WHO Daily update: 26 May 2025 Countries commit to regulate the digital marketing of formula milk and baby foods In a new resolution, Member States agreed to expand the provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the…
Baby food pouches – why they should be taken off the market
BBC Panorama reveals the shocking truth about baby pouches Highlighting important new research on their poor nutritional quality, this programme on BBC Panorama exposed the growing concerns about commercial baby food pouches. In our view, the programme could have gone…
UK Government authority calls for follow-up formula ad ban and generic labelling
BFLG-UK response to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) infant and follow-on formula market study: 8 April 2025 UK government authority calls for follow-up formula ad ban and generic labelling Press release 14th February 2025 Baby Milk Action/ IBFAN UK…
WHO Member States call for the regulation of Digital marketing of baby foods
Press Release Read on IBFAN’s website WHO Member States call for the regulation of Digital marketing of baby foods 10th February 2025 In the face of the budgetary and political crisis following the USA withdrawal from WHO, the 156th…
Australia news
https://www.competitiontribunal.gov.au/ The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (the ACCC) has issued a determination in respect of the application for revocation and substitution lodged by the Infant Nutrition Council on 25 March 2024. The Infant Nutrition Council sought authorisation to…
WHO EB 156: funding, governance, Digital Marketing, emergencies
156th WHO Executive Board Meeting Feb 3-11th UPDATE ON THE DIGITAL MARKETING RESOLUTION A Draft Decision Regulating the digital marketing of breast-milksubstitutes proposed by 21 Member States (Armenia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iraq,…
Why WHO is important & why IBFAN is a ‘critical friend’
Why WHO is important and why IBFAN is a ‘critical friend’ The USA announced its intention to withdraw from WHO on 20th January As a ‘critical friend’ of WHO for nearly 50 years, we consider this to be worrying, not…
US threats to Pull out of WHO, Nigel Farage’s new group linked to nicotine products
Financial Times: Donald Trump’s team seeks to Pull out of WHO ‘on Day One’ https://www.ft.com/content/e6061ed5-2703-4b8a-9948-a557aaaf52c2 https://www.actionwh.org/our-mission Action on World Health – Take Back Control Health policies that infringe on national sovereignty must remain under the control of nation states…
Thailand Bans Advertising for Toddler Milk
Regulation Thailand Bans Advertising for Toddler Milk by Heather Vogell Dec. 24 2024 With new rules, Thailand joins three dozen countries that have taken steps to regulate toddler milk ads. The action follows a ProPublica investigation that detailed how the…
Codex opens the door to exploitation of emergencies – Australian example
47th Codex Alimentarius Commission 25/11/2024 – 30/11/2024 | Geneva, Switzerland Here are some of IBFAN’s statements Agenda Item 5: Labelling Exemptions in Emergencies:IBFAN warned that without extra safeguards, the new Codex Guidelines would open the door to commercial exploitation. A…
Codex dodges climate crisis and begins a risky emergency guideline
IBFAN interventions at CAC 47 – Video clips PHOTOS above all copyright © FAO/Roberto Sciotti Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC47) 25/11/2024 – 30/11/2024 Geneva, Switzerland WEBCAST DRAFT REPORT Participants Codex Executive Committee (CX/EXEC 87) 18 – 22 November 2024…
CMA (Competition and Markets Authority) publishes Interim Report on formula marketings
BMA CMA response Dec 2024. BFLG RESPONSE. Statement from First Steps Nutrition Trust and Baby Feeding Law Group Press release Infant formula: CMA sets out concerns and potential solutions CMA interim report outlines concerns regarding the infant formula market –…
Codex dithers on sugar and opens door to risky labelling in emergencies and through technology
Codex dithers on sugar and opens door to risky labelling in emergencies. Codex Committee on Food Labelling. CCFL48 27/10/2024 – 01/11/2024 | Quebec City, Canada The WHO/FAO global standards setting body, Codex Alimentarius, met twice in October –in Dresden, Germany…
Compilation: Blogs about former US President Donald Trump
2015: Bolton, Trump, Johnson – how food standards get lowered “Improper political interference” in US baby foods puts health and scientific integrity at stake . 2018 Conflicts of Interest and US pressure at the Codex meeting in Rome…
Petition launched and delivered to Nestlé’s Swiss HQ with 10m symbolic sugar cubes
Media coverage: HERE HERE HERE HERE Nestlé am Pranger: Protest in Vevey nach Skandal um Babynahrung – 20 Minuten Nestlé visé par une pétition contre le sucre dans les aliments pour bébés – rts.ch – Economie Sucre dans les…
Australian questions industry’s weak voluntary agreement
Draft Determination. Application for revocation of AA1000534 and the substitution of authorisation AA1000665 lodged by Infant Nutrition Council Ltd in respect of the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement, and associated guidelines. Authorisation number: AA1000665 Date…
New Sponsorship resources from WHO
Three new WHO resources support WHO’s recommendation (1) that, in order to promote, protect and support breastfeeding, prevent obesity and noncommunicable diseases, promote healthy diets, and ensure that caregivers receive clear and accurate information on feeding, companies that market foods…
