Those of you who are having difficulties getting rid of the formula
companies' gift bags might like to respectfully submit a copy of the
WHO Code to their hospital board/s with the appropriate sections
highlighted to show that these companies are simply ignoring the Code
when providing these 'gifts' and the health workers and the hospital
are violating the code by distributing them. Below are some sections
of the code that specifically apply to distribution of samples and
promotional gifts.

WHO Code Article 5 - the general public

5.1 There should be no advertising or other form of promotion to the
general public of products within the scope of this Code.

5.2  Manufacturers and distributors should not provide, directly or
indirectly, to pregnant women, mothers or members of their families,
samples of products within the scope of this Code.

5.4  Manufacturers and distributors should not distribute to pregnant
women or mothers of infants and young children, any gifts of articles
or utensils that may promote the use of breast milk substitutes or
bottle feeding.

Article 6 covers the Health Care system

6.2  No facility of a health care system should be used for the
purpose of promoting infant formula or other products within the scope
of this Code. This Code does not, however, preclude the dissemination
of information to health professionals as provided in article 7.2

6.3  Facilities of health care systems should not be used for the
display of products within the scope of this Code, for placards or
posters concerning such products, or for the distribution of material
provided by a manufacturer or distributor other than that specified in
article 4.3.

Article 7 - health workers

7.3  No financial or material inducements to promote products within
the scope of this Code should be offered by manufacturers or
distributors to health workers or members of their families, nor
should these be accepted by health workers or members of their
families.

7.4  Samples of infant formula or other products within the scope of
this Code, or of equipment or utensils for their preparation or use,
should not be provided to health workers except when necessary for the
purpose of professional evaluation or research at the institutional
level. Health workers should not give samples of infant formula to
pregnant women, mothers of infants and young children, or members of
their families.

This information is from the IBFAN publication "Protecting Infant
Health" a health worker's guide to the International code of marketing
of breast milk substitutes.

The companies know that these practices are not allowed by the Code
and are unethical in the extreme but will continue to provide and
promote these 'gifts' for as long as hospitals will distribute them. I
still love the quote from Lactnet "what you permit, you promote" and
this applies perfectly in this situation.

Now why was I sitting here on this warm and sunny day, reading the WHO
Code? Studying for an important exam in July of course....
have a nice day :)
Querida