China will tighten its control over the promotion and marketing of
breastmilk substitutes, an issue blamed for the decreasing rate of
breast-feeding and a threat to healthy nursing for the country's next
generation.
Government agencies have pledged to intensify supervision over such marketing
and will stiffen China's rules governing substitutes, including powdered milk
for infants.
A doctor examines a fragile baby
Thursday in the city of Jieshou, under Fuyang of East China's Anhui
Province. A recent fake milk powder scandal in the city of Fuyang led to
12 deaths and malnutrition complaints from 189 babies. Jieshou has set up
special archives and funds to track the growth of the babies affected by
the shoddy milk powder to better help the victims.
[newsphoto] |
That was the consensus reached Thursday during a one-day workshop on
implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.
The World Health Assembly adopted the international code in 1981 and China
issued a set of national rules in 1995 in line with it.
The workshop was attended by Chinese officials and experts from the health,
quality-control, and commerce agencies, and the food and drug administration,
along with representatives from WHO, UNICEF and a leading overseas NGO.
Eight years ago, 76 per cent of Chinese babies were fed exclusively on breast
milk during their first four months of life. The percentage is only 64 per cent
today due to unregulated promotion and marketing of breastmilk substitutes.
The rate is much lower than the targeted breast-feeding levels set by the
government in its "Outline Plan for Chinese Children's Development, 2001-10."
The issue became urgent following a "killer" milk powder tragedy early this
year, during which a dozen infants died of malnutrition with more than 100
others suffering from so-called "big head" malnutrition disease after being fed
with fake infant formulas in Fuyang, in East China's Anhui Province.
So far this year, more than 180 local officials, mostly marketing watchdogs,
have been investigated, punished or prosecuted for the incident.
Experts attributed the tragedy in Fuyang to irresponsible promotion and
marketing of breastmilk substitutes and dereliction by local marketing
watchdogs.
The international code bans all advertising and promotion of breastmilk
substitutes. But it has been violated in China, according to a survey in six big
cities, including Beijing and Guangzhou. It was conducted by health authorities,
including UNICEF and the International Baby-Food Action Network (IBFAN).
Violations of the code can be found in many places including parts of China's
7,000 baby-friendly hospitals, according to the survey.
