"The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes" is the first original legal instrument of its kind adopted by the World Health Organization, in cooperation with UNICEF. The International Code, for the first time at the international plane, deals with a health issue that is of considerable importance to any society, namely, the healthy growth and development of infants. This volume is a thorough analysis of the provisions of the international code, and gives a detailed account of its history. The aim of the International Code and its material scope and definitions and certain known marketing practices to promote the use of breast-milk substitutes are described, as well as its implementation and the question of whether or not Member States of WHO are under a legal obligation to implement it. Modes of implementation are addressed, as is the monitoring of the International Code by States, individually and collectively, as well as self-monitoring by the infant-food industry, and the role of NGOs, institutions and individuals in the process. An appendix, containing the text of the International Code, and the relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly and the Executive Board of WHO, a bibliography and a detailed index conclude the volume.

This volume aims to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding, and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution.

Sets out a carefully developed - and extensively tested - methodology for use by authorities in countries when evaluating their action to implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The framework, which can be adapted as appropriate, offers a standardized method of information and data collection for monitoring progress over time. The Code was adopted in 1981 with the aim of contributing to "the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution." During the period 1990-1991, WHO provided technical support to 14 countries that had indicated a desire to undertake an in-depth review and evaluation of their own experiences in giving effect to the Code. During this review, governments used a common review and evaluation framework, prepared by WHO. The original framework has subsequently been revised and expanded in the light of experience and lessons learned in other countries, including field tests in Ecuador and Thailand. The resulting common framework is presented in full detail in this volume, which follows the basic structure of the Code. Each of the eleven articles is covered in separate sections with three parts: a summary of the main focus, a description of critical issues, and suggested key informants. Use of the framework is greatly facilitated through the inclusion of numerous sample questionnaires.

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is the first original legal instrument of its kind adopted by the World Health Organization, in cooperation with UNICEF. The International Code, for the first time at the international plane, deals with a health issue that is of considerable importance to any society, namely, the healthy growth and development of infants. This volume is a thorough analysis of the provisions of the International Code, and gives a detailed account of its history. The aim of the International Code, its material scope and definitions, and certain known marketing practices to promote the use of breast-milk substitutes are described, as well as its implementation and the question of whether or not Member States of WHO are under a legal obligation to implement it. Modes of implementation are addressed and the monitoring of the International Code by States, individually and collectively, as well as self-monitoring by the infant-food industry, and the role of NGOs, institutions and individuals in the process. An appendix, containing the text of the International Code, and the relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly of WHO, and a bibliography and a detailed index conclude the volume.