Press Releases and comments over the years Letter from the Codex Chair and Vice Chairs about the Codex Strategic Plan for 2026-2031 – asks fundamental questions: How should the multilateral system for trade and standards respond to the challenge from…
Codex: will ‘sustainability’ claims boost trade of harmful products?
“You meet at time of unprecedented challenges. Conflicts and climate change are exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition. Most people around the world who have access to food cannot afford healthy dietsThe Codex . Deforestation and habitat loss are increasing the…
Is “small quantity lipid nutrition supplement” (SQ-LNS) a sustainable and pragmatic strategy to prevent malnutrition?
World Nutrition Issue Vol 14 No 1 (2023) Is “small quantity lipid nutrition supplement” (SQ-LNS) a sustainable and pragmatic strategy to prevent malnutrition? PDF of WN article Introduction by Ted Greiner. Arun Gupta, Dr IBFAN Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest -India(NAPi)…
IBFAN’s World Breastfeeding Conference in CAIRO
IBFAN’s World Breastfeeding Conference in Cairo organised by IBFAN ARAB WORLD Promo video of the Event CAIRO CALL TO ACTION (ENG) Spanish Portuguese French Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, Steve Wearne. Chairperson of the Codex Alimentarius Commission 2 minute welcome. 7 Minute Codex…
After 10 years of struggle, Codex puts child health before trade at last
CAC letter April 23 The top table at the meeting in Dusseldorf. 6-10th March. Photo Credit: ©FAO/Codex. After 10 years of struggle, Codex puts child health before trade at last. PDF of this Press Release FINAL CCNFSDU REPORT. 6-10th March,…
The Billionaires that Made our World: Gates
The Billionaires that made our world: Gates Feb 15, 2023 This must-see C4 Dispatches Investigation doesn’t address nutrition issues and the Multi-stakeholder entities such as SUN and GAIN that he has funded, but it does allow some great comments from…
UK Parliament debate on Lancet Breastfeeding series
April 2023 Thanks to Barbara Crowther for telling us that the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a case of Kendamil marketing which breached the code and conflated infant formula and follow on milks, as well as making inappropriate health…
Turkish/Syrian Earthquake: Mother keeps baby alive for 55 hours with breastfeeding
STOP PRESS: Thanks to Barbara Crowther of Sustain, who tells us that the mother was rescued too and both of them reunited with the father and their 3 year old who had both been rescued before them. It is the…
Lancet Breastfeeding Series: ‘Underhand’ formula milk ads stop millions from breastfeeding, experts say
LANCET BREASTFEEDING SERIES 2023 Global launch event: The Series will be launched at a hybrid event in London at 12:30-14:00 UK time on Wednesday 8th February, co-hosted by The Lancet, WHO and Children in All Policies. More information is available here and it will also…
“Big win over Nestle! Over 17 years of fighting!
Big win over Nestlé – Over 17 years of fighting – A fight for health food security, human rights, justice and truth Whistleblowing, Safety and Fraud Facebook Statement from Yasmine Motarjemi: I just learned that Nestlé is waiving the federal appeal…
“Improper political interference” in US baby foods puts health and scientific integrity at stake .
US Oversight Subcommittee Staff Report Reveals Top Baby Foods Contain Dangerous Levels of Toxic Heavy Metals (Feb 4th 2021) FDA responds to questions about report on lead, other toxins in baby food. (17th February) EPA Takes Action to Protect Scientfic…
New online safeguarding laws in Ireland to cover baby formulas and foods.
FANTASTIC NEWS: “…Provision made for the purpose referred to in subsection (2)(d)(ii) may prohibit or restrict, in accordance with law, the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages considered by the Commission to be the subject…
Should animals be pumped with growth drugs to increase growth and global trade?
Should animals be pumped with growth drugs – just to increase global trade? Codex Alimentarius Commission 21-25 November 2022 Rome, Italy Web streaming link:HERE IBFAN Zilpaterol statement PDF While the rest of the world is, at last, waking up to…
Digital Marketing undermines breastfeeding in Mexico
Following on from WHO’s recent report on the impact of Digital marketing, a new study from mexico provides some new evidence Digital marketing of formula and baby food negatively influences breast feeding and complementary feeding: a cross-sectional study and video…
IBFAN Q&A on the Abbott Powdered Milk Formula Scandal
IBFAN Q&A on the ABBOTT scandal Meanwhile, ISDI (the body that represents national and international associations active in this food sector from more than 20 countries on over 6 continents) boasts about the safety of the products of its many…
COP27 – Can lessons be learned and the UPF trade controlled?
