International Code

International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes

International Code

and subsequent resolutions

What Is The International Code

This is an introduction to the provisions of the International Code and Resolutions

The World Health Organization and UNICEF have for many years emphasized the importance of maintaining the practice of breastfeeding, and of reviving the practice where it is in decline, as a way to improve the health and nutrition of infants and young children. A variety of factors influence the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding.

The 27th World Health Assembly in 1974 noted the general decline in breastfeeding related to different factors including the production of manufactured breast-milk substitutes and urged Member countries to review sales promotion activities on baby foods and to introduce appropriate remedial measures, including advertisement codes and legislation where necessary.

The 33rd World Health Assembly, en May 1980, endorsed in their entirety the statement and recommendations agreed by consensus at this joint WHO/UNICEF meeting and made particular mention of the recommendation that “There should be an international code of marketing of infant formula and other products used as breast-milk substitutes”.

In May 1981 the Health Assembly debated the issue after it had been introduced by the representative of the Executive Board. It adopted the code, as proposed, on 21 May by 118 votes. (WHO)

The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981 as a “minimum requirement” to protect infant health and is to be implemented “in its entirety.” This document introduces the key provisions of the International Code and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly.

Code and subsequent resolutions

Resolutions

Source: World Health Organization (WHO). Nutrition and Food Safety – Code and subsequent resolutions.
Available at: https://www.who.int/teams/nutrition-and-food-safety/food-and-nutrition-actions-in-health-systems/code-and-subsequent-resolutions
Accessed on: 21 Dec 2025.

A69/7 Add. 1 – Maternal, infant and young child nutrition – Report by the Secretariat
Guidance on ending the inappropriate promotion of foods for infants and young children
Provisional agenda item 12.1, 13 May 2016
Arabic | Chinese | English | French | Russian | Spanish

WHA49.15 – Infant and young child nutrition
Geneva, 20-25 May 1996
English | French | Spanish

WHA47.5 – Infant and young child nutrition
Geneva, 2-12 May 1994
English | French | Spanish

WHA45.34 – Infant and young child nutrition and status of implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
Geneva, 4-14 May 1992
English | French

WHA43.3 – Protecting promoting and supporting breast-feeding
Geneva, 7-17 May 1990
English | French

WHA41.11 – Infant and young child nutrition
Geneva, 2-13 May 1988
English | French

WHA39.28 – Infant and young child feeding
Geneva, 5-16 May 1986
English | French

WHA37.30 – Infant and young child nutrition
Geneva, 7-17 May 1984
English | French

WHA35.26 – International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
Geneva, 3-14 May 1982
English | French

WHA34.22 – International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes
Geneva, 4-22 1981
English | French

WHA33.32 – Infant and young child feeding
Geneva, 5-23 1980
English | French

WHA31.47 – The role of the health sector in the development of national and international food and nutrition policies and plans, with special reference to combating malnutrition
Geneva, 8-24 May 1978
English | French

WHA27.43 – Infant nutrition and breastfeeding
Geneva, 7-23 1974
English | French

What Is The International Code

This is an introduction to the provisions of the International Code and Resolutions

In May 1981 the Health Assembly debated the issue after it had been introduced by the representative of the Executive Board. It adopted the code, as proposed, on 21 May by 118 votes. (WHO)

The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981 as a “minimum requirement” to protect infant health and is to be implemented “in its entirety.” This document introduces the key provisions of the International Code and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly.

A unique instrument

The International Code is a unique and indispensable tool to protect and promote breastfeeding – an equally unique but threatened practice – and to ensure that marketing of breastmilk substitutes, feeding bottles and teats is appropriate. The International Code was the first of its kind, an internationally adopted and endorsed basic minimum requirement to protect healthy practices in respect of infant and young child feeding. Although less binding than a treaty or a convention, the International Code is an international public health recommendation to regulate the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA).

The Implementation and Global Impact of the International Code

The WHA comprises the Ministers of Health of the worlds governments, and their advisers, eminent experts in the field of public health or specific health issues. Although the United States voted against the International Code in 1981, thirteen years later the Clinton Administration endorsed the Code in the WHA Resolution of 1994, giving the International Code the support of every Member State of the WHA.

The International Code was prepared by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) after a process of widespread consultation with governments, the infant feeding industry, professional associations and NGOs. It is weaker than the ideal and some definitions and articles are open to interpretation. The industry has used imaginative methods to circumvent certain elements.

When the International Code was adopted under WHA Resolution 34.22 it was recognised that experience and new scientific thinking would require the issue to be re-visited. The Director General of WHO was charged with producing a report in even years on the state of implementation and to give suggestions for further action. Accordingly Resolutions have been adopted clarifying and amplifying the International Code. These subsequent, relevant Resolutions enjoy the same status as the International Code itself.

The International Code and Resolutions are to be implemented in a variety of ways:

Member States of WHA are to implement the International Code in national measures in its entirety as a minimum requirement. They should similarly implement subsequent WHA Resolutions.
Manufacturers and distributors are called on to abide by the International Code independently of other measures.
NGOs, professional groups, institutions and individuals are called on to report violations.
Other international bodies, such as the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, are called on to support and promote implementation of the International Code.
The provisions of the International Code and Resolutions have been incorporated into other international agreements such as the Innocenti Declaration and parts of it in directives of the European Union.
Implementation of the International Code and Resolutions is recognised as one measure for governments to take to fulfil a countrys obligations under the Convention of the Rights of the Child

More: Publications

Breastfeeding Advocacy Toolkit

Build your knowledge base with a comprehensive set of information and tools for breastfeeding advocates.

CLICK HERE

PUBLICATIONS

Policy basics

Compilation of essential documents

CLICK HERE

PUBLICATIONS