Figure 5.1: Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, 2024
Breastfeeding confers significant health benefits for both mother and child, and importantly lowers the risk of childhood overweight or obesity. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, first adopted the promotion of breast-milk substitutes. In 2024, the WHO published a report analysing national implementation of the Code. Using a scoring algorithm with a maximum of 100 points, the report assesses the extent to which some of the recommended provisions, relatively few closely conform with the Code, and 48 have not enacted any legal measures at all. The strongest legislation has been enacted by countries in the WHO African, Eastern