Mr Chairman, Distinguished Members of the Board. My name is Elisabeth Sterken and I represent IBFAN the International Baby Food Action Network and we appreciate the opportunity to address his meeting on the vital issues of infant and young child nutrition on behalf of Consumers International, a founding member of the IBFAN network and as well the endorsement by Action for Corporate Accountability.

Parents everywhere have the right to receive up-to-date and accurate information about infant feeding products and in the case of powdered infant formulas be informed about the problem of intrinsic contamination by the pathogen, E. sakazakii. Such information is vital in reducing the risk of infection, illness and possibly death. Newborn, premature, low-birth weight and immuno-compromised infants are at particular risk. The recent international recall of one of these products and the deaths of two infants in France are timely reminders of the real risk of this public health hazard. Powered infant formula, the most commonly used breast-milk substitute which when needed may be the sole source of food for infants, therefore requires special consideration in labelling regarding its lack of sterility. The mothers in France were indeed upset that such information was left to the arbitrariness of media reports and industry `hot`lines. Parents expect to receive such vital information through accurate labelling and alerts from governmental authorities. These are critical measures in the risk minimization of these products.

A strong clear WHA Resolution is needed now and is not premature. Codex processes take years to finalise. Conservative estimate is 2008, or possibly 2010 before this is completed. How many more babies need to die? The WHA, with its single mandate to achieve the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right, is the appropriate body to guide Codex. Codex in contrast has a dual mandate which includes the facilitation of trade.

Parents have the right to full and accurate information on which to base their decisions on infant feeding. Infant feeding information must be based on sound independently-funded science. Health and nutrition claims are intended to create a perceived advantage or to idealise in contrast to breastmilk and indigenous complementary foods. In contrast, the scientific basis used to support most claims on infant formulas refers to other formulas, rather than breastfeeding, which is the norm. The effect of such claims is to mislead and deceive expectant and new parents.

Health claims are marketing tools and violate the principles of the International Code and its subsequent relevant resolutions and are as well in conflict with national nutrition policies supporting exclusive breastfeeding. It is in fact illogical for any breastmilk substitute to carry a health claim when science-based evidence confirms that artificially fed infants compared to those breastfed suffer increased rates of mortality, illness, less than optimal development and growth, lower cognitive and visual development, and have increased risk for obesity.

Breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding practices help fulfil the Millennium Development Goals and have the potential to reduce under-five mortality by up to 19%.

The right of parents to independent information is implicit in the International Code and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Sponsorship from the infant feeding products industry creates conflicts of interest and may interfere with unequivocal support for breastfeeding. Some governments, for example, India, Ghana, Azerbaijan and Brazil, have already enacted legislation, which prohibits various forms of sponsorship by this industry.

The potential for bias – present in all research – is reduced if research is commissioned and funded by a disinterested parties rather than one representing commercial interests. All available data should be subject to independent scientific review to ensure a sound basis for public health policies.

A WHA Resolution is needed urging all governments to prevent conflict of interest for those working in infant and young child feeding by prohibiting commercial sponsorship.

In conclusion, IBFAN and Consumers International believe that a Resolution adopted by the 58th World Health Assembly on all these points will provide clear guidance to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and give meaning to WHO’s mandate upholding the principle of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right.

Thank you, Mr Chairman.