While researching for a presentation I'm giving this fall, I noticed that
the WHO code was mentioned, stating they were supportive of it. I asked why
still still allowed direct marketing, free samples, and health care
professional benefits from Formula Companies.  This was their response.
It's quite enlightening :-P I forwarded this to Elizabeth Sterken at Infact
already.  She gave me emails and addresses which we could use to send our
complaints/questions to. If you are interested, please contact me off-list.

Dear Stephanie MacDonald,
Thank you for your email concerning the Code.
Health Canada supports and promotes breastfeeding as the normal and
unequalled way to feed infants and young children. Breastfeeding is
important for their nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and
development. Our initiatives related to breastfeeding have historical roots
in the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (Code)
adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981. Canada, as a member state of
the World Health Organization, recognises the significance of this
marketing Code. After the Code was adopted, Health Canada obtained the
unanimous support of the provinces and territories for the aim and
principles of the Code. At that time, all jurisdictions agreed that the
Code should be implemented in Canada through health promotion, education
and collaboration, rather than through legislation or regulations, in
consideration of the limitations of our authority to prohibit the
advertising of a safe product under the provisions of the Food and Drugs
Act and Regulations. Health Canada continues to support  this position. In
addition, the federal government strongly urges the infant formula industry
to support and implement these principles.
Health Canada is working with the PHAC, Canadian Paediatric Society,
Dietitians of Canada, Breastfeeding Committee of Canada and other experts
to review and update infant feeding recommendations to ensure that the best
and most current information is available to health professionals to assist
them in providing advice to parents and caregivers. It is also recognised,
however, that some infants may not be breastfed for personal, medical, or
social reasons. Their families need support to optimise the infant's
nutritional well-being.
The Food Directorate of Health Canada is responsible for the development of
policies, regulations and standards for all foods. The Food Directorate is
also responsible for the premarket notification process for infant
formulas. The Food and Drugs Act and Regulations require that the
manufacturer of any new infant formula submit a premarket notification to
Health Canada. The premarket notification must include evidence
establishing that the infant formula is nutritionally adequate to promote
acceptable growth and development of infants.
Manufacturers are responsible for the accuracy of information on the labels
and advertisements for food and for compliance with all relevant food
legislation and policies, including those pertaining to health claims.
Subsection 5(1) of the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) prohibits the labelling,
packaging, treating, processing, selling or advertising of any food (at all
levels of trade) in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive to
consumers, or is likely to create an erroneous message regarding the
character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety of the product. If
claims are made that contravene the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations,
Health Canada works with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency if enforcement
actions are required.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Sincerely,
Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion
Health Canada
Ref. Code: 04


I think I shall write them back to look at the evidence the formula
companies handed in which passed their inpsection. There is a commercial
running in prime time lately that says, "a happy baby starts with a happy
Start" or something to that affect. I'm sure you could guess the company.

As an aside - that mom/baby I wrote about earlier is seeing Dr. Newman
today. YAY!  NYA:WEH to all who sent me so much support and information
off-list. I have archived them all :-)


Steph MacD, IBCLC
Canada

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