We are all devastated by the awful news of the murder of Jo Cox MP (nee Leadbeater) on Thursday, 16th June. Baby Milk Action has a lot to thank her for. Obituaries: Click here Click Here Jo was political advisor to Glenys Kinnock when…
22nd June Conflicts of Interest in Global Nutrition Research
22nd June Evidence Live Conference Centre for Evidence Based Medicine/BMJ/University of Oxford. I will be joining Prof Talukder for a session on Conflicts of Interest in Global Nutrition Research -still some tickets left for this conference 22-24th June
Health claims on foods for Infants and Young Children
Stop Press Following the meeting in June the Commission has started a consultation with Member States (MS) asking several key question (see DH BULLETIN – Follow-up questions to the Commission Working Group on hea… about their views on whether claims…
Resolution (WHA 69.9) tackling inappropriate marketing adopted
28th May 2016: Straight after the adoption of the Resolution WHA 69.9 Guidance on ending the inappropriate marketing of foods for infants and young children WHA 69/7 Add 1 Also adopted was the very worrying WHA 69.10 Above from…
Gabrielle Palmer and Martin Wagner speaking in London 14th June
EU parliament slams aid scheme that uses big agribusiness to ‘feed Africa’
STOP PRESS CLICK HERE for yesterday’s vote in the EU Parliament slamming of the New Alliance Aid scheme CLICK HERE for IBFAN’s concerns about the role of business in the Scaling Up Nutrition initiative EU parliament slams aid scheme that uses big agribusiness…
Concerns about the role of businesses in Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN)
STOP PRESS CLICK HERE for yesterday’s vote in the EU Parliament slamming of the New Alliance Aid scheme PDF version: SUN IBFAN June132 2 2 page version prepared in 2014: SUN GAIN 2014 Right to Food and Nutrition Watch – the Business…
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…
IBFAN Statements on Obesity, Emergencies and WHO Governance
IBFAN statements at the 140th WHO Executive Board Meeting (23rd January-1st February 2017) Geneva Two days were spent in closed meetings for the selection of the short-list of three for the post of the new Director General of WHO. CLICK…
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…
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…
Some useful new publications on FENSA, NCDs and baby foods
IBFAN NCD_GCM_statement WHO Engagement With Outside Actors: Delegates Tight-Lipped, Civil Society Worried 24/05/2016 BY CATHERINE SAEZ, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WATCH Is Jamie Oliver’s food revolution a marketing tool or a public health campaign?http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/jamie-oliver%E2%80%99s-food-revolution-marketing-tool-or-public-health-campaign-43685 Whose health_ article Lhotska Gupta Whose health? The crucial negotiations…
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…
Nestlé Wants to Sell You Both Sugary Snacks and Diabetes Pills
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2016-05-05/nestl-s-sugar-empire-is-on-a-health-kick Nestlé Wants to Sell You Both Sugary Snacks and Diabetes Pills Take two Butterfingers and call me in the morning. May 5, 2016 Matthew Campbell MattCampbel Corinne Gretler gretlerc Reprints
New IBFAN comments: WHO Guidance on Ending inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and Young Children
New IBFAN comments on Resolution on WHO Guidance on Ending inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and Young Children Following the meeting of Member States on 2nd May, there will be another meeting on 20th May to discuss the Resolution…
EFSA and the revolving door
EFSA and the revolving door. http://corporateeurope.org/efsa/2016/04/telling-mistake April 29th 2016 EFSA A telling mistake Restrictions imposed on new Communications director at the EU Food Safety Authority are absurd and betray original hiring mistake Ms Barbara Gallani, who will become EFSA’s Director…
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 –…
EU Parliament votes for Trade Secrets Protection Directive
Some really worrying news: Last month the EU Parliament voted in favour of the Trade Secrets Protection Directive – that harmonises the rules on the protection of trade secrets. If this approved by the EU Council will be binding on all…
Launch of joint WHO/UNICEF IBFAN monitoring report
Launch of new WHO/UNICEF/IBFAN Report: Breast-milk Substitutes: National Implementation of the International Code Status Report 2016 Followed by showing of Tigers WHO, UNICEF and IBFAN are hosting an evening of discussion on national implementation of the International Code of…
UK Paediatricians vote to end formula company sponsorship
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health AGM, 27th April, Liverpool STOP PRESS BMJ 19th April 2016 bmj.i2221.full BMJ 29th April 2016 bmj.i2459.29.4.16 Tony Waterson’s Blog CLICK HERE The vote on the following Motion was passed just now. The implications will…
Media coverage and more on WHO’s FENSA
First a very useful paper setting out IBFANs Concerns regarding the proposed Framework of engagement with NSA This was a Discussion paper for the 68th WHA in 2015. IBFAN_2015_05_FENSA_concerns FINAL Media coverage on WHO’s Framework of Engagement with Non State Actors…
Commission Report on Young Child Formula
The Commission has published its long awaited report on Young Child Formula. Despite the fact that Member States wanted action, the Commission proposes no effective action, and leaves these products opento the market Nutraingredients: No new legislation needed on ‘growing…
Nestlé and Hershey escape child labour labelling charge
Two class action lawsuits against companies Nestle and Hershey in the United States were dismissed after a federal court ruled there is no duty to disclose the use of child labour in the cocoa supply chain. The suits were brought by…
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…
Save the World Health Organization from the undue influence of corporations and corporate linked entities
Civil Society FENSA Statement April 2016-1 WHO Member States have been negotiating a proposal for a Framework of Engagement with Non-State Actors (covering WHO’s interactions with NGOs, Businesses Philanthropic Foundations and Academic institutions.) Another open-ended meeting of WHO Member States starts…
Inappropriate marketing of baby foods – new consultation round
Inappropriate marketing of baby foods – new consultation round to start soon Following the last meeting of Member States in early April, we understand that some changes have been made to the Guidance and we hope that our remaining concerns will…
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,…
US criticises government restrictions on civil society
Remarks at the Coordination and Management Meeting of ECOSOC on the adoption of the NGO Committee Report Ambassador Sarah Mendelson, U.S. Representative for Economic and Social Affairs U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City April 5, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE…
URGENT: EU Parliament to vote on nutrient profiles
URGENT: EU Parliament to vote on nutrient profiles 12th April. Please contact your MEP Nutrient profiles could be very helpful in curbing the huge number of claims authorised for baby foods and products. Thanks to the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA)…
Member States to discuss inappropriate promotion of baby foods.
