Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 51)
The aim is to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants by protecting and promoting breastfeeding and ensuring the proper use of breastmilk substitutes and supplements based on adequate information and appropriate marketing and distribution.
The Code applies to breastmilk substitutes including infant formula, other milk products and complementary foods marketed as partial or total replacements for breastmilk, and infant feeding bottles and teats.
An infant is defined as a person aged 0 to 12 months.
The Code prohibits any advertising, promotion, or marketing materials for products covered unless approved by an inter-agency committee; bans giving samples, gifts, or supplies to the general public or mothers; and disallows point-of-sale advertising or promotions directly to consumers.
Violators may be punished with imprisonment from two months to one year, or a fine from P1,000 to P30,000, or both. For juridical persons, responsible officers are also liable.
The Ministry of Health is principally responsible for implementation and enforcement of the Code.
Labels must include 'Important Notice,' a statement of breastfeeding's superiority, a statement that the product should only be used on health worker advice, instructions for proper preparation, warnings about improper preparation, and must not idealize infant formula with pictures or text.
No, health workers are prohibited from accepting financial or material inducements from manufacturers or distributors except as provided under rules from the Ministry of Health.
The committee reviews, approves, or disapproves advertising and marketing materials for covered products, prescribes internal procedures, and promulgates necessary rules for the Code’s implementation.