Ecuador promotes compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes – Ministry of Public Health

2023-08-11 00:13:28

Quito, August 10, 2023

In some warm corner of Ecuador, in a small community surrounded by mountains and smiles, lives Ana, a dedicated and loving mother. Ana longed for the best for her newborn baby, Martín, and she wanted to provide him with the best nutrition and love from day one. However, like many mothers around the world, Ana was faced with crucial decisions about how to feed her child and what options were the most appropriate.

This is the kind of story that has inspired Ecuador to strengthen the protection of lactation, promoting and monitoring compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. This instrument ensures that the business practices of companies that manufacture, sell and distribute breast milk substitutes, such as infant formulas, do not compromise the health and well-being of infants. The Code guarantees that families have access to accurate and balanced information when making decisions about the feeding of girls and boys.

Main points of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes:

– Prohibits the improper and aggressive promotion of breast milk substitute products. This is because excessive promotion can have a negative impact on efforts to encourage breastfeeding.

– Establishes that free samples of breastmilk substitute products should not be distributed in health care facilities or to mothers. This prevents mothers from being influenced by deceptive promotional practices.

– Regulates that product packages and labels contain clear and precise information, including the benefits of breastfeeding and the recommendation to consult a doctor before using breast milk substitutes.

– Prohibits children’s product companies from giving gifts or benefits to healthcare workers or their family members. This preserves professional integrity and avoids conflicts of interest.

Ecuador, by adopting and applying the Code, demonstrates its commitment to the protection of children’s health. According to a study led by UNICEF, focused on evaluating compliance with the Code in Quito and Guayaquil through a comparison between the years 2017 and 2022, a significant change in perception and knowledge about this regulation stands out.

In 2022, of the mothers surveyed, 17% stated that they had received recommendations to use breast milk substitutes in health establishments, both public and private. This number represents a marked decrease compared to data from 2017, when 31% of respondents reported having received such suggestions. Of 330 mothers of children under 2 years of age, it was found that 48.5% received recommendations to give their child a dairy product other than breast milk in public and private health establishments.

As regards knowledge about the provisions of the Code, the study yielded encouraging results. In 2022, 76% of health professionals consulted expressed having complete knowledge of this instrument. This number is a substantial improvement compared to the data from 2017, when only 49% of professionals claimed to know the Code exhaustively. A particularly positive aspect is that public sector professionals lead in knowledge, with 83% stating that they are aware of the Code’s guidelines.

The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes is not just a set of regulations, but a path to the protection that mothers want to give their daughters and sons.