Statement to the 78th World Health Assembly -  Digital marketing of breast milk substitutes

World Obesity welcomes the resolution on regulating the digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

The pandemic of obesity and NCDs has deep roots in malnutrition during the first 1000 days of life and particularly in lack of adequate breastfeeding practices. Vital for child and maternal health, it helps prevent overweight, obesity, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including breast cancer. Aggressive digital marketing of breast-milk substitutes undermines breastfeeding and contravenes the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes.

We urge Member States to adopt the WHO resolution and implement mandatory regulations in line with the Code and WHO guidance, including those related to digital marketing and the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children.

We must keep working together to accelerate the adoption, implementation, surveillance, enforcement, and resourcing, while safeguarding policies from industry interference to protect the lives of infants and mothers worldwide.