COP27 – Can lessons be learned and the UPF trade controlled? Extinction Rebellion mass ‘nurse-in’ . Westminster, London October 2019 Photo: Helena Smith IBFAN Cop 27 ENG IBFAN COP27 ES COP27 – IBFAN FR As world leaders meet in Sharm El-Sheikh,…
Pakistan Floods: IBFAN supports Ministry of Health’s call to protect breastfeeding
Breastfeeding International Emergency Response with IBFAN Pakistan Report IBFAN PAKISTAN – PRESS RELEASE June 2022, The worst .floods in Pakistan‘s history put a third of the country under water and killed 1,717 people. The monsoon rains, melting glaciers and severe heat wave…
WHO on World Breastfeeding Week: Foods for infants and young children: a matter of concern?
https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/03-08-2022-foods-for-infants-and-young-children–a-matter-of-concern Foods for infants and young children: a matter of concern? 3 August 2022 News release World Breastfeeding Week, held on 1–7 August each year, sparks discussions across the WHO European Region around the growing international concern about infant…
Global trading standards must follow WHO in restricting harmful marketing
Global trading standards must follow WHO in restricting harmful marketing 75th World Health Assembly, Geneva, 22-28th May, 2022 IBFAN, the global network that has helped governments stop harmful marketing of baby feeding products for the last 40 years, attended…
Cross promotion: Idec sues Nestlé, Mead Johnson and Danone for the ‘Game of 7 mistakes’
STOP PRESS: “Press release IDEC wins over Nestlé, 4 July2022 Court orders Nestlé to clearly signal the difference between infant formulas and growing-up milks IDEC filed a lawsuit against the company for cross-promotion that causes confusion for consumers It…
4 new WHO reports expose marketing by the $55 billion formula milk industry
Dr Tedros explains why the predatory marketing baby feeding products can harm children and announces the new WHO reports on predatory marketing. WHO UNICEF multi-country report – How marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding WHO report…
NEW: WHO UNICEF IBFAN -National implementation of the Code Status report 2022
Marketing of breastmilk substitutes: national implementation of the international code, status report 2022 WHO UNICEF IBFAN https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/354221 This report provides updated information on the status of implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS) and subsequent relevant…
Update on Nestlé, Ukraine and WHO Foundation
Update on Nestlé, Ukraine and WHO Foundation Full List of Companies That Have Stayed in Russia – And The Ones That Decided to Leave [Updated Weekly] https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/companies-boycotting-russia/ While we watch with horror yet another human catastrophy in Ukraine, we urge…
FDA Warns Consumers about Abbott’s Powdered Infant Formula – shortage in USA
The US Government endorsement of artificial feeding has been and continues to be a huge financial benefit to the US formula industries. The US policy has left citizens without Code regulation, baby friendly support and mandatory maternity leave for decades.…
39K people call for immediate halt to an unethical formula study in Uganda and Guinea-Bissau
. HELP STOP UNETHICAL FORMULA RESEARCH ON BABIES PLEASE remember to sign and share this petition that 39,000 have signed so far, with numerous comments posted to the journal website. STOP PRESS: Questioning the ethics of international research on…
Academics express concern over conflicts of interest in South Africa
On Board with Nestlé? Academics express concern over conflicts of interest Maverick Citizen: Academic independence https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-11-23-on-board-with-nestle-academics-express-concern-over-conflicts-of-interest/ (Photo: logos-world.net/Wikipedia) By Mark Heywood Follow 23 Nov 2021 1 Academics across the world have been expressing growing concern over what they describe as ‘corporate…
Undue corporate influence at Codex
Danone and Croplife in evidence at Codex 2021 Concern about unhealthy UN partnerships: Codex is a joint United Nations body created in 1963 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to develop food standards,…
Baby food industry lobbies to weaken Codex standards on sweetness and flavouring
Baby food industry lobbies to weaken Codex standards on sweetness and flavouring Unhealthy UN partnerships: The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) are the parent bodies of the Codex Alimentarius Commission. In 2021 FAO adopted…
Codex Commission (CAC44) meeting unable to reach Consensus on growth hormone
CODEX COMMISSION (CAC 44) November and December 2021 Interventions made by IBFAN and ENCA: Agenda Item 8 – (Matters arising from FAO and WHO) Thanks WHO for its work on COVID and breastfeeding and its celebration of the 40th Anniversary of…
COP26:The baby food industry’s needless destruction of an irreplaceable natural resource – a form of ecocide?
