Safety and Safe Feeding Practices Q&A

Published by IFM

How can consumers be sure that infant formula products are safe?

Maintaining the very highest standards of food quality and safety is a core value of IFM member companies. Specific and very strict hygiene and quality management procedures are implemented and continuously improved. Without these rigorous standards, IFM member companies could not have achieved the high level of consumer confidence and strong brand recognition they have built up over the years.

In cases of counterfeit products or products that are opened or contaminated after leaving the factory, government officials must promptly act since this is beyond industry control. IFM member companies possess state-of-the-art laboratories, facilities and systems. Manufacturers exercise stringent quality and food safety controls at every stage. They closely monitor suppliers' products and practices to ensure they comply with quality standards and environmental guidelines, regularly consult leading toxicologists and microbiologists and apply procedures to analyse foodborne hazards and identify potential risks.

Their commitment to comply with all governmental regulations and to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and hygiene in product preparation and packaging ensures that the infant formula is not contaminated and has been approved by the authorities prior to the product's leaving the factory. For a list of IFM member companies, visit www.ifm.net or www.babymilk.com.

WHO estimates that some 1.5 million children die each year because they are not adequately breastfed. What do you say to this?

Although prolonged breastfeeding is common in developing countries, malnutrition among infants and young children is still prevalent. Most children who are not breastfed do not receive infant formula, but rather dangerous substitutes, including sugar water, cornstarch water and whole cow's milk or rice water.

Many studies indicate that a non-breastfed child living in disease-ridden and unhygienic conditions is between six and 25 times more likely to die of diarrhea and four times more likely to die of pneumonia than breastfed infants.

Shouldn't you stop selling infant formula in these situations?

These situations are commonly due to improper preparation, handling and storage methods of infant formula, including use of contaminated water or utensils. IFM supports infant formula use only where the proper conditions are sustainable.

The proper use of industrially processed infant formula has resulted in a dramatic decrease in infant deaths due to malnutrition. When prepared according to manufacturers' instructions, no other breast-milk substitute is as safe as infant formula. Infant formula as the sole source of nourishment meets all the energy and nutrient requirements of most infants for the first six months of life. Complete and culturally-appropriate information is presented visually and verbally on all product labels to decrease the risk of improper product use.

To increase the likelihood that infant formula is properly used, IFM member companies support health workers with information and education about safe and adequate infant feeding practices. With this information, health workers can instruct mothers and caregivers on proper nutrition and avoidance of infection for their infants and young children.

IFM member companies unequivocally agree that breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby. However, like the WHO, we acknowledge the need for safe alternatives to be available for children whose mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed. The UN body that sets international standards for foods, the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius

Commission, recognizes that infant formula is the only nutritionally-complete substitute for breast-milk.

Infant formulas are microbiologically safe if prepared, handled and stored correctly. Special foods for infants with gastrointestinal disorders have been developed and include those that are lactose free, gluten free, contain special fats and/or modified proteins.

It seems that infant formula is being sold in places where water is contaminated. Is this true?

IFM promotes infant formula use only in circumstances in which it can be safely prepared with uncontaminated water. We work with governments around the world to educate health care workers on this topic so they can provide appropriate counsel and assistance to caregivers.

In conjunction with efforts to ensure safe water usage, manufacturers provide label instructions in clear and appropriate local languages on how to prepare their products. IFM member companies foster the understanding that infant formula use is only appropriate in circumstances where it is affordable, sustainable and can be safely prepared.

IFM member companies abide by strict and consistent policies for the distribution of infant formula in all situations, including emergencies and high-risk environments. For example, manufacturers will only donate infant formula for use by HIV positive mothers when requested by a government that can assure appropriate preparation using clean water and distribution through local authorities or health clinics to help prevent transmission from mother to child.

In countries where lack of clean water and sanitary conditions pose a risk to the baby, water used to prepare infant formula should always be boiled. Infant formula manufacturers are fully aware that babies die from incorrect or unsafe bottle feeding.

Whose responsibility is that?

Issues of unsafe bottle feeding are particularly apparent in areas of the world without adequate sanitation, refrigeration or a dependable and safe water supply. However IFM member companies advocate the use of infant formula only in situations where it is safe, affordable and sustainable. IFM member companies do our part to ensure the highest standards of quality, safety and hygiene. We make every effort—through education of health workers, clear labeling and interaction with national governments worldwide—to protect and enhance the health of a baby using infant formula throughout the usage cycle.

In compliance with the WHO code, IFM member companies have no direct contact with mothers. In addition to issues of water safety and preparation concerns, IFM member companies make a significant effort to ensure that there is a clear understanding of the risk of infection relating to a baby's being fed from a contaminated bottle or cup.

Public health authorities must ensure that health care workers and infant caregivers receive effective information and training about hygiene practices to avoid risk of infection.

Always use clean bottles and utensils. In homes with unsafe tap water, bottles and other utensils should be sterilized before using. To do this, place the bottles and utensils in boiling water for five to ten minutes.