Code Compliance By The Infant Formula Industry

Abstract

article 7 of the who code requires that the industry, that is, manufacturers and distributors, irrespective of any action taken by member states, is responsible “for monitoring their marketing practices conforming to the principles and aim of the Code and for taking steps to ensure that their conduct at every level conforms to them.”’ The code also proscribes, among other things, infant formula manufacturers and distributors from gaining market share by offering incentive bonuses or quotas set specifically for sale of breast-milk substitutes. However, the payment of bonus is permitted if it is “based on the overall sales by a company of other products marketed by it.”’ The industry representatives are disallowed to “perform educational functions in relation to pregnant women or mothers of young infants and young children.” However, they can be “used for other functions by the health care system at the request and written approval of the appropriate authority of the government concerned.”’ An evaluation of the code compliance by the infant formula industry is hampered by a variety of factors that makes all claims and counter-claims as to the industry compliance, or lack thereof, highly suspect.