Readers of the Nestlé International (WHO) Code Action Report Number 6 will recall that in May 2001 the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted Resolution 54.2 on "Infant and young child nutrition". This included a recommendation regarding the optimum duration of exclusive breastfeeding and the age for introduction of complementary foods. Mothers are now recommended to exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of life. The previous recommendation was for four to six months.

Immediately following that WHA, Nestlé announced its support for the new WHA recommendations, stating: "We fully support this new policy as it helps clear up a long standing ambiguity and we hope that it will end the debate over the recommended duration of exclusive breastfeeding."

National governments' reactions to WHA Resolution 54.2 have been varied. Some governments changed their policy or regulation to reflect the revised recommendations. Other countries, for example in Asia, representing well over two billion people, after having closely assessed their public health situation decided to continue recommending introduction of complementary feeding between four and six months of age.

Nestlé labelling policy differs from other companies

In line with our clear policy of support for the new Resolution, Nestlé has consequently completed label changes on complementary foods to follow the six-month recommendation. In addition, to reflect the WHO mandated Expert Consultation on the Optimum Duration of Breastfeeding, we also advise mothers to consult their health professional on the appropriate individual age for the introduction of complementary foods, since the needs of each baby vary.

We took the decision to unilaterally implement those changes in developing countries where we apply the International (WHO) Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes as a minimum. In view of the complexity of regulations pertaining to product registration and labelling in many countries, the process of consultation with national governments was extensive and time-consuming. Nestlé has also consulted with WHO on the basic principles for the change of labels.

Nestlé is the only company manufacturing infant formula and complementary foods to have taken this step, in spite of the risk that this may put Nestlé complementary foods at a commercial disadvantage vis-à-vis competitors' products.

In some markets there might be some lead-time within the distribution chain before products with the new labels appear on the shelves and products with the old labels are no longer found.