promoting Danone’s Aptamil follow-on formula to parents. The museum is facing criticism for undermining advice from NHS Choices to parents, which…
To be trustworthy Codex standards should be protected from commercial influence
To be trustworthy Codex standards should be protected from commercial influence Click Here for the webcast of ‘NGO’ Panel Wednesday 7-8pm 19th July chaired by the outgoing Codex Chair, Awilo Ochieng Pernet. Panel Members: AOAC International (Erik Konings, Past President)…
Julie Crawford Award 2017: Bernadette Wood
Protecting breastfeeding from commercial in influence BFLG press release 28 June 2017 (National Breastfeeding Celebration Week in England began on 26th June) The Julie Crawford Award for Breastfeeding Support for 2017 has been won by Bernadette (Bernie) Wood, a Health…
Bernadette Wood acceptance speech for Julie Crawford Award 2017
The Julie Crawford Award for Breastfeeding Support for 2017 has been won by Bernadette (Bernie) Wood, a Health Visitor from Suffolk County Council’s Children’s and Young Peoples Services. She was presented the Award today on behalf of the Baby Feeding…
Poet Hollie McNish is Baby Milk Action’s new Patron
Press release – 28 June 2017 (National Breastfeeding Celebration Week in England began on 26th June) Baby Milk Action is delighted to announce that poet Hollie McNish has agreed to become a patron of the not-for-profit organisation, which campaigns to…
European Food Safety Authority reaffirms the need for strict controls
Latest science further protects infants The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its final guidance on 31st May on the assessment needed for food for babies under the age of 16 weeks. Following a consultation EFSA maintains the requirement for an extended one…
Will SUN push its way into India?
CLICK HERE for India Saga: Civil Society Organizations Raise Concern Over India’s Possibility Of Joining SUN Movement Aarti Dhar 22 May 2017 The Times of India Don’t join SUN, a nutrition drive Its ties with food MNCs create Conflicts of Interest…
Open letter to WHO DG candidates: keep policy and priority setting free of commercial influence
Open letter Response from Dr Sania Nishtar Response from Dr David Nabarro IBFAN has not expressed a preference for any candidate for the post of WHO Director General. However, we have written to all three to ask how they intend to safeguard WHO from…
Intervention by IBFAN-GIFA at Nestle shareholder meeting 2017
Mr. Chief Executive Officer, My name is Camille Selleger and I speak on behalf of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), recognized as an essential partner by WHO, UNICEF and the UN. In this venue, many people already know…
New Nestlé management asked to change direction on baby milk marketing at shareholder meeting 2017
Baby Milk Action press release 6 April 2017 The Nestlé shareholder meeting on 6 April appointed a new board of directors under the Chairmanship of Paul Bulcke, formerly the Chief Executive Officer. Mark Schneider was appointed as new CEO in January 2017.…
Getting messages right – revised DEC appeal
STOP PRESS Manila Bulletin: DOH bans donation of breastmilk substitutes during disasters June 3, 2017, 3:20 PM By Betheena Kae Unite http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/06/03/doh-bans-donation-of-breastmilk-substitutes-during-disasters/ We contacted the aid agencies and complained to the Disaster’s Emergency Committee (DEC) about its appeal published on…
Baby feeding products marketing Bill to be debated in Parliament as monitoring report shows how companies mislead parents
Press release 24 March 2017 UPDATE: The Bill was not debated due to an over-packed Parliamentary agenda and lack of time. Alison Thewliss MP has instead announced an inquiry into Infant Feeding Services. This has now been suspended until after…
New 84-country IBFAN report launched at World Breastfeeding Conference shows progress in helping mothers to breastfeed
World Fails to Invest in the Youngest to Reap for Development Johannesburg: December 11, 2016. On the occasion of IBFAN’s Second World Breastfeeding Conference Dr. M.J Phaahla, Deputy Minister of Health, Government of the Republic of South Africa, today released…
Global standard-setting committee puts child health before trade
PDF version: ibfan-codex-pr-2016-4 Click here for background documents including official report of the meeting and participants list. Global standard-setting committee puts child health before trade 38th Codex Alimentarius Nutrition Committee, Hamburg, Germany 7th December 2016 Codex Alimentarius, the FAO/WHO body that…
Breastfeeding a matter of human rights, say UN experts, urging action on formula milk
Breastfeeding a matter of human rights, say UN experts, urging action on formula milk GENEVA (22 November 2016) – Breastfeeding is a human rights issue for babies and mothers and should be protected and promoted for the benefit of both,…
FORMULA MARKETING LAW CLEARS FIRST COMMONS HURDLE
Feeding Products for Babies and Children (Advertising and Promotion) Bill http://www.alisonthewliss.scot/feeding-products-for-babies-and-children-advertising-and-promotion-bill/ News Release from Alison Thewliss MP Wednesday 16th November 2016 FORMULA MARKETING LAW CLEARS FIRST COMMONS HURDLE A new law to tighten up advertising of formula milk has…
UK governments can do more to support mothers who want to breastfeed for longer
