Compliance with the labeling of commercial milk formulas according to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (WHO [World Health Organization] Code) helps to protect and promote human breastfeeding, and to prevent marketing from encouraging the use of substitutes. The objective was to evaluate compliance with WHO Code provisions regarding the labeling of starter, special and follow-up formulas, and growing up milks in the city of Buenos Aires during July, August and September 2019. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach was conducted in 93 labels. The methodology proposed by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and the International Code Documentation Centre (ICDC) in the document Code Monitoring Tool (2015) was applied. RESULTS: While 90.32% fail to comply with at least one requirement defined in Art.9 of the WHO Code, 88.17% of the analyzed labels fail due to the presence of texts and images that discourage breastfeeding. DISCUSSION: The labels partially comply with the WHO Code guidelines according to the research tool used. Therefore, it is suggested to guarantee the protection of the right to adequate nutrition during early childhood through the monitoring, control and inspection of the Code by health authorities.