Breast-milk Substitutes: Breaches of Marketing Code

HL Deb 19 February 1997 vol 578 cc55-6WA

Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have any evidence that the Gerber, Mead Johnson, Nestlé, Nutricia and Wyeth companies have breached the 1981 International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, as alleged by UNICEF and others; and, if so, whether they will reduce and, if possible, stop, their purchasing from these companies.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)

The Government are concerned about possible breaches of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. The Government are not aware of any breaches of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in the United Kingdom.