On May 27, 2020, the State of the Code Report 2020 by WHO, UNICEF and IBFAN has been published. On the occasion of the Launch webinar, the officials emphasised :

QUOTE The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the importance of protecting optimal nutrition, including breastfeeding, to improve child health and survival. Formula manufacturers are exploiting the panic and fears of contagion to intensify their aggressive marketing practices. END

In this context, government action to regulate the marketing of breast-milk substitutes has never been greater. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly resolutions (“the Code”) spell out key legal safeguards against industry practices that undermine breastfeeding.

WHO, UNICEF, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) will launch the 2020 Status Report highlights which countries have implemented measures required by the Code. Given the important role of health workers in protecting pregnant women, mothers and their infants from inappropriate promotion of breast-milk substitutes, the 2020 report provides an extensive analysis of legal measures taken to prohibit promotion to health workers and in health facilities.

We will hear from WHO, UNICEF, and IBFAN as well as key health care professionals, government officials, and mothers’ support groups. The event will describe why governments should pay particular attention to protecting families and discuss the challenges in the context of COVID.

Launch of the Report 2020 Webinar : https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2020/05/28/default-calendar/online-launch-2020-status-report-on-the-national-implementation-of-the-code-of-marketing-of-breast-milk-substitutes

State of the Code Report 2020 https://www.who.int/publications-detail/9789240006010

FAQ on the role and responsability of health workers https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240005990