WHO Code Resources
International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
Resources for lactation professionals and supporters
All health workers, paid and unpaid, especially those working with families and infants, have a responsibility to encourage and protect breastfeeding, and to make themselves familiar with their responsibilities under the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and all subsequent, relevant World Health Assembly resolutions (the Code). This page is a curated collection of resources to provide the information needed to do so. These resources and more can also be found in the Global Breastfeeding Collective Toolkit.
The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes was adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA) in 1981, intended to be incorporated in national legislation as a minimum requirement. Its aim is to provide safe and adequate nutrition for infants by protecting breastfeeding and the proper use of breastmilk substitutes when necessary. The Code has been clarified and expanded through numerous WHA resolutions and by the WHO Guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children. References to the Code should be understood to include all of these.
For those who are IBCLCs, the Code of Professional Conduct for IBCLCs states: “A crucial part of an IBCLC’s duty to protect families is adherence to the principles and aim of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly’s resolutions.”
Remember, this is a code of marketing: it does not prohibit use or sale of the covered products but regulates their promotion.
This link includes the original Code, and links to all subsequent, relevant resolutions, including the Guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children.
This new guide (published 2023) seeks to consolidate the provisions of the Code, WHA resolutions and the Guidance in one place. It is intended to facilitate readers’ ability to improve implementation of and compliance with the Code, and identify violations.
This model policy presents a draft policy for healthcare professional associations to end the inappropriate promotion of commercial milk formula by refusing all forms of sponsorship from companies that market these products. It encourages associations to embrace the benefits of breastfeeding and prioritize the well-being of infants and young children by promoting evidence-based practices and avoiding potential conflicts of interest.
This document presents six case studies of healthcare professional associations from different countries that have successfully ended their acceptance of sponsorship from commercial milk formula companies. The document highlights the challenges, arguments, and strategies used by these associations to prioritize ethical practices and protect the best interests of infants and young children by promoting breastfeeding.
This document provides practical guidance for healthcare professional associations on how to fund educational programs, conferences, and meetings without accepting sponsorship from commercial milk formula companies. It emphasizes the importance of exploring alternative revenue streams, such as registration fees, membership dues, and partnerships with other organizations, while promoting ethical practices and prioritizing the well-being of infants and young children.
This short 2-page pamphlet (published in 2022) offers a quick guide summarizing the Code, and highlights the role of health care workers and health facilities.
This resource (published in 2023) provides in-depth information on how the baby food industry engages in interference and creates conflicts of interest.
This FAQ (published in 2020) answers many questions that health workers may have on their responsibilities under the Code.
This Information Note clarifies what types of sponsorship of health professional and scientific meetings by the baby food industry are inappropriate.
This free e-course titled, Introduction to the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and updated in 2023, provides a thorough introduction to the Code.
This 2024 Status Report provides information on the status of implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) and subsequent relevant World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions (collectively referred to as “the Code”) in countries.
This report from Save the Children and other organizations (published in 2018) provides excellent information on the importance of regulating the marketing of commercial milk formula.
This advocacy brief from the Global Breastfeeding Collective (2019) provides information and evidence on the harms of formula marketing and a call to action to protect breastfeeding.
This report (published in 2022) from WHO and UNICEF summarizes the findings of a multicountry study examining the impact of formula milk marketing on infant feeding decisions and practices. It exposes the aggressive marketing practices used by the formula milk industry, highlights the impacts on women and families, and outlines opportunities for action.
This report from the World Health Assembly requested that WHO develop guidance for Member States on regulatory measures aimed at restricting the digital marketing of breastmilk substitutes. This guidance (published in 2023) applies to marketing of products within the scope of the Code as well as foods for infants and young children that are not breast-milk substitutes.
This report (published in 2022) from WHO examines in depth the scope, techniques and impact of digital marketing strategies for the promotion of breastmilk substitutes.
