§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will review the United Kingdom voluntary code on direct advertising of infant formula to parents; and if she will consider including within the code formulae which are manufactured for older babies.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe United Kingdom delegation was at the forefront of ensuring that the principles of the World Health Organisation international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes—the WHO code—were incorporated into the EC directive—91/321/ EEC—on infant formulae and follow-on formulae agreed in May 1991. National legislation to implement the directive is in preparation and will require a review of the voluntary UK code, including the products that are covered. The Government are committed to ensuring that the existing restrictions on marketing and advertising are, at least. maintained.
§ Mrs. Bridget PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the Finnish baby milk manufacturer Young Nutrition about the application of the United Kingdom voluntary code on direct advertising of infant formulae to parents.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyDiscussions between representatives from Young Nutrition and officials about the operation of the code of practice for the marketing of infant formulae in the United Kingdom took place before the company launched its products in the UK. As a result, Young Nutrition joined the Infant and Dietetic Foods Association of the Food and Drink Federation and has representation on the code monitoring committee that oversees compliance with the code in the UK.