The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child calls on UK government to better support breastfeeding and regulate the formula industry
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child has been assessing how well the UK government is meeting its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It has concluded, for the third time running, that the government needs to fully implement marketing requirements for breastmilk substitutes.
The Committee expresses concern about:
“Extremely low rate of breastfeeding, and only one percent of women maintaining exclusive breast feeding for six months in 2010, and inadequate regulation of marketing of breastmilk substitutes.”
It recommends the Government:
“Promote, protect and support breastfeeding in all policy areas where breastfeeding has an impact on child health, including obesity, certain non- communicable diseases, and mental health, and fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes.”
A full report on this has been issued by Baby Milk Action and can be found here: