GOVERNMENT has given manufacturers of infant formula and baby food stuffs a one month ultimatum in which they should write to the Ministry of Health indicating challenges they are facing before they can start abiding by regulations contained in Statutory Instrument (SI) 48 of 2006.
The SI 48 regulates the marketing of breast-feeding substitutes in the country and restricts the way that breast milk substitute manufacturers market their products.This was the reason behind a large-scale seizure of infant formula in Mansa and Kasama stores last month.
Infant formula was removed because of the messages and pictures that were displayed on the packaging. The claim is that the packaging made an attempt to persuade mothers to feed their infants the substitute instead of breastfeeding, which is a direct violation.
It is recommended that all women breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of an infant’s life. And while mothers cannot be forced to breastfeed, the guidelines on formula sales are in place to help encourage breastfeeding, which has been proven in multiple studies to provide many benefits to mother and baby.
In an interview yesterday, Ministry of Health permanent secretary Peter Mwaba said his ministry held a meeting with stakeholders on November 24 this year during which it was resolved that manufacturers of baby foodstuffs should explain challenges they face before their products are completely withdrawn from the market.
Dr Mwaba said if stakeholders do not get back to the ministry on the agreed date, Government will take it that they have agreed to follow SI 48 regulations.
He said the ministry is aware that most manufacturers of both infant formula and baby food stuffs are not following what is stipulated in SI 48.
Dr Mwaba said although all stakeholders showed willingness to abide by SI 48 during last month’s meeting, they will have to inform the ministry when they will be able to start following SI 48.
He said all affected stores such as Shoprite, Spur and Pick and Pay have been allowed to sell their remaining stock but have been advised not to order new stock.
Dr Mwaba said government is willing to hold another meeting with stakeholders to agree on the date when the unwanted food products will completely be withdrawn from the market.
He said government will ensure that health related laws are strictly adhered to by all stakeholders.
And Dr Mwaba said the infant formula and baby food that was seized from Shoprite stores in Kasama and Mansa last month will not be returned but will be handed over to court as evidence.
Article extracted from Lusaka Times website http://www.lusakatimes.com/2011/12/22/government-asks-manufacturers-infant-formula-baby-food-stuffs/
PUBLISHED – Thursday, December 22, 2011, 5:14 am