[pronut-hiv] Become a Code monitor for WBW

["ProNut-HIV" <pronut-hiv@healthnet.org>]

[wabapenang] become a Code monitor for WBW

Look What They're Doing!
Become a Code monitor for World Breastfeeding Week.

The theme of World Breastfeeding Week 2006 is Code Watch: 25 Years of
Protecting Breastfeeding. You can find out more about it at:
www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org/ 

The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes was
adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981, and aims to protect
breastfeeding from unethical marketing practices by the baby food
industry. The main principle of the Code is that there should be no
advertising or any other form of promotion of infant formulas,
follow-on milks, feeding bottles or teats. Complementary foods, such
as cereals and baby food in small jars, should not be promoted for use
below the age of six months. Companies invest millions in promotion
because it is effective: their sales increase.

Are companies in your town or village following the Code?  Or are they
still trying to persuade mothers, fathers or anyone else to buy and
use breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles or teats?

Are there special promotions of baby milks in the shops? Do mothers
receive gifts, samples or discount coupons? Do doctors or nurses
promote artificial feeding instead of breastfeeding?  Are there
posters, calendars or other materials in hospitals or clinics that
advertise baby milks, baby food, bottles or teats? Are baby food
companies creating conflicts of interest by sponsoring conferences on
infant feeding for health professionals?

These are just some ways companies persuade mothers to give up
breastfeeding and buy their products. Can you find any of these or
other examples of promotion? Marketing techniques differ from country
to country. It will be interesting to have an overview.
Let us know what's happening!

During World Breastfeeding Week, from 1 to 7 August, we want you to
let us know how companies are marketing their products in your
neighbourhood. Please take a picture of any promotional activity or
advertisement that you spot, and fill in the special `Quick and Easy'
downloadable form available to you at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org.
All you need to do is download the form, complete it, attach the
picture or image (if any) in jpg or jpeg format, or simply describe
the promotion and send it to wbw.06@yahoo.com.

It is very important that you give detailed information about who,
what, when and where!  (which company, what brand, what day, hospital
or magazine or doctors' office in*place)

Please note that your identity will be kept confidential, but your
name and email are needed for authentication purposes and any
follow-up questions.  Also give your country as that is hard to figure
out from email addresses these days.

Thanking you in advance and we shall all be able to share the results
on the same website at www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org.

Annelies Allain
International Code Documentation Centre, Penang, Malaysia
WABA Code Compliance Taskforce co-coordinator