Last chance to Support the addition of Exclusive Breastfeeding as an indicator in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Last chance to support the inclusion of an EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING indicator in the Sustainable Development Goals. DEADLINE Thursday 15th August 2024 Deadline Today: 15th August 2024 Here is the link to the submission page where you can add your details and…
UK News: specialised formulas more likely to fuel obesity
Special baby milk ‘more likely to fuel obesity, tooth decay and digestive problems’ “Nutritionists say nine in 10 babies in the UK given formulas designed for those allergic to cow’s milk do not actually have an allergy.” An Editorial in…
COMPILATION: Why Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships are problematic
Compilation: Why Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships are so problematic The need for sound information on infant and young child feeding is at the heart of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and the 20 World Health Assembly Resolutions that have…
U.S challenges on baby formula regulations in more than half a dozen countries
The Biden Administration Says Its Trade Policy Puts People Over Corporations. Documents on Baby Formula Show Otherwise. U.S. officials have challenged baby formula regulations in more than half a dozen countries, sometimes after manufacturers complained. Critics say the efforts are…
HISTORY OF THE DEADLY FIGHT AGAINST THE FORMULA INDUSTRY
Putting Babies Before Profits- THE HISTORY OF THE DEADLY FIGHT AGAINST THE FORMULA INDUSTRY. Alive and Thrive
COMPILATION: Research
Petition: 40K people call for immediate halt to an unethical formula study in Uganda and Guinea-Bissau Is ZeroSeparation Astroturfing? How business groups use babies to recruit allies New Lancet series: Revisiting maternal and child undernutrition Nestlé cancels its…
WHO: Reaching informed decision-making on engaging with private sector entities for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: a practical tool
Final publication published 2024. Supporting member states in reaching informed decision-making on engaging with private sector entities for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: a practical tool. World Health Organization. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/378209. License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO IBFAN and many…
COMPILATION: Codex Press Releases and comments
Codex Press Releases and comments over the years What is Codex and why does IBFAN attend? Codex is a joint United Nations body created in 1963 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the FAO to develop food standards, guidelines…
Will our UK politicians protect UK rights to legislate in the public interest?
Part of the new Government’s strategy is to grow the economy. Based on IBFAN’s long experience advocating for policy coherence with WHO recommendations we urge that any new Trade deals that the UK enters must not be allowed to…
Mexico, Brazil, Kenya, Lesotho and Bangladesh join Side Event at the 77th WHA
77th World Health Assembly 27th May – 1st June 2024 CLICK HERE and HERE for the webcasts and documentation Executive Board EB155 WHO/UNICEF/IBFAN Code status report 2024 FIND YOUR NATIONAL LAW on IBFAN’s Website REGISTER Digital Marketing Side Event Governments…
Media coverage of the sugar report
Media Coverage Sri Lanka Allegation of double standards in Nestle baby products: Nestle Lanka says no added sugar The Sunday Times India Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India Nestle’s Suresh Narayanan on Nespresso & nutraceuticals, sugar in baby food controversy…
How the US waged a Global Campaign againstBaby formula Regulations
CLICK HERE for the full story https://www.propublica.org/article/how-america-waged-global-campaign-against-baby-formula-regulation-thailand?utm_source=sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=majorinvestigations&utm_content=feature MORE FROM THIS INVESTIGATION Documents Show Internal Clash Before U.S. Officials Pushed to Weaken Toddler Formula Rules Government documents obtained by ProPublica show a stark rift between trade and health officials over international…
Ireland called on to co-sponsor a Resolution on Digital Marketing
Senator Pauline Oreilly calls on Ireland to co-sponsor Brazil on a WHA Resolution on Digital Marketing. 21st March 2024 https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachtas-tv/seanad-eireann-live/ Fantastic speech by Senator Pauline Oreilly just now in the Seanad Éireann. * Minister Niall Collins, responded for Government…
2023: SACN report on diets of young children
Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years find formulas contribute 50% of free sugars intake in consumers Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). July 2023. SACN’s webpage Conclusion on Drinks Evidence from DNSIYC and NDNS indicated that: formula milks…
Digital Marketing is out of control – Brazil calls for a Resolution to protect mothers and babies
Douglas Nascimento Santana, speaking for Brazil, said that they intend to propose a World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution on the digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes. IBFAN PR EB154. Transcript of EB154 debate. Excerpts MS NSA. EB154 Recordings of IBFAN statements…
Jan 2024:IBFAN statements at the 154th WHO Executive Board Meeting
