Consumer Council criticises code

Press, 13 October 1982, Page 11

Consumer Council criticises code

New Zealand's reluctance to adopt the World Health Organisation's strict code to limit the marketing of breast-milk substitutes has been criticised by the Consumer Council. The council said in a recent statement that it had informed the DirectorGeneral of Health. Dr H. J. H. Hiddlestone. of its “alarm that this country may adopt a weaker code than the international one."

A draft code, prepared in conjunction with local manufacturers. failed to comply with the W.H.O. code in some areas. The council said the draft code did not require exporters of infant formulas to halt supplies to countries where products were being promoted in breach of W.H.O. standards.

Last year the World Health Assembly set a code to restrict the marketing of breast-milk substitutes and promote a return to breastfeeding. It called for bans on advertising and strict guidelines on the label content of

substitute products.

“The W'.H.O. estimates that one million babies die every year in developing countries because of the international trade in breast-milk substitutes." said the Consumers' Institute director, Mr R. J. Smithies.

The promotion, by multinational companies of infant formulas, had for years been an “international scandal.” he said. Mothers had stopped feeding safe. nutritious breast-milk to their babies because of advertising which encouraged a belief that the manufactured product was superior.

“In some cases, mothers make up the infant formula with contaminated water. In other cases they mix it up in weak solution. Babies then sicken and die.” he said.

“The weaknesses of the New Zealand draft code demonstrate that pressure must be brought to bear to ensure the provisions of the W.H.O. code are met,” said Mr Smithies.