Member States will meet TOMORROW (8th April) to discuss a Draft Resolution and a Revised Guidance on Inappropriate Promotion of baby Food (with call-in capability for those not in Geneva) Please share IBFAN’s suggestions for changes with your government. We think that they will…
Jamie Oliver’s next thing: breastfeeding
After the Sugar Tax success, Jamie Oliver turns his attention to Breastfeeding CLICK HERE for Jamie Oliver’s interview on LBC – taking after the announcement of the SUGAR TAX – about his next focus – Breastfeeding. https://audioboom.com/boos/4314325-jamie-oliver-won-the-sugar-tax-debate-and-has-new-campaign-breastfeeding CLICK HERE for the…
Could your Health Visitor win the 2016 Julie Crawford Award for Breastfeeding Support?
Could your Health Visitor win the 2016 Julie Crawford Award for Breastfeeding Support? Nominations are now OPEN The Baby Feeding Law Group is seeking nominations for the Julie Crawford Award for Breastfeeding Support. Nominations must be sent to Baby Milk Action (BFLG Secretariat)…
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women calls for the protection of breastfeeding.
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women calls for the protection of breastfeeding. 4th March 2016 Baby Milk Action and all IBFAN groups support the IBFAN-GIFA office in its work with the various human rights treaty bodies that meet…
Link to New EU Delegated Acts
CLICK HERE for a link to the new Delegated Acts in all languages http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?uri=OJ:L:2016:025:TOC The EU delegated regulations on Infant Formula, Follow on Formula and Foods for Special Medical Purposes were published on 2.2. 2016 The link above takes you…
Baby food companies use claims to target mothers
Nutrients 2016, 8(3), 137; doi:10.3390/nu8030137 Prevalence of Nutrition and Health-Related Claims on Pre-Packaged Foods: A Five-Country Study in Europe Sophie Hieke 1,* , Nera Kuljanic 1, Igor Pravst 2,3, Krista Miklavec 2, Asha Kaur 4, Kerry A. Brown 5,Bernadette M. Egan 5, Katja Pfeifer 6, Azucena Gracia 7 and Mike Rayner 4 Abstract: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/3/137/ HTML…
SMA brand promotes to half a million ‘We’re mums too’ packs
Thanks to Ethical Sponsorship Ireland for spotting this incredible piece outlining the strategy for getting SMA – owned by Nestlé since December 2012 – back to No 1 spot in the UK. So much more reassuring to think of corporate…
IBFAN Comments on Maternal, infant and young child nutrition
Member States have until the end of February to comment on these proposals Maternal, infant and young child nutrition WHO Secretariat Report, Draft Resolution and Guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children Document EB138/8 …
The wonderful Lord Avebury dies
Liberal Democrat peer Lord Avebury dies aged 87 CLICK HERE I’ve just heard the sad news that Lord Avebury died today. Among the myriad of other issues he worked on, he was also a tremendous support to us for so…
Civil Society has no confidence in the stalled Framework on Engagement with Non State Actors process
PDF: WHO FENSA CS_4.2.16.57 CLICK HERE for Press Release CLICK HERE for a link to the live and archived webcasts of the Executive Board meetings (available for 90 days). Thanks to Bill Jeffrey for working out that the video-recording on FENSA…
Blog post on a European Commission meeting about ‘Added sugar’
Blog post on a European Commission meeting about and ‘Added sugar’ Annex. European Commission Brussels 18th January 2016 I attended a Commission meeting in Brussels on Monday about added sugars – not a Platform meeting – but a special…
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 …
New European Union regulations
Baby food regulations: 6-months recommendation and less sugar Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) voted on 19 January 2016 (393 votes in favour, 305 votes against) to reject draft EU rules on baby food, which would have allowed baby foods…
ACT TODAY TO REDUCE SUGAR IN BABY FOODS
YOU can help protect the health of babies: CLICK HERE for the text of the Objection that will be voted on 20th January. CLICK HERE for WHO commentary on sugar Ask your MEPs to vote TOMORROW to reduce sugar and pesticide levels in…
The problem with the Access to Nutrition Index
2016 Access to Nutrition Index (ATNI) launch for Academics and International NGOs. The Wellcome Foundation, London Friday 15th January 2016 I attended the Gates-Wellcome-CIFF-funded ATNI index that was created by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in 2012 and scores major food…
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…
Dietary public health research and the food industry. Towards a consensus?
I attended this conference in Cambridge, on Dietary public health research and the food industry on 11th December organised by the Centre for Diet and Activity Research (AUKCRC Public Health Research Centre of Excellence) Here is an article that followed: Limb_2015_foodLimb_2015_food Meanwhile…
IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE EU LEGISLATION
IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY TO PROTECT CHILD HEALTH CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE DEBATE that starts around 1 hour and 53 minutes after the start: On Monday 21st December there was an important debate in the European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health…
Background to the EU Legislation on baby foods and formulas
Since 1981 when the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (IC) was adopted at the World Health Assembly, the European Parliament has called for its adoption as an EU Directive. All EU Member States (MS) have endorsed the International…