International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes An International Measure to Protect and Promote Breast-Feeding

Summary: The International Code of Marketing of
Breast-milk Substitutes is the first
original legal instrument of its kind
adopted by the World Health
Organization, in cooperation with
UNICEF.
NIJHOFF LAW SPECIALS
Volume 40

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is the
first original legal instrument of its kind adopted by the World
Health Organization, in cooperation with UNICEF. The International
Code, for the first time at the international plane, deals with a
health issue that is of considerable importance to any society,
namely, the healthy growth and development of infants. This volume is
a thorough analysis of the provisions of the international code, and
gives a detailed account of its history.

The aim of the International Code and its material scope and
definitions and certain known marketing practices to promote the use
of breast-milk substitutes are described, as well as its
implementation and the question of whether or not Member States of
WHO are under a legal obligation to implement it. Modes of
implementation are addressed, as is the monitoring of the
International Code by States, individually and collectively, as well
as self-monitoring by the infant-food industry, and the role of NGOs,
institutions and individuals in the process. An appendix, containing
the text of the International Code, and the relevant resolutions of
the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board of WHO, a
bibliography and a detailed index conclude the volume.
Owner: Sami Shubber Barrister-at-Law, Gray's Inn, UK, former Senior Legal Officer, WHO, Switzerland

Countries

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