In Point 5B, the Board recognizes cultural variations in the understanding of food supplements, vitamins, minerals and medications. An item one culture views as a food supplement might be regarded as a medication in another culture. A substance that promotes healing might be considered a medication in one culture but not in another. The new guidelines also reaffirm our adherence to the WHO International Code of Marketing Breast Milk Substitutes. The revised guidelines also reflect the Board's intent to respect the different cultures, local interests and standards in our global organization.
Conferences are an integral part of our mission.
These guidelines will help promote respect for LLLI's organization-wide principles while maintaining sensitivity to local interests and concerns. Those who have been in LLL long enough might remember the days when Leaven was an eight-sided black and white newsletter with no advertising. The primary reasons are rising expectations and financial pressures. As an organization, we enjoy a more polished and prestigious image in the breastfeeding world today and want our publications to reflect this image. Unfortunately the cost to do this has increased also.