The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and other leading experts agree that breastfeeding is the best nutrition for babies. To support breastfeeding, WHO developed a code for the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, including infant formula. Hygeia is proud to support the WHO Code and has registered the company with the United States Department of Health and Human Services under section 11.2 of the Code. Read more about Hygeia’s certification with the US DHHS.
Additionally, Hygeia has established the position of WHO Code Compliance Officer to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations of the Code. This position has been ratified by its Board of Directors. Read more about Hygeia’s WHO Code Compliance.
The health and well-being of new babies is our highest priority and one we share with other parents and members of the breastfeeding and healthcare community. Hygeia intends to fully collaborate with the United States Government both as directed in Section 11.2 of the Code (Hygeia only operates in the United States) and to encourage the US government to adopt and embody the code into national legislation.
Hygeia fully supports the code and its principal monitoring body in the USA, National Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (NABA). The code section 11.4 states that:
11.4 Nongovernmental organizations, professional groups, institutions, and individuals concerned should have the responsibility of drawing the attention of manufacturers or distributors to activities which are incompatible with the principles and aim of this Code, so that appropriate action can be taken. The appropriate governmental authority should also be informed.
We support and encourage Nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s) to support Section. 11.4. We realize that may non-profits may not have the personnel resources to comply with Section 11.4. Some Nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s) have considered monetary donations to NABA as a way of supporting the CODE and its compliance in the USA. We would ask that all members of the breastfeeding community and NGO’s take actions to strengthen the code and its compliance with the ultimate goal of having the code codified into US law.
