WHO Code and the Ethical Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes (Motion #24-14)

Moved by Berthiaume, Dutrisac. Approved on April 17, 2014, Sudbury & District Board of Health.

Motion

WHEREAS the purpose of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (further referred to as “the Code”) is to protect and promote breastfeeding by ensuring appropriate marketing and distribution of breast milk substitutes; and

WHEREAS Canada has endorsed the Code but has not enacted legislation to encompass or enforce most provisions of the Code; and

WHEREAS the manufacturers and distributors of products covered by the Code frequently violate the Code in the way they market their products; and

WHEREAS locally, 50% of infants at hospital discharge (NIDAY, 2010) and 71% at six months of age are receiving formula, with 39% receiving the brand used in hospital (SDHU, 2012); and

WHEREAS breastfeeding must be protected, supported and promoted to optimize the health of our entire population; and

WHEREAS the Healthy Kids Panel in their report No Time to Wait; The Healthy Kids Strategy (2013) recommends endorsement of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; and

WHEREAS the Board of Health has resolved to seek Baby-Friendly (BFI) designation March 2013 to which compliance and support of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is a requirement;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Health requests the Prime Minister of Canada to enact and enforce the Code through legislation; and

FURTHER THAT this motion be forwarded to the Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care, local MPs, Chief Medical Officer of Health, Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa), Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA), Ontario Boards of Health, Ontario Hospital Association, and Health Sciences North.

This item was last modified on March 7, 2024