Advertising of infant formula still occurs in some countries, but more often companies advertise other products such as follow-on formulas. Often these products have the same name as the infant formula and so effectively promote the infant formula as well. Promotion to health professionals Promotion to health workers is banned by the International Code Articles 6.2 and 7.2 and information provided must be limited to scientific and factual matters. In 1996 the World Health Assembly adopted Resolution WHA49.15 calling for Member States to adopt measures to ensure that financial support for health workers does not give rise to conflicts of interest. The International Code Article 7.5 requires that any funding provided by a manufacturer or distributor of breastmilk substitutes is reported.
Health professionals are an important target for the baby food industry's promotion.
If a company succeeds in persuading a health worker, it can influence the infant feeding choices of many mothers. Companies continue to provide gifts to health professionals and offer sponsorship to them and their professional organisations. I wish it would be otherwise. Many companies give gifts of calendars, posters, pens, notepads and growth charts bearing company logos and often brand names or pictures of products. Conferences are arranged in luxurious conditions.