Agenda Item: 20. Maternal, infant and young child nutrition. WEBCAST AGENDA ITEM 20 – MIYCN rough transcript of EB154 MIYCN PDF of all 6 IBFAN Statements. Recordings of IBFAN statements IBFAN on MIYCN Friday 10pm WHO should be proud of the…
Digital Marketing is out of control -a WHA Resolution is urgently needed
Digital Marketing is out of control – a Resolution is needed to protect mothers and babies WHO 154th Executive Board, WHO HQ Geneva, 22 27 January- 2024. 2024 is a reporting year for Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN) Digital…
Delay, Delay, Delay – industry interference in Sri Lanka
Stop Press: Sri Lanka’s Sunday Times contacted Nestle Lanka about the ‘double standards’ exposé of is added sugar. A spokesperson responded: “We have been providing nutritious, tasty and safe products to Sri Lankans for over 115 years. Our products comply with…
Must read new book: The Bill Gates Problem by Tim Schwab
“The Bill Gates Problem: Reckoning with the Myth of the Good Billionaire” Now available in USA, UK, India, Germany & beyond timschwab2020@gmail.com
2023:Codex green-lights wasteful, sweetened Ultra-Processed drinks for older babies
2023 Codex green-lights wasteful, sweetened, Ultra-Processed drinks for older babies 46th Codex Commission meeting: 27.11.23 – 2.12.23 Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Rome March 23 Nov 22 FINAL REPORT List of participants WEB-STREAM IBFAN has been attending the 46th…
Women and Children at Greatest Risk from Climate Crisis
IBFAN Health and Environmental Impacts 2024 Global Plastics Treaty IBFAN Statement Cop 28 2023, Dubai (UAE). IBFAN GIFA Statement COP27 – Can lessons be learned and the UPF trade controlled? IBFAN Cop 27 ENG IBFAN COP 26 2021 Statement for…
WHO Guideline on prevention and management of Wasting
WHO Guideline on prevention and management of Wasting and nutritional oedema (acute malnutrition) Information on the GL WHO issues new guideline to tackle acute malnutrition in children under five 20 November 2023 News release Reading time: 2 min (497 words)…
WHO Regional Committee for Europe: Slovenia calls for support for breastfeeding in emergencies.
Regional Committee for Europe: Slovenia calls for support and protection for women who want to breastfeed in emergencies. “..We must not forget about the continued care for people living with chronic conditions, as well as prevention and health promotion- for…
WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age
PDF of Guideline WHO link to GUIDELINE WHO Guideline for complementary feeding of infants and young children 6–23 months of age. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023 This guideline supersedes the Guiding Principles for Complementary Feeding of the Breastfed Child (1)…
Baby Milk Action comments on UK trade strategy.
UK accession to Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Inquiry Following the announcement of the UK’s accession on 16 July, the UK International Agreements Committee is reactivating its inquiry into CPTPP and is gathering new evidence, regarding the…
Launch of the WHO Civil Society Commission
Launch of the WHO Civil Society Commission Update, Background, Perspectives… The WHO Civil Society Commission is a new body launched by the Director-General of the World Health Organization in August 2023. The mandate of the Commission is to strengthen dialogue…
IBFAN comments on WHO Consultation on digital marketing
Online public consultation: draft guidance on regulatory measures aimed at restricting digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes Deadline of submission: 17 September 2023 WHO Guidance on digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes IBFAN response Baby Milk Action Digital 17.9 (the draft guidance…
Summer update – WBW – Global Congress
s World Breastfeeding Week (1-7 August) – Making a Difference for Working Parents REGISTER HERE for the Global Breastfeeding Coalition Webinar at 2pm Geneva time. The right to maternity protection for mothers who work outside the home is the theme of this…
EU Baby food laws retained for the UK
NEWS: Retained EU Law (REUL) Act published Thanks to the Baby Feeding law Group for alerting us to this news Following months of deliberation and considerations from the Houses of Lords and Commons respectively, the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform)…
Remembering George Allegiah and his report on the Nestlé Boycott
Francois Perroud defending Nestlé’s free supplies policy. March 1989 BBC report on the re-launch of the Nestlé Boycott – 23rd March 1989 So sad to hear that BBC journalist George Allegiah has died. In 1989 he stayed on…
World Breastfeeding Week – 2023 – Making a difference for Working Parents
The theme of the 2023 World Breastfeeding Week (the annual event run by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action that started in 1992) is ‘Making a Difference for Working Parents’ Some of the social media resources and events taking place:…
WHO Hosts the first Global Congress on Code implementation
WHO’s first Global Congress on the implementation of the International Code – baby feeding industry not invited. 20-22 June 2023, WHO HQ, Geneva, Switzerland. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) hosted the first Global…
WHO’s first Global Congress on the Code
WHO Global Congress on the Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes This Congress was a first for WHO since the Code’s adoption in 1981. For three days, over 400 delegates from 130 countries, worked in Plenary and in…