Abstract
To assess the advances in the Brazilian norm for commercialization of infant foods from 1988 to 2002, comparing the different texts with each other and with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes. This was a descriptive study based on data collected from documents, reports, ordinances and resolutions from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. The versions utilized in the comparison were from 1992 and 2002. Comparative analysis made it possible to identify important advances in the legislation. In 1992, liquid and powdered milk were included in the scope, along with teats and dummies (pacifiers), and also warning phrases in advertising and on product labeling. In 2002, regulations for products were published by the National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance, thereby strengthening supervisory actions and including regulations for baby foods, nutrient formulae for high-risk newborns, and nipple protectors. The phrases used in commercial advertising and on product labeling, including dummies, teats and bottles, became Ministry of Health warnings. The labeling was defined according to product types, on the basis of more restrictive rules. Significant modifications in the control over the marketing of products aimed at mothers during the lactation period. However, there are still some legislative questions that would make it possible to improve the Brazilian norm, in order to protect breastfeeding. There is also a need for the government to implement systematic monitoring routines to supervise this legislation.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have long recognized that exclusive breastfeeding is the ideal feeding method for infant growth and development, especially during the first six months of life
Among the various reasons why breastfeeding is abandoned is the influence from the advertising of baby formulae and whole milk utilized in homemade formulae, and the supplementary foods and cereals for feeding infants, which are usually given in bottles.[9]
The results indicated serious infractions relating to infant foods, dummies, teats and feeding bottles.[8]
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have long recognized that exclusive breastfeeding is the ideal feeding method for infant growth and development, especially during the first six months of life. In 1990, the Ministry of Health’s National Program for Stimulation of Breastfeeding (PNIAM), with support from the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and participation by ABIA, held five training courses on the norm, for healthcare professionals in the different regions of the country These showed that there were difficulties in interpreting the text of the NCIF at that time. The process of revising BNCIF included participation from various segments of society, namely: Ministry of Health (Children’s Health and Breastfeeding; Nutrition; and National Agency for Sanitary Surveillance – Anvisa); Ministry of Agriculture; Public Attorneys’ Office; Parliamentary Advisory Service of the Federal Senate; IBFAN; UNICEF; Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO); SBP; ABIA; Brazilian Association for Child-Rearing Products (APRAPUR), which brings together companies manufacturing feeding bottles, teats and dummies, among other products; and the National Institute for Metrology, Normalization and Industrial Quality (INMETRO)
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