WBTi report launch, Westminster, 15 November 2015, 19:30 (RSVP to attend the launch) World Breastfeeding Trends initiative report shows how UK governments can help empower mothers to breastfeed for as long as they wish – Report scores countries on action taken…
Daily Mail, Tesco car parking vouchers and the anti-regulation agenda
The media has picked up on a story of a mother who was refused a car parking voucher when she visited a Tesco store because she had bought only infant formula and not a qualifying product. The reporting of it raises much wider issues…
REPORT OF THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD TO THE 2016 UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY: NUTRITION – MALNUTRITION
With other members of Civil Society, we met the Special Rapporteur in Rome last week at the Committee on Food Security. She also came to our side meeting on Conflicts of Interest. Here is her promised report on Nutrition. REPORT OF…
Press Release:National WIC Association Statement on Infant Formula Manufacturers
CLICK HERE Press Release: National WIC Association Statement on Infant Formula Manufacturers September 10, 2016 For Immediate Release September 10, 2016 Contact: Hannah Shultz hshultz@nwica.org 319-541-7357 Denver, CO: This morning, National WIC Association (NWA) Board of Directors Chair, Donna Bister,…
Formula promotion in breach of regulations increases in the UK while Trading Standards Institute highlights cuts to consumer protection
Baby Milk Action press release 16 August 2016 Baby Milk Action is receiving many more reports of retailers in the UK promoting infant formula in breach of formula marketing regulations as Nestlé and Danone step up their competition. This comes as a…
England, NI and Wales: Improvement Notices introduced today to enforce EU formula and baby food marketing rules – companies face criminal charges for non compliance
Baby Milk Action press release 20 July 2016 The UK Government and devolved authorities have today introduced Statutory Instruments updating formula and baby food marketing laws in line with new EU regulations. Although the Regulations fall far short of international minimum standards repeatedly…
Brexit and what it means for our work protecting infant and young child health
Click here to download this briefing as a pdf file. The UK has now voted in the referendum on its membership of the European Union (EU). There are pros and cons to any decision and one so momentous for the…
UN Committee on the Rights of the Child calls on UK government to better support breastfeeding and regulate the formula industry
Baby Milk Action press release 10 June 2016 Update 14 July 2016: Recommendations from the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights added The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has issued its concluding observations on the UK…
Breastfeeding welcome everywhere says Irish group – exposing Danone marketing strategy
Breastfeeding Welcome Here BFLGI Press Release – see bottom of page for Baby Milk Action’s comment Breastfeeding welcome here? No thanks! Breastfeeding welcome everywhere Leading health advocate organisation denounces Danone’s attempt to make breastfeeding appear a niche activity. The Baby Feeding Law Group…
Trade vs Health – WHO opens the door to big business while trying to protect babies.
PDF: WHA69 IBFAN PR FINAL.2 CLICK HERE for TV Documentary WHO: in the claws of the lobbyists? MIYCN Resolution Guidance on ending the inappropriate marketing of foods for infants and young children WHA 69/7 Add 1 FENSA RESOLUTION PRESS RELEASE Trade…
PRESS RELEASE: US trade lobby ignores global health concerns
Press Release (PDF) PRESS RELEASE: US trade lobby ignores global health concerns 69th World Health Assembly 26th May, 2016 At this year’s World Health Assembly in Geneva – three hot topics are on the agenda: baby foods, WHO’s interactions with Business…
World Health Organization’s independence and integrity are non-negotiable
Press Release World Health Organization’s independence and integrity are non-negotiable Civil Society Statement 60 Geneva, 24 May 2016 –Civil Society Organizations and Social Movements call upon WHO Member States not to compromise the independence, integrity and credibility of the…
Press Release:World Health Organization’s independence and integrity are non-negotiable
FENSA_handout_a Civil Society Statement 64 (PAGE DOWN for the Full list of 66) FENSA Press Release_ASG Press Release World Health Organization’s independence and integrity are non-negotiable Geneva, 24 May 2016 –Civil Society Organizations and Social Movements call upon WHO Member…
Members of Parliament to hear how to protect mothers and babies from aggressive baby milk marketing as UK is assessed as failing to protect their rights
Baby Milk Action presentation in Parliament 17 May 2016 – 9:30 am Update: Click here to watch the presentation. (Follow on Twitter #APPGIFI – tweet you MP to ask if they are attending – MP contact details) Baby Milk Action will present…
Laws to protect breastfeeding inadequate in most countries
CLICK HERE for web stream of the launch event CLICK HERE for press release on WHO website CLICK HERE for the new report Joint news release WHO/UNICEF/IBFAN Laws to protect breastfeeding inadequate in most countries GENEVA/NEW YORK, 9 May 2016 –…
Launch of joint WHO/UNICEF IBFAN monitoring report
Launch of new WHO/UNICEF/IBFAN Report: Implementing the International Code of Breast-milk Substitutes in Countries: Time to Accelerate Action Followed by showing of Tigers WHO, UNICEF and IBFAN are hosting an evening of discussion on national implementation of the International…
