XUNICEF News and Views

Unfortunately I doubt that many XUNICEFers have connections with government officials who might influence this debate. But some people might be interested in the joint UNICEF/WHO/IBFAN report. Best, Janet Editor's Note:  The UNICEF / WHO / IBFAN report appears below. WHA 73: No ‘sunsetting of the Code please’ – babies need us to be vigilant Resumed online 73rd World Health Assembly 9-14th November 2020 A new draft Decision to be debated at this week’s resumed 73rd World Health Assembly – proposes that the biennial reporting of the marketing of baby formulas and foods – embedded in the Code since its adoption in 1981(1) – should end in 2030. (2) This is despite clear evidence that harmful commercial promotion – especially in countries without effective laws – continues to mislead parents and threaten and infant and young child survival and health. The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) believes that such reporting, should only end when there is, for example, convi...

COP27: can lessons be learned and the trade of UPFs controlled? Extinction Rebellion mass 'nurse-in' London Oct. 2019 Photo: Helena Smith COP27 – Let's learn lessons and control the trade of UPFs For the full story with links CLICK HERE . As world leaders meet in Egypt for the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference ( Cop 27 ), IBFAN is calling for trade rules relating to ultra-processed (UPFs) plastic-wrapped and additive-laden products to be strengthened so that health and the environment is better protected. The industrial food processing used to extend shelf life denatures the food ingredients and can have a disastrous impact on human health. In Brazil, where UPF consumption is low, analysis shows UPF to be a significant cause of premature death. UPFs form 50% of Britons ’ calorie intake. While some products are needed for babies who are not breastfed – and it is a fundamental right for everyone to decide how to feed babies – many UPF formulas, foods and...

An international coalition of public health interest groups working on infant and child nutrition has criticised UNICEF’s support for countries to introduce commercially produced small quantity lipid nutrition supplements (SQ-LNS) – essentially small packets of a paste of legumes/nuts, milk powder, oil and sugar with macro-minerals and micronutrients embedded in it -- into their national nutrition programmes to prevent malnutrition. In a statement, the coalition said the decision was made on the basis of unethical and questionable research riddled with conflict of interest. “Four out of five systematic reviews used as evidence in the UNICEF communication, demonstrate association with one of the major SQ-LNS producers, Nutriset (a French company). We found that there were conflicts of interest in at least 10 out of the 23 trials, with support or co-authorship from Nutriset. Other supporters included Nestle, DSM, Heinz, and GAIN. Nutriset is listed as a global member of the SUN Business...

Editor's Note:  See also IBFAN's counter-call to UNICEF and WHO and the  article by Richard Jolly and Peter Greaves  supporting the call and commending it to all of us.  Dear Charlotte, It has come to my attention and that of many UNICEF retirees, that in June 2020, UNICEF and WHO along with several reputable organizations like Save the Children, BRAC, etc. co-signed a Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS) Call to Action, addressed to all manufacturers of BMS, that they should voluntarily commit to fully abide by the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code) by 2030. The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) that has been a close partner of both UNICEF and WHO for many decades has criticized the BMS Call to Action and issued a strong “Counter-Call to WHO and UNICEF to stop 10-year-license to harm children”. (See attachment). Some of us former senior UNICEF and WHO officials who were directly involved in or are very familiar with the histo...

I suggest that this message be sent out to XUNICEF staff. I don’t know how many have any contacts with government officials, but some might also have contacts with groups that would be willing to join the counter call. I see that IBFAN very much appreciate the fact that Kul, Richard, and Peter Greaves joined their call! There’s no mention as to how they’re using the messages besides posting them on their website. Janet IBFAN and partners call for continued reporting of harmful baby food marketing A   Decision  'noted' at the  73rd World Health Assembly  to end reporting on the  International Code  to the World Health Assembly after 2030 is causing alarm amongst the public health community. IBFAN's statement outlining 10 reasons why the Decision should be recalled or amended is   HERE  .  If you agree with our analysis please share with your  government representatives  and request that the decision is recalled or amend...

From Kul Gautam Dear Charlotte, Thank you for your kind response to the concerns I expressed - also reflecting the views of many UNICEF retirees, including Sir Richard Jolly, and several former senior WHO colleagues - who were actively involved over several decades in the evolution of the WHO/UNICEF policy and difficult negotiations with BMS manufacturers to ensure their full compliance with the historic 1981 International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code). It is not at all our intention to question the sincere motives and commitment of WHO, UNICEF and several reputable civil society organizations (CSOs) with a longstanding record on this matter, when they issued "The Call to Action to BMS producers" encouraging them to end the inappropriate marketing of BMS, and that the BMS companies must comply with the Code in its entirety as per WHA resolutions. I also greatly appreciate your assurance saying, "We will therefore continue to be actively engaged ...

(AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) ( / AP) IBFAN Pakistan supports the Ministry of Health’s Call to Action to Ensure safer Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies. Click HERE for Pakistan Ministry of Health IYCF-E Statement Following Pakistan’s unprecedented Monsoon flooding, IBFAN Pakistan is urging solidarity in supporting the call from Pakistan’s Ministry of Health for appropriate IYCF-E infant and young child feeding in emergencies. In order to avoid unnecessary disease outbreaks and deaths of children, the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding is critical. The agencies are warning that donations of unnecessary ultra-processed products, including formula, should not be distributed to vulnerable communities. During emergencies, disease and death rates among children under five are higher than for any other age group. The younger the infant, the higher the risk of death. Babies are at great risk of water-related diseases, with diarrh...

BREASTFEEDING CHALLENGE TO WHO AND UNICEF Next article >    Petition on Fifth Anniversary   In 1981 the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (the Code). UNICEF was involved with the development of the Code, and subsequently has actively supported governments in the implementation of the Code and relevant later WHA resolutions. But while much progress has been made, and many governments have incorporated the Code, in whole or in part, into their own legislation, baby food companies continue to evade compliance with components of the Code. The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), which has 270 groups in 160 countries, has worked alongside WHO and UNICEF for decades and has monitored Code compliance on a regular basis. The latest attempt of the baby food industry to deflect criticism has been to announce in June 2020 a Breastmilk Substitutes (BMS) Call to Action, issued by WHO and UNICEF and 6 N...

Janet Nelson Arazi Hello, Tom, I contacted GIFA - the Geneva association which is a member of IBFAN and WABA - received back this message with links to some very informative reports about events at the WHA as well as CODEX. " All the analysis that IBFAN does on country positions is mainly posted on the policy blog of my colleague Patti Rundall, from Baby Milk Action/IBFAN UK. You probably know her personally..? I would therefore forward you some articles on the BMA website for any information from IBFAN that is of public domain:  http://www. babymilkaction.org/archives/ 17379  ;  http://www. babymilkaction.org/archives/ 17531  ;  http://www. babymilkaction.org/archives/ 17748  . Patti, please complete if I missed any relevant articles. ” I have clicked on a number of the blogs, which specifically cite the countries that played a leading role on both sides of the debate. Here is a very interesting paragraph on what IBFAN sees as the main issue...