Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11805

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Moszynski P.
Government should restrict advertising of baby milk products, say campaigners
BMJ 2007 Oct 20; 335:(7624):794
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/short/335/7624/794-a?etoc

Abstract:

Protestors are urging the UK government to tighten safeguards regarding the sale and marketing of infant formula, as the Food Standards Agency prepares to publish proposals for modifying the regulations that control these products.

Last December the agency altered its advice to warn that “powdered infant and follow-on formulas are not sterile, which means they can contain harmful bacteria. So it is important to take care when preparing and storing formula, to reduce the risk of babies becoming ill. Bacteria will be killed if formula is made up following the advice, which includes using water that is at least 70°C.”

Now campaigners want the government to implement in full the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which was passed by the World Health Assembly in 1981, because they claim that the existing regulations are too weak.

Michael O’Donnell, head of hunger reduction at Save the Children, said, “The law . . .