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ISDI and its members are committed to improving nutrition and providing the highest quality products that help meet the nutritional needs of mothers, infants and children. Breastfeeding is the optimal way to ensure the healthy ‎growth and development of infants during the first months of life. When breastfeeding is not ‎an option, however, the only recognised and proven alternatives are scientifically developed and ‎clinically demonstrated breastmilk substitutes (BMS), which are manufactured in accordance with internationally recognised standards[1] (Codex Alimentarius) and local regulations.‎

Access to scientific and evidence-based information on alternative feeding choices enables healthcare professionals (HCPs) to provide the best nutritional advice to parents and caregivers to make informed choices. Scientific and factual information provided to HCPs is consistent with, and supportive of, the medical responsibility of HCPs in providing nutrition recommendations that are evidence-based and meet rigorous scientific standards.

‎The International Code of Marketing of ‎Breast-milk ‎Substitutes (WHO Code) and subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions are recommendations[2] directed to member states, to translate, as appropriate, into local legislation, regulations or other suitable measures based on their national context, aligned with local health development objectives.

The WHO Code covers any and all forms of marketing, including digital marketing. ISDI members comply with all laws and ‎regulations in the ‎countries in which they operate and have extensive internal approval and audit ‎processes in place ‎‎to ensure their online and offline content meets all legal, regulatory ‎and nutritional ‎science ‎requirements.‎ In addition, manufacturers of infant and young child nutrition have their own internal and external mechanisms for policