REP19_FLeIBFAN and partner NGOs at the CODEX Food Labelling Committee 45th CCFL, 13-17th May, 2019, Ottawa, Canada I will be posting a longer report soon, but in summary, this was a very successful week. The Bio-fortification definition was not agreed – indeed…
RCPCH and BMJ end infant formula sponsorship
February 2019. Calling time on formula milk adverts BMJ 2019; 364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l1200 (Published 18 March 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;364:l1200 RCPCH statement on relationship with formula milk companies 31.1.2019: RCPCH Decision to suspend https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/rcpch-statement-future-funding-agreements-formula-milk-companies At the…
Excerpt from BMA Update 2013 – Gain and Kenya
STOP PRESS – After UPDATE went to Press GAIN told us that Danone is no longer a member because it is a Code violator. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition is an especially worriesome entity. On the Lead…
CSO Groups Call for Codex Guidelines on Front-of-pack Labelling to Protect the Right to Health not Corporate Interests
Codex FOPNL CSO Statement FINAL For Immediate Release: This week (13-17 May 2019) the Codex Alimentarius1Committee on Food Labelling (CCFL) will begin formal negotiations on guiding principles for the development of front-of-pack nutritition labelling (FOPNL) in Ottawa, Canada. …
WHO finds Breastfeeding reduces child obesity risk by up to 25%
Breastfeeding reduces child obesity risk by up to 25% The World Health Organisation says marketing claims formula is as good for babies as breast milk are misleading Obesity Facts: Association between Characteristics at Birth, Breastfeeding and Obesity in 22 Countries:…
The carbon footprint of breastmilk substitutes in comparison with breastfeeding
New study funded by WHO and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences finds breastfeeding has a consistently lower carbon footprint than using breastmilk substitutes. This was true for all four countries studied in the assessment: UK, China, Brazil and Vietnam, where…
Commercial interests, transparency, and independence: a call for submissions
PDF Commercial interests, transparency, and independence: a call for submissions. Help the move towards independence from commercial interests. Submissions are welcome from now, with a final deadline of 15 January 2020. Ray Moynihan assistant professor 1, Helen Macdonald UK research…
IBFAN’s 3rd Breastfeeding Conference:Breastfeeding and healthy complementary feeding.
Sign up for IBFAN’s 3rd Breastfeeding Conference: Breastfeeding and healthy complementary feeding. Rio Nov 11-15th http://www.enam.org.br/ingles/index.php The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) with the support of the Government of Brazil and public universities, proudly host a joint meeting of…
First Steps Nutrition Trust expose of Nestlé’s claims
New Statement from First Steps Nutrition Trust 2019 Artificial human milk oligosaccharides in infant milks: A review of evidence provided to support claims made by Nestlé for their range of ‘Advanced’ infant milk products.April 2019 Nestlé Nutrition launched three…
Japanese solution
https://creapills.com/soutien-gorge-allaitement-bebe-20190408?fbclid=IwAR3vc_g2T7t1R8XwA049UBWR6pbRgM9I7ymoUI5hPE5HX5ZxDiY-75JgzcY
Nestlé’s vanilla formula
Nestlé breaks pledge to end use of vanilla flavouring in baby formula Arthur Neslen Tue 9 Apr 2019 06.00 The Guardian Firm selling vanilla-flavoured formulas in Hong Kong despite advertising products in China as healthy options, says report Nestlé, the…
The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and Mrs Sabina Higgins to attend screening of Tigers whistleblower film
Irish Examiner A standing ovation and rapturous applause greeted Syed Aamir Raza, as he joined the panel of experts, following a recent private screening of the emotive and powerful movie Tigers. The Last word with Matt Cooper Jen…
EU Legislation and global trade
Although EU Legislation on baby food marketing fails to meet WHO marketing requirements, in terms of food safety, the Precautionary Principle and the EU charter of Fundamental Rights, EU laws are important and stronger than many. World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules in…
‘Unhealthy diet bigger killer than tobacco’
Times of India Sushmi Dey | TNN | Apr 7, 2019, 06:36 IST NEW DELHI: Unhealthy diet is responsible for more premature deaths than tobacco, high blood pressure or any other health risk, a new study published in Lancet has…
Nestle turns to mothers after 150 years of selling infant formula
Bloomberg March 28, 2019 https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/nestle-turns-to-mothers-after-150-years-of-selling-infant-formula/article26661226.ece/amp/ Nestles range for pregnant women and mothers is already available in Mexico, Canada and China. File photo | Photo Credit: Pierre Albouy The Swiss food giant is expanding its offering for expecting and lactating women…
BMJ will no longer carry formula adverts
Calling time on formula milk adverts BMJ 2019; 364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l1200 (Published 18 March 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;364:l1200 Article Related content Metrics Responses Fiona Godlee, editor in chief1, Sophie Cook, head of scholarly comment1, Rebecca Coombes, head of news and views1, Emad El-Omar,…
The Great Formula Milk Scandal: Channel 4 Dispatches 8pm Monday 18th March
We were consulted but haven’t seen this programme yet. It’s a follow on from Breastfeeding Uncovered – broadcast on the 30th July last year. It should be worth watching. Here is the description by the programme makers: “New mum Kate…
Time to end sponsorship of paediatric associations
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S0140-6736(18)32845-9 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/ S0140-6736(18)32845-9 Much more work needed now to clean up the International Paediatric Association. https://www.ipa2019congress.com
EAT-Lancet Commission’s report on sustainable health and planetary boundaries
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/unhealthy-diet-bigger-killer-than-tobacco/articleshow/68759153.cms https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/03/science/diet-vegetables.html I attended the debate on the EAT-Lancet Commission’s report on sustainable health and planetary boundaries on 20th February 2019. The report recommends radical changes to a low meat/high veg diet and more sustainable, extensive farming…
New BBC exposé of British Lord Ahmed – former Nestlé advisor.
A BBC2 Newsnight report on 14th February 2019. 10.30 pm about former Labour peer Lord Ahmed of Rotherham, was soon followed on 1st March with news of charges of attempted rape of girl. Lord Ahmed is also charged with indecent…
Royal College of Pediatrics will no longer accept funding from formula companies
Click here and here for previous blogs. Click here for Quartz article Royal college stops taking funding from formula milk firms BMJ 2019; 364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l743 (Published 14 February 2019) Cite this as: BMJ 2019;364:l743 https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/news-events/news/rcpch-statement-relationship-formula-milk-companies RCPCH statement on relationship…
Risks of WHO and Privately Funded groups
WHO’s Plan to Jointly Work With Privately-Funded Groups Threatens Its Credibility A number of non-state actors seeking renewal of their official relation status with the WHO receive funding from pharmaceutical, food and alcohol industries. WHO Executive Board holding its 144th…
New articles on conflicts of interest and other things
Broadening its donor base and non-state actors – Does WHO really have a choice when it comes to financing? Priti Patnaik. Weekly IHP news: http://www.internationalhealthpolicies.org/ ___________________________________________________________ Article on WHO by Alison Katz. Le Courrier 20.1.2019 Health for All https://lecourrier.ch/2019/01/20/liberer-loms-du-joug-neoliberal/ HforAll40yearsSept2018…
RCPCH suspends formula company funding pending review
STOP PRESS. – Fantastic news! RCPCH statement on future funding agreements with formula milk companies 31 January 2019 A statement on the decision to suspend future funding agreements with formula milk companies pending a College review. In light of recent…
RCPCH uses IBFAN, WFP and IBCLC names to whitewash MENA conference
STOP PRESS: RCPCH statement on future funding agreements with formula milk companies After the Guardian expose, the UK Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) seems to be sliding deeper into trouble as a catalogue of ‘errors’ by the…
Leading UK child health body under fire over baby milk sponsorship
Leading UK child health body under fire over baby milk sponsorship https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jan/28/british-child-health-experts-under-fire-over-baby-milk-sponsorship-royal-college-of-paediatrics?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other Royal College of Paediatrics urged to rethink conference funding amid claims deal contravenes World Health Organization code Rebecca Ratcliffe Mon 28 Jan 2019
IBFAN at WHO’s Executive Board: tackling commercialisation of health care systems
Good article in Health Policy Watch 24th January – 1st February I’ve been at the WHO Executive Board meeting since 24th January – joining IBFAN GIFA colleagues Alessia Bigi and Fedora Bernard and partner…
UK Paediatricians protest at formula company sponsorship of RCPCH Conference in Egypt
Paediatricians and heath campaigners have written to the President of the UK Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) to protest about its decision to allow an international conference in Egypt to be sponsored by baby food companies Nestlé,…
Why ‘No Deal’ would be a disaster for human health.
Baby Milk Action supporters will be aware that EU Legislation on baby food marketing fails to meet WHO marketing requirements However in terms of food safety and Human Rights, EU laws are some of the world’s strongest and at Codex…
Nestlé in trouble for ‘influencing doctors to prescribe baby food’ in India
https://theprint.in/governance/nestle-in-trouble-for-influencing-doctors-to-prescribe-baby-food-in-india/175659/amp/?__twitter_impression=true Nestlé in trouble for ‘influencing doctors to prescribe baby food’ in India Himani Chandna New Delhi: Swiss food giant Nestlé is under the lens for allegedly influencing doctors to recommend its baby products, including infant milk powder, to parents. …
Considerations regarding the use of infant formula products in infant and young child feeding in emergencies
https://worldnutritionjournal.org/index.php/wn/article/view/584/539 World Nutrition 2018;9(3):261-283 261 Considerations regarding the use of infant formula products in infant and young child feeding in emergencies (IYCF-E) programs Karleen Gribble 1, Christine Fernandes 2: 1.School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, NSW. Australia.…
Time for complete transparency about conflicts of interest in public health nutrition research
published on HRB Open Research Open Letter Time for complete transparency about conflicts of interest in public health nutrition research Marita Hennessy https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9517-6380 1, Katherine Cullerton. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9517-6380 2, Phil Baker3, Amy Brown4, Helen Crawley5, Catherine Hayes. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1576-4623 6, Patricia M. Kearney7, Colette Kelly8, Martin McKee https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0121-9683 9, Melissa Mialon10, Mark Petticrew9, Patti…
Trust WHO: The Business of Global Health
STOP PRESS: April 2020Vimeo removes the film “trustWHO” which depicts the hidden practices of the WHO Trust WHO: The Business of Global Health Investigating the hidden motives behind actions of the World Health Organisation and the real powers that control…
Indian media coverage: Are baby food makers driving overdiagnosis of cow milk allergy? Doctors call on Government
Recent articles: The Times of India and Telegraph (India) Are baby food makers driving overdiagnosis of cow milk allergy Rema Nagarajan | TNN Doctors raise baby food alert Call to govt to act against covert promotion G.S. Mudur in New…
Exclusive Investigative Report: Harvard’s Pediatric Nutrition Star Comes Under Scrutiny for Conflicts of Interest
PLEASE NOTE : the link to the Nestle Boycott embedded in this article takes you back to Nestle’s own website – with Nestlé’s spin on the history of the campaign. https://womensenews.org/2018/12/exclusive-investigative-report-harvards-pediatric-nutrition-star-comes-under-scrutiny-for-conflicts-of-interest/?fbclid=IwAR1I3mXnNfAuc8dIxKfzHIZydH6CBd5kIQQWIHOIkkJA1Tmg_bQjyDZeSmA https://womensenews.org/2013/12/formula-marketers-put-pediatric-academy-in-the-bag/ Exclusive Investigative Report: Harvard’s Pediatric Nutrition Star…
Aims Journal. The State of the States
Baby Milk Action – The State of the States How the USA is leading the way in allowing commercial companies to undermine breastfeeding, and how it is impacting us in the UK AIMS Journal: https://www.aims.org.uk/journal/index/30/3 Journal Vol. 30, No. 3…
Milk Formula Sales and GHG Emissions: GreenFeeding Report of 10 Countries
Milk Formula Sales and GHG Emissions: GreenFeeding Report of 10 Countries 14.Dec.2018, New Delhi: In the growing climate change debate, the environmental consequence of how most of the infants and children are fed is a missing link. Data shows that around…
Influx of baby food supplies swamped Central Sulawesi emergency camps in Indonesia
Influx of baby food supplies swamped Central Sulawesi emergency camps in Indonesia Report form ICDC (International Code Documentation Centre) The care and feeding of infants and young children are compromised in emergency situations, which often lead to high rates of…