Royal College of Paediatrics to debate baby food funding
STOP PRESS: the motion was passed just now. Congratulations to the RCPCH Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health to debate baby food funding Annual General Meeting, 27th April, Liverpool Motion for debate: “In order for RCPCH as a professional body…
Paediatricians call on royal college to drop financial ties to infant formula firms
TEXT OF THE MOTION TO BE VOTED ON 27th April 2016: “In order for RCPCH as a professional body to avoid institutional conflicts of interest and thus maintain its reputation as an unbiased, independent educator and advocate for child health,…
Nestle shareholder meeting asked by Baby Milk Action to remember impact of unethical baby milk marketing on 150th anniversary
Baby Milk Action press release 8 April 2016 The 150th anniversary of the foundation of Nestlé was a major theme of the company’s shareholder meeting on 7 April 2016. Baby Milk Action/IBFAN-UK and IBFAN-GIFA attended to raise concerns about baby…
Nestle press releasing information on breastfeeding and protein to promote SMA brand – while hiding information from parents on why its formula is on clearance sale
Baby Milk Action press release 7 March 2016 (Members of the public in the UK can click here to support the campaign in Parliament to enforce formula marketing regulations) Issuing the results of a survey is an old trick for…
As Nestle boasts of infant formula sales growth, Botswana police file charges over aggressive marketing, while Tesco puts formula with “excessive protein” on clearance sale in breach of UK law
Baby Milk Action press release 18 February 2016 Nestle today launched its latest full-year results, reporting 4.2% organic growth, stating: “Infant formula including growing-up milks, delivered good growth”. This growth comes from systematic violations of baby milk marketing standards adopted…
Botswana Gazette : Police to Charge Nestle for Violations
The following article appears in the Botswana Gazette (17 – 23 February 2016). It comes as Nestle boasted of 4.2% organic growth in launching its financial report on 18 February, claiming: “Infant formula including growing-up milks, delivered good growth.” Botswana…
Nestlé ends contract with IAAF for fear of reputational damage.
Nestlé ends sponsorship contract with IAAF for fear of reputational damage “Today’s news that Nestlé has ended its contract with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Global Kids Athletics scheme a year early for fear of damaging its public image took my breath away. Nestlé’s Public…
Mother support and health worker organisation call for action as Lancet Breastfeeding Series brands UK worst in the world for breastfeeding at 12 months
Baby Milk Action press release 9 January 2016 Update 9 January: Government promises England will learn from other countries in UK to address failures highlighted in Lancet Breastfeeding Series (see below). Leading mother support and health worker organisations in the…
Civil Society warns of corporate takeover of the World Health Organisation
Civil Society warns of corporate takeover of the World Health Organisation 26th January 2016 World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, CLICK HERE for PDF version: FENSA PR 26.1.16 CLICK Here for the Letter from 57 NGOs FENSAB138_7-en latest draft of FENSA (January…
European Parliament votes for big reductions in sugar in baby foods and prohibitions on labelling at too early an age.
CLICK HERE for the new DELEGATED ACTS Click Here for BMJ article. bmj.i553.full PRESS RELEASE European Parliament votes for big reductions in sugar in baby foods and prohibitions on labelling at too early an age. 20th January 2016 European Parliament, Strasbourg …
STOP PRESS: MEPs call for sugar levels in baby foods to be reduced.
CLICK HERE for WHO comment on sugar and baby foods CLICK here for Mike Brady’s Blog with extra links. PRESS RELEASE MEPs call for sugar levels in baby foods to be reduced 14th January 2016 The vote in the European…
Opportunity for MEPs to protect child health and prevent obesity
CLICK HERE and HERE for media coverage CLICK HERE for Mike Brady’s Campaign Blog about how you can help stop the misleading adverts and bad marketing CLICK HERE for MEPs on the ENVI Committee. Please ask as many as…
WHO: Unease over seconded philanthropic foundation staff to top management
Thanks to Third World Network for this report – page down for the secondment table TWN Info on Health and UN Sustainable Development www.twn.my WHO: Unease over seconded philanthropic foundation staff to top management Geneva, 9 December (TWN) – Philanthropic…
Hilarious book to raise funds for Baby Milk Action
It’s been a busy time at Baby Milk Action. As our Policy Director, Patti Rundall, sometimes says, “We haven’t got time to swing a cat in this office”. Now, in time for Christmas, Gabrielle Palmer, author of The Politics of…
Brazilian law is signed at last
3rd November 2015 Very important news from Brazil: After many decades of deliberation and struggle by our IBFAN colleagues in Brazil, a Brazilian law that bans advertising of formulas, pacifiers, bottles and all products that can interfere on breastfeeding – Regulation 11265/2006…
Nestlé shifts position on breastfeeding, but refuses to change formula marketing practices in Nestlé-Free Week
Baby Milk Action press release 5 November 2015 International Nestlé-Free Week is a time for people who boycott Nestlé over the way it pushes baby milk to do more to promote the boycott – and for those who don’t boycott to…