In August 2024, UNICEF published a guidance document for ‘Advocates of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes’ (the Code) on how to counter industry arguments against the implementation of the Code. The document alleges 36 common arguments ‘the baby food industry uses to oppose Code legislation’. As the representative association of the baby food industry worldwide, ISDI would like to address some of the misrepresentations in this document.

ISDI and its members strongly believe that breastfeeding provides the best nutritional start for babies. This is why we support and promote breastfeeding during the first six months of life, with the gradual introduction of appropriate complementary foods as advised by healthcare professionals.

This support is enshrined in companies’ global marketing policies that aim to ensure their breast-milk substitute products are marketed responsibly, reflecting the public health goals of the Code to protect and promote breastfeeding and ensure the proper use of breast-milk substitutes. This also means companies voluntarily exceed national law in some markets.

WHO recommendations, like the Code, can only be given legal effect insofar as they are transposed into national law (see here). It is important that such transpositions account for national context; there is no one-size-fits all approach as every country has a unique set of circumstances. This is why the 1981 Code (Art. 11) states that ‘Governments should take action to give effect to the principles and aims of this Code, as appropriate to their social and legislative framework’. This includes the scope of the Code as Member States and organisations interpret the term ‘breast-milk substitute’ differently.

Access to information about appropriate breast-milk substitutes supports the health and wellbeing of infants. Infant formula is the only recognised safe and nutritious alternative to breast milk in the first year of life and is life-sustaining and life-saving in the absence of breast-milk.

Information provided by companies is scientific, fact-based and complementary to the information provided through healthcare systems, which is not always easily accessible or available. Furthermore, interactions with HCPs are consistent with their medical responsibility to provide nutrition recommendations that are evidence-based and meet rigorous scientific standards. This enables parents and caregivers to make informed choices, which is especially important when they cannot or choose not to breastfeed.

Infant formula and other foods for infants and young children are part of the solution to malnutrition, contributing to the achievement of global public health goals and supporting better health and nutrition for infants and young children. Every infant has a right to high quality nutrition, whether breastfed, mixed-fed or formula-fed, and our industry strives to improve the nutritional status and lives of infants and children worldwide.