LAUSR

In 1981, the 34th World Health Assembly endorsed the International Code of Marketing of Beast-milk Substitutes (IC) to regulate the marketing of artificial baby milk products. Over 40 years have passed, and the marketing of human milk substitutes is still one of the most under-acknowledged risks to infant and child health (World Health Organization [WHO] & United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF], 2022, p. x). The WHO (2022) continues to recommend initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, and introducing solid foods at 6 months while continuing breastfeeding until the infant is 2 years old or beyond. Despite these international recommendations, and similar recommendations by numerous health care organizations in countries around the world, the “formula milk” industry has created even more products that are unnecessary for infant and child growth and development. For a description of the categories of products produced by the companies in the formula industry refer to the glossary in the WHO and UNICEF (2022, p. ix) report. These products are apparently designed and advertised to parents to keep them as customers for as long as possible. This appears to be working, as illustrated by Figure 1. Sales of Commercial Milk Formulas Per Capita (for Ages 0–36 Months), 2005–2019 (WHO & UNICEF, 2022, p. 1). In light of this continuing, unabated marketing of “formula milk,” the WHO and UNICEF commissioned a large study in eight countries (Bangladesh, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, the United 1099943 JHLXXX10.1177/08903344221099943Journal of Human LactationDuckett article-commentary2022