I have permission from Ted Greiner to post this letter written to Carol
Bellamy, Executive Director of UNICEF from Michael C. Latham and Ted Greiner
in regard to partnerships being formed with pharmaceutical companies that
make infant formula.


Carol Bellamy
Executive Director
UNICEF
New York, NY 10017 USA
FAX number 1 212 887-7465

Dear Ms. Bellamy,

Recently we read in the British Medical Journal a disturbing article under
the heading "WHO accused of stifling debate about infant feeding." Among
other things this dealt with "the suggestion that the WHO is getting too
chummy with industry." Now we have received reliable information that UNICEF
headquarters is seriously considering entering into partnership with
pharmaceutical companies that produce infant formula and do not comply with
the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in all
countries. Indeed, we understand that one UNICEF professional staff member
has already resigned over this issue, and thus take it that this is
factually based.

UNICEF has so far been the bulwark of support for the Code and the BFHI and
worked amicably with the NGO community in this endeavor.

We urge you to reconsider or reverse any policy which allies UNICEF with
corporations who manufacture infant formula and who have constantly violated
certain parts of the International Code in certain countries. Should UNICEF
enter into partnerships with these corporations, it will result in loss of
credibility and moral authroity, and seriously undermine the excellent
cooperation of UNICEF with the breastfeeding community and many NGOs.

Sincerely,


Michael C. Latham
Professor of International Nutrition
Division of Nutritional Sciences
Cornell University
Ithace, NY, USA


Ted Greiner
Senior Lecturer
Section for International Maternal and Child Health
Uppsala University
Uppsala, Sweden

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