NAFDAC warns firms against using covid-19 to promote brands

Firms producing infant foods has been cautioned by National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to desist from promoting their brands using COVID-19.

The agency gave the warning in a statement it entitled “COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and guidance note to companies that donate or market breastmilk substitutes for infants.”

It said pursuant to provisions of the NAFDAC Act, CAP N1 LFN 2004 and the Marketing (Breast-Milk Substitutes) ACT CAP M.5 LFN 2004 and the BMS regulations, in keeping with the WHO International Code of BMS, wished to provide clarifications regarding donations of BMS in the context of lockdown and financial barriers occasioned by the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Companies that market foods for infants and young children (breastmilk substitutes) should not provide free products, samples or reduced-price foods for infants (below six months old) to families through health workers or health facilities, except as supplies distributed through government or officially sanctioned health programmes.

“The WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes requires that products distributed in such programmes should not display company brands.

“In this specific instance, the unbranded packaging is to focus on the need to support the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, where necessary in terms of infant and young child feeding, rather than use the pandemic as a platform for brand promotion,” the statement read.

NAFDAC urged all infant food manufacturers/distributors and non-governmental organisations wishing to make foods for infants and young children (BMS) available for distribution, through officially sanctioned health programmes, to observe the clarification provided and approach NAFDAC for the necessary guidance.

Noting that the importance of infant and young child feeding and the continued protection, promotion, and support of breastfeeding during the COVID-19 pandemic could not be over-emphasised, NAFDAC added:

“Breastmilk is the best food for the newborn child as it protects them from sicknesses, it also helps to protect infants and young children.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: Ekiti court fines man N40,000 for not wearing mask

“Breastfeeding is especially effective against infectious diseases as it boosts the child’s immunity by directly transferring antibodies from the mother to the child.”

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now