FINAL COP STATEMENT French translation The baby food industry’s destruction of an irreplaceable natural resource IBFAN Statement 5th Nov 2021 The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes [i] was adopted forty years ago by the World Health Assembly, the…
A Fatal Engagement – article by Arun Gupta
https://drarungupta.blogspot.com/2021/10/a-fatal-engagement.html (Child Health, Nutrition and its Governance, Public Policy and Politics) A Fatal Engagement Development of India’s food policy is dominated by the food industry and makers of chemical nutrients through their front groups or advisers-thus undermining the health of…
M8 Alliance Declaration: From Words to Action World Health Summit 2021
M8_Alliance_Declaration M8 Alliance Declaration: From Words to Action World Health Summit 2021 | October 26, 2021 The COVID–19 pandemic is far from over and we have to explore and implement innovative and effective measures to defeat this virus and to…
Nestlé cancels its ‘Free Stokvel Mom and Child Forum’ following protests
FOOD JUSTICE Nutrition activists urge Nestlé to cancel ‘Free Stokvel Mom and Child Forum’ saying it violates SA regulations By Mark Heywood and Michelle Banda• 12 August 2021 Note: At 8.50 am on Friday, August 13, this article was updated following…
US authorities remove breastfeeding newborn and prompt outrage
Authorities take 2nd child from ‘American Idol’ contestant, prompting outrage Syesha Mercado, who is fighting to get her toddler back, recorded deputies taking her newborn from her in an Instagram Live video. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1276796 ______________________________________________________________- Lancet: 40 years of the Code…
World Breastfeeding Week 1-7th August
World Breastfeeding Week 1-7 August,2021 Protecting breastfeeding – where lies the responsibility? World Breastfeeding week (WBW) is organised by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) in 1-7th August. (WBW is celebrated in October in Europe.) IBFAN and partners will…
Stop Ecocide amendment submitted to the UK Environment Bill
Baroness (Natalie) Bennett of Manor Castle, former leader of the UK Green Party, has submitted an ecocide amendment to the Environment Bill currently making its way through the House of Lords (the UK’s upper chamber). Stop Ecocide International, co-founded in…
WATCH the 40th Anniversary Code and Global Breastfeeding Protection Day
40th Anniversary of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and launch of World Breastfeeding Protection Day. 21 May 2021 WATCH THE EVENT HERE IBFAN films created by IBFAN Mexico and Brazil IBFAN film 7 minutes IBFAN Chronology:…
New Lancet series: Revisiting maternal and child undernutrition
Revisiting maternal and child undernutrition in low-income and middle-income countries: variable progress towards an unfinished agenda Prof Cesar G Victora, MD Prof Parul Christian, DrPH Luis Paulo Vidaletti, MSc Giovanna Gatica-Domínguez, PhD Purnima Menon, PhD Prof Robert E Black, MD…
Journal of Human Lactation interviews
The Journal of Human Lactation has been publishing a series of interviews of people who have been instrumental in the formation of the Code and Resolution. Here are 3 of the interviews that were conducted by Maryse Arendt, IBCLC, BSEd. …
No ‘sunsetting of the Code ’ please! Babies need vigilence us to be needed
IBFAN statement WHA73 delivered 10.11.20 No ‘sunsetting of the Code please’ – babies need us to be vigilant Resumed online 73rd World Health Assembly 9-14th November 2020 WHA 73 website LIVE WEBCAST Participants list A new draft Decision…
IBFAN’s Counter-Call to WHO and UNICEF to STOP 10 year-licence to harm children.
This blog was published in July 2020 and updated in November 2020 STOP Press: Of the seventeen responses to the Call to Action- none meet the criteria. Time to move on and focus on helping governments legislate? Statements of support…
The baby brands turning Indonesian Instagram into free formula ads
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism The baby brands turning Indonesian Instagram into free formula ads Published July 30 2020 By Rosa Furneaux Multinational baby formula companies, such as Nestlé and Danone, are using social media to market to consumers…
Benjamin’s Poem for World Breastfeeding Week: Whistle to mothers
Following the World Breastfeeding Week 2020 theme, IBFAN Uganda worked with one of the five schools that is supported to promote breastfeeding. This is the result that IBFAN Uganda is sharing. Do take a look and share. It will make…
WHO UNICEF: World Breastfeeding Week 2020 Message
World Breastfeeding Week 2020 Message Joint message: UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore and WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus 31 July 2020 Statement The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2020 is “Support breastfeeding for a healthier planet”. In line with…
Is ZeroSeparation Astroturfing? How business groups use babies to recruit allies
A new Zero Separation campaign was launched on 9th July by the European Foundation for the Care of Newborn infants (EFCNI) through an entity called GLANCE – the Global Alliance for Newborn Care. You can see the host on NGOs…
IBFAN and 630 NGOs sound alarm over wave of Covid-19 claims in ‘corporate courts’
630 civil society groups sound alarm over wave of Covid-19 claims in ‘corporate courts’ Groups in more than 90 countries warn ISDS system could be used to claim billions from governments over pandemic protections Countries could be facing a wave…
Launch of WBTi Evaluation 12 June – Tracking National actions makes a difference
“Making A Difference- An Evaluation Report of the World Breastfeeding Trends Initiative (WBTi) in Mobilising National Actions on Breastfeeding and IYCF: 2020”. Date: 12 June 2020, 01:00 PM (GMT) To participate please register HERE Executive Summary Full Report Press Release …
IBFAN statement for World Food Safety Day, 7th June 2020
IBFAN STATEMENT World Food Safety Day June 7, 2020 Food Safety Everyone’s Business The WHO initiative, its second World Food Safety Day aims to draw attention to the need to prevent foodborne risks, contribute to food security, human health economic…
Shocking gaps in emergency preparedness for Europe’s babies, new report shows
PRESS RELEASE Split, Croatia Thursday, 4th June 2020 Summary report Full report Press Release. Research article The Covid 19 pandemic has shown how important it is for countries to protect their…
PRESS RELEASE: Launch of the WHO UNICEF IBFAN Global Code Report. Recordings and presentations
WHO has published the recording and presentations of the launch here: Access password: CLICK HERE #Code2020 Download presentations Remarks on behalf of IBFAN Mexico 2020 Code Status Report results and findings Code violations in Indonesia The Practitioner view Moderator: Chris…