Legal and Ethical issues in Infant Feeding

• Duration: 60 Mins
• Credits: 1 CERP, 1 E-CERP
• Handout: Yes

Abstract:

Food/nutrition is a basic need of individuals. Unethical, uncontrolled marketing practices have added to age-old confusions and misconceptions. Products are subtly portrayed as essential and convenient to “modern parents”.
Since the time that WHO/UNICEF has declared an International Code, many WHA resolutions have been resolved. Convention on the Rights of the Child accepts the right to enjoy a highest attainable standard. Innocenti Declaration was adopted on Protection, Promotion and Support of Breastfeeding.
It is important to support woman, by enacting legislation and adopting its enforcement and by providing adequate paid maternity benefits/leave.
The Indian government has enacted the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles & Infant Foods Act.
People should be vigilant enough to realize that legislations are not merely pieces of paper. Health workers have a moral and ethical responsibility to provide health education and report violations by becoming a “Watch-guard”.
Even after many legislations, some manufacturers are behaving as if these recommendations don’t affect them and have ignored or just given lip services. Health workers, and the general population has a great influence on decision making. There is need to follow laws in spirit rather than words.

Learning Objectives: