Infants' right to food Assessing where countries stand
Patricia Ip
Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region
Inappropriate promotion of baby foods
• Labelled for use from 4 months onwards
2011.9.15 PIp 2
• Mother / Baby Clubs
2011.9.15 PIp 3
WBTi assessment • Progress since completion in 2008/09
– Public hospitals • April 2010 - Discontinuation of free supplies and no
promotion within premises• April 2011 – Labels of BMSs delivered to public
hospitals vetted– Claims removed or covered– “Powdered formula is not a sterile product”– “Reconstitute in boiled water cooled to no less than 70 °C”
– Private hospitals• July 2011 – 8/10 have discontinued free supplies
2011.9.15 PIp 4
– Electronic breastfeeding self-learning kit for health professionals:
• CD - October 2011;
• Web – 2012
– Information booklet on formula for healh professionals• Evidence (lack of) for claims
– Revised BF education material for mothers / public
– The Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Foods and Related Products for Infants & Young Children (0-36 months) 2012
2011.9.15 PIp 5
Conflict of Interest• Policy making - Drafting of HK Code
– Commercial interest in joining Task Force resisted– Commercial lobbying through professional groups, legislative
councillors
• Continuing Education of Professionals, professional functions, self-promotion of professionals
• Prevent and manage conflict of interest– Refrain from accepting sponsorship from industry– Industry’s sponsorship to central fund;
• Independent decision of research area, training– Professionals responsible for own continuing education– Declaration of conflict of interest
6
Maternity Benefits• Maternity leave:
– 10 weeks 80% pay
• Paternity leave: – not by law; in a few private companies
• Crèches at workplace– Very few
• Breastfeeding breaks – not by law;
• Facility to express and store milk in the working place: – voluntary e.g. public hospital staff, health clinics staff
2011.9.15 PIp 7
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