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The Thirty-fifth World Health Assembly,
Recalling resolution WHA33.32
on infant and young child feeding and resolution WHA34.22
adopting the International Code
of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes;
Conscious that breastfeeding is the
ideal method of infant feeding and should be promoted
and protected in all countries;
Concerned that inappropriate infant
feeding practices result in greater incidence of infant
mortality, malnutrition and disease, especially in conditions
of poverty and lack of hygiene;
Recognizing that commercial marketing
of breastmilk substitutes for infants has contributed
to an increase in artificial feeding;
Recalling that the Thirty-fourth World
Health Assembly adopted an international code intended,
inter alia, to deal with these marketing practices;
Noting that, while many Member States
have taken some measures related to improving infant and
young child feeding, few have adopted and adhered to the
International Code as a "minimum requirement"
and implemented it "in its entirety", as called
for in resolution WHA34.22;
1. URGES Member States to give
renewed attention to the need to adopt national legislation,
regulations or other suitable measures to give effect
to the International Code;
2. REQUESTS the Director-General:
(1) to design and coordinate a comprehensive
programme of action to support Member States in their
efforts to implement and monitor the Code and its effectiveness;
(2) to provide support and guidance
to Member States as and when requested to ensure that
the measures they adopt are consistent with the letter
and spirit of the International Code;
(3) to undertake, in collaboration
with Member States, prospective surveys, including statistical
data of infant and young child feeding practices in
the various countries, particularly with regard to the
incidence and duration of breastfeeding.
May 1982
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