In 2021, the USBC hosted a three-part webinar series: Unpacking Commercial Milk Formula Marketing: Communities, Contexts, and Impacts. This series marked the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and is part of an effort to create a shared understanding of commercial milk formula marketing practices and the disparate impact of marketing practices on communities in the U.S. and around the world. The sessions are available for viewing below. For information on continuing education credits, please visit the Learning Opportunities page.

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The U.S. plays a large role in the global economy but has yet to adopt the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes.

Formula marketing impacts the provision of lactation support to communities with diverse needs.

What opportunities for collective work are there to influence policy on commercial milk formula marketing?

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Updates from the World Health Organization

On April 29, 2022, the World Health Organization launched a new report on the scope and impact of digital marketing to promote breast-milk substitutes. In this presentation, we learn about online exploitive tactics used by the formula milk industry and how these behaviors influence the feeding decisions that today's parents make.

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes was adopted as the Code on May 21, 1981, following its introduction at the 33rd World Health Assembly in May 1980. It was developed as part of a collaboration between the WHO and UNICEF to improve the health and nutrition of infants and young children. Previously, in 1974 at the 27th World Health Assembly, the decline in breastfeeding related to different factors, including the production of manufactured breast-milk substitutes, was addressed. Since adopting the International Code of Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes, Member countries have been urged to review sales promotion activities on baby foods and ​introduce appropriate remedial measures, including advertisement codes and legislation.

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This constellation is in the early formation stage. Conversations are ongoing with USBC member organizations with capacity and interest. If you represent an organization that has interest and capacity in this topic, please reach out to office@usbreastfeeding.org.