Implementing and Monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in New Zealand:The Code in New Zealand

Implementing and Monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in New Zealand:The Code in New Zealand

Date of publication: 6 August 2007

Summary

Breastfeeding is key to providing the best start for New Zealand infants and it is important for both mother and baby's health. The overall Ministry of Health objectives are to increase the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding practices in New Zealand.

Following a review in 2004 of New Zealand's interpretation of the International Code, the Ministry has prepared a single, standard reference document which now includes the Code of Practice for Health Workers in New Zealand and the New Zealand Infant Formula Marketers' Association Code of Practice for the Marketing of Infant Formula. This will ensure the International Code is more accessible, more effectively used and more easily monitored in New Zealand.

Implementing the International Code in New Zealand is an important part of creating an overall environment that enables mothers to make the best possible feeding choice, based on impartial information and free of commercial influences, and to be fully supported in doing so.

The Health Workers Code, included in this publication, aims to ensure that health practitioners protect, promote and support breastfeeding, giving clear, consistent and accurate information about the importance of breastfeeding and the health consequence of not breastfeeding. The Health Workers Code also requires health practitioners to meet their obligation to give detailed information and advice to parents, caregivers and families of breastfed and formula-fed infants on infant feeding.

Publication availability

This publication is available in PDF format below:

Implementing and Monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in New Zealand: The Code in New Zealand (PDF, 442 KB)

This publication is also available in hard copy. You can order a copy by emailing moh@wickliffe.co.nz or calling 04 496 2277 quoting HP number 4419. Please let us know your name, your physical address and how many copies you would like.

Read our copyright information

Go to information about ordering and downloading publications

Publishing information

Date of publication: 6 August 2007

ISBN numbers: Print 978-0-478-19154-7, Online 978-0-478-19155-4

HP number: 4419

Citation: Ministry of Health. 2007. Implementing and Monitoring the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in New Zealand:The Code in New Zealand. Wellington:Ministry of Health.

Related information

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in New Zealand

Maternity

Breastfeeding

Healthy Eating Healthy Action

Nutrition