LESSON #4
PROTECTING, PROMOTING AND SUPPORTING BREASTFEEDING

The International Code of the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes

When it was introduced, The Code was strongly endorsed by 81 countries, including Canada. In response, formula companies lobbied hard to discourage the Canadian government from making a law to support The Code. Instead, Canada agreed to allow manufacturers of formula to regulate themselves. In other words, Canada does not have a law which ensures that The Code is followed.

Over time, competition between companies who manufacture breastmilk substitutes and artificial infant feeding products has led to increased violations of The Code, in spite of the verbal commitment of the formula manufacturers. For example, manufacturers continue to break the code by providing free formula to hospitals, money for hospital staff education, and free samples of formula to pregnant and breastfeeding women. In addition, they continue to widely promote breastmilk substitutes in the media.

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