📍 Tuesday 28th May 6.30-8.30 PM | 📍Warwick Hotel – 14 Rue de Lausanne 1201 – Geneva
During the 77th World Health Assembly, Member States and Civil Society Organizations got together to highlight the concerning rise of aggressive digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes, shedding light on its pervasive and misleading impact on pregnant women, parents and society. During the event, participants discussed possible solutions for addressing this threat to public health, and several Member States pledged support to an upcoming WHA resolution on the issue.
Agenda:
◼ Member States Panel Discussion
◼ WHO’s Guidance on Digital Marketing
◼ The 2024 Code Status Report
◼ New evidence of digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes
Organized by: The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), Save the Children, UNICEF, International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) and the World Obesity Federation
Co-Sponsors: Bangladesh, Brazil, Lesotho, and Mexico.
Lisa Mandell, MBA, IBCLC
Global Advocacy Adviser
International Lactation Consultant Association
Thank you for your interest in the important issue of digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes. We are pleased to share the recording of the side event on this issue that was held during the 77th World Health Assembly on 28 May, 2024, which you can find here.
This side event presented new evidence on the concerning rise of aggressive digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes and its pervasive and misleading impact on pregnant women, parents, and society.
Speakers and topics included:
Nigel Rollins (WHO): 360º View: A critique of commercial milk formula marketing
Patti Rundall (International Baby Food Action Network/IBFAN): Marketing of breast-milk substitutes: national implementation of the International Code, status report 2024
Agnes Miciul (Save the Children Norway): How social media and influencer marketing undermine informed choice: a scoping review
Laurence Grummer-Strawn (WHO): Guidance on regulatory measures aimed at restricting digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes (available in five languages)
Following the presentation the five member states co-sponsoring the event discussed the importance of regulating the digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes:
Dr López Ridaura, Under-Secretary for Health Prevention and Promotion, Mexico
Dr Samanta Lai Sen, Hon Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh
Ana Estela Haddad, Secretary of Information and Digital Health, Ministry of Health, Brazil
Dr Makhoase Ranyali-Otubanjo, Acting Director General, Ministry of Health, Lesotho
Dr Martin Sirengo, Director of Health Coordination, Kenya
This event was organized by International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA). Save the Children, UNICEF, and World Obesity Federation.
This link for the recording takes you to the website of the Global Breastfeeding Collective; the Toolkit on the Collective website includes many useful resources related to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and the protection and support of breastfeeding. This link takes you to an IBFAN webpage where you can find all the national laws that relate to the International Code.
Please share widely, and we encourage you to join the 27 countries that are advocating for a resolution on digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes to be tabled at the 78th World Health Assembly in 2025, as announced by Brazil and Mexico during the debate on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition at the 77th WHA.
