The use of breast milk substitutes (BMS) is on the rise around the world. But do baby food companies meet WHO guidelines for marketing their products?

To find out, Westat is partnering with the Access to Nutrition Foundation (ATNF).  Our team conducts in-country assessments of baby food companies’ compliance of the WHO guidelines on marketing BMS.

Westat has completed 5 in-country assessments: Thailand, Nigeria, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India. Brenda Brewer, a Westat Associate Director, presented the findings from the Thailand assessment in Bangkok, Thailand, at a stakeholder meeting in January 2018.  Key assessment findings are:

• The Thai government should reference the Westat report to support the enforcement of new legislation on BMS products.
• Baby food companies should
• Be aware of their responsibilities to comply with  the WHO guidelines
• Strengthen corporate policies inconsistent with the intent of the WHO guidelines and Thai regulations