IBFAN-ICDC LEGAL UPDATE June – December 2018
IBFAN-ICDC LEGAL UPDATE June – December 2018 Topics highlighted in this issue: IBFAN ASIA AND IBFAN-ICDC LAUNCH REPORT ON THE MONITORING OF THE CODE IN 11 COUNTIRES OF ASIA INFLUX OF BABY FOOD SUPPLIES SWAMPED CENTRAL SULAWESI EMERGENCY CAMPS…
Article from Australia: Child health is on the line as Codex deliberates food standards
independent, in-depth social journalism for health Image sourced from the Australian Government’s National Breastfeeding Strategy 2018 and Beyond consultation draft Child health is on the line as Codex deliberates food standards Editor: Marie McInerneyAuthor: Julie P Smith, Alex Iellamo &…
Baby Milk Action response:EU Brexit Consultation – The Nutrition (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018
UK Brexit Consultation. The Nutrition (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2018 Baby Milk Action Comment Baby Milk Action IBFAN UK EU Chronology Consultation description This two week consultation conducted by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) ended on Friday 14th.…
Journalism is not a crime – sign this letter and support Oliver Schrom
Journalism is not a Crime Those who have seen Tigers or read the companion True Story Booklet will recognise Oliver Schrom – the ZDF journalist who tries to screen the documentary about Syed Aamar Raza.
Investigation reveals how cows’ milk protein allergy is extending the reach of infant formula manufacturers
Similar article 10 December 2018 By DR CHRIS VAN TULLEKEN FOR THE DAILY MAIL As the industry is accused of scaring mums off breastfeeding, don’t be fooled by the milk formula machine! BMJ Wednesday 5 December 2018 PDF of the…
Indian paediatricians call on government to curb baby food industry efforts to influence doctors
Indian paediatricians call on government to curb baby food industry efforts to influence doctors BMJ 2018; 363 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.k5133 (Published 04 December 2018)Cite this as: BMJ 2018;363:k5133 https://www.bmj.com/content/363/bmj.k5133 A network of doctors and public health specialists in India has sought government intervention to curb what it says…
Thirteen million hits for the Tigers trailer as the film based on a Nestle baby milk whistleblower is premiered worldwide
TIGERS PRESS RELEASE Thirteen million hits for the Tigers trailer as the film based on a Nestle baby milk whistleblower is premiered worldwide. Over 11 million people have so far watched the youtube trailer for the eagerly awaited feature film Tigers, by Oscar-winning…
Global Trade body tackles misleading labelling of look-alike products
Trade body tackles misleading labelling of look-alike milks. 40th Codex Alimentarius Nutrition Committee (CCNFSDU) Berlin, Germany. 23-30th December 2018 In Berlin this week, foods and drinks for babies dominated the agenda of the Codex Alimentarius nutrition meeting – the WHO/Food…
Consensus vs vote: What happened at the WHA in 1994
Consensus vs vote: Why it would have been wise to call for a vote at the 71st WHA What should happen if there is no consensus? During the 1994 World Health Assembly, the USA and EU objected to a Resolution…
STOP PRESS: WHO UNICEF Information note on Follow Up Formulas
WHO INFORMATION NOTE PDF WHO WEBSITE In time for the Codex trade talks in Berlin this week, WHO has released this important new briefing – please read and share widely Clarification on the classification of follow-up formulas for children 6-36…
Tigers Billboards in Mumbai
Nestle drops scientific meeting on baby food
PDF https://www.telegraphindia.com/health/nestle-drops-scientific-meet-on-baby-food/cid/1675573 Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India sees no science in the session, just industry promotion By G.S. Mudur in New Delhi Published 17.11.18, 2:51 AM Updated 17.11.18, 9:46 AM The global food-maker Nestle cancelled a “scientific session”…