It is the advertising of feeding bottles to the general public that Medela
is doing that breaches the code. Medela are well aware of the issue.
Article 2. Scope of the Code
The Code applies to the marketing, and practices related thereto, of the
following products: breast-milk substitutes, including infant formula; other
milk
products, foods and beverages, including bottlefed complementary foods, when
marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, with or without
modification, for
use as a partial or total replacement of breast milk; feeding bottles and
teasts. It also
applies to their quality and availability, and to information concerning
their use.
Article 5. The general public and mothers
5.1 There should be no advertising or other form of promotion to the general
public
of products within the scope of this Code.
Karleen Gribble
Australia
----- Original Message -----
From: "Marianne Vanderveen-Kolkena" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 9:32 AM
Subject: The Code and applicable articles
Hello all,
I already got in touch with the Medela-reps in the Netherlands, but it looks
as if I either didn't understand it myself and gave the wrong message, or
did give the right message and they don't understand... :-s I would love
some help.
I just checked the Code and copied the articles I think are applicable to
the bottles and teats on the Medela-wbsite. I would be very happy if someone
could give me some feedback on whether these are the items I should inform
them about as being a violation, as I sometimes find it hard myself, to
exactly point out the problem... (I'm not over 60 yet, so not as experienced
as Linda... Linda, I laughed out loud on your funny postings concerning the
pink hair and the cd's in the (cat) trash! hahaha).
Thanks in advance for replying to me, on or off the list, whichever is
preferred by the poster, but don't bash me: I'm trying hard to come to grips
with this issue! :o)
Please add and explain about any relevant items or wordings either on the
site or in the Code.
Regards,
Marianne Vanderveen, Netherlands
Article 2. Scope of the Code
The Code applies to the marketing, and practices related thereto, of the
following products: breastmilk substitutes, including infant formula; other
milk products, foods and beverages, including bottle-fed complementary
foods, when marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, with or
without modification, for use as a partial or total replacement of
breast-milk; feeding bottles and teats. It also applies to their quality and
availability, and to information concerning their use.
Article 2. Scope of the Code
The Code applies to the marketing, and practices related thereto, of the
following products: breastmilk substitutes, including infant formula; other
milk products, foods and beverages, including bottle-fed complementary
foods, when marketed or otherwise represented to be suitable, with or
without modification, for use as a partial or total replacement of
breast-milk; feeding bottles and teats. It also applies to their quality and
availability, and to information concerning their use.
4.2 Informational and educational materials, whether written, audio, or
visual, dealing with the feeding of infants and intended to reach pregnant
women and mothers of infants and young children, should include clear
information on all the following points:
1. the benefits and superiority of breastfeeding;
2. maternal nutrition, and the preparation for and maintenance of
breastfeeding;
3. the negative effect on breastfeeding of introducing partial bottle
feeding;
4. the difficulty of reversing the decision not to breastfeed; and
5. where needed, the proper use of infant formula, whether manufactured
industrially or home prepared.
When such materials contain information about the use of infant formula,
they should include the social and financial implications of its use; the
health hazards of inappropriate foods or feeding methods; and, in
particular, the health hazards of unnecessary or improper use of infant
formula and other breastmilk substitutes. Such materials should not use any
pictures or text which may idealise the use of breastmilk substitutes.
Article 5. The general public and mothers
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.
5.3 In conformity with paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article, there should be
no point-of-sale advertising, giving of samples, or any other promotion
device to induce sales directly to the consumer at the retail level, such as
special displays, discount coupons, premiums, special sales, loss leaders
and tie-in sales, for products within the scope of this Code. This provision
should not restrict the establishment of pricing policies and practices
intended to provide products at lower prices on a long-term basis.
5.4 Manufacturers and distributors should not distribute to pregnant women
or mothers of infants and young children any gifts of articles or utensils
which may promote the use of breastmilk substitutes or bottle feeding.
5.5 Marketing personnel, in their business capacity, should not seek direct
or indirect contact of any kind with pregnant women or with mothers of
infants and young children.
7.2 Information provided by manufacturers and distributors to health
professionals regarding products within the scope of this Code should be
restricted to scientific and factual matters, and such information should
not imply or create a belief that bottle feeding is equivalent or superior
to breastfeeding. It should also include the information specified in
Article 4.2.
11.3 Independently of any other measures taken for implementation of this
Code, manufacturers and distributors of products within the scope of this
Code should regard themselves as responsible for monitoring their marketing
practices according to the principles and aim of this Code, and for taking
steps to ensure that their conduct at every level conforms to them.
11.4 Nongovernmental organisations, professional groups, institutions, and
individuals concerned should have the responsibility of drawing the
attention of manufacturers or distributors to activities which are
incompatible with the principles and aim of this Code, so that appropriate
action can be taken. The appropriate governmental authority should also be
informed.
11.5 Manufacturers and primary distributors of products within the scope of
this Code should apprise each member of their marketing personnel of the
Code and of their responsibilities under it.
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