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 the appropriate language) and a Council Resolution on marketing of breast-milk substitutes in third countries by Community-based manufacturers. (Official Journal C 172 , 08/07/1992) that included accountability/reporting procedures:

“Whereas the application of the International Code provides without doubt an excellent way to achieve this in these countries … 1. The Community will contribute to the application of appropriate marketing practices for breast-milk substitutes in third countries.2……the Commission will instruct its delegations in third countries to serve as contact points for the competent authorities. Any complaints or criticisms with respect to the marketing practices of a manufacturer based in the Community could be notified to them.3. The Commission will be ready to examine such cases and to assist in the search for a satisfactory solution for all parties concerned.”

Perhaps now is the time for all large exporting countries to do something similar and take responsibility for code violations by their companies…

Council Resolution of 18 June 1992 on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes in third countries by Community- based manufacturers  Official Journal C 172 , 08/07/1992 P. 0001 – 0001

EU Export Directive Council Directive 92/52/EEC of 18 June 1992 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae intended for export to third countries

CODE OF ETHICS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN FOOD INCLUDING CONCESSIONAL AND FOOD AID TRANSACTIONS

ARTICLE 4 CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR FOOD IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE

4.4 National authorities should be aware of their obligations under the International Health Regulations (2005) with regard to food safety events, including notification, reporting or verification of events to the World Health Organisation (WHO). They should also make sure that the international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes and relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly (WHA) setting forth principles for the protection and promotion of breastfeeding be observed.

https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/sh-proxy/en/?lnk=1&url=https%253A%252F%252Fworkspace.fao.org%252Fsites%252Fcodex%252FStandards%252FCXC%2B20-1979%252FCXP_020e.pdf