The plenary of the World Health Assembly has now endorsed the new Resolution on Infant and Young Child Feeding which includes the following language in paragraph 2(4): 

URGES Member States 
to strengthen activities and develop new approaches to protect, promote and support exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months as a public health recommendation, taking into account the findings of the WHO expert consultation on optimal duration of exclusive breastfeeding (this is
footnoted with reference to the conclusions and recommendations of the expert consultation, Geneva 28-30 March 2001), and to provide safe and appropriate complementary foods, with continued breastfeeding for up to two years of age or beyond, emphasizing channels of social dissemination of these concepts in order to lead communities to adhere to these practices."

According to an IBFAN press release, from which the following remarks are adapted, the new Resolution also contains important protective clauses regarding baby food industry promotional practices such as health claims and internet advertising and addresses other issues such as human rights.During the committee debate, there were interventions by 50
member states and 7 international NGOs. Speaker after speaker stressed the
need to do more to protect breastfeeding, especially during the first 6 months of life. 

The 2001 issue of Breaking the Rules, launched by IBFAN during the Assembly, reports monitoring conducted in 14 countries including the USA and has again revealed systematic violations of the International Code of Marketing. IBFAN and Save the Children urged WHO to show caution in its relations with the private sector - and to ensure that its health policies reflect the best available science, rather than the pressures exerted by those with who put economic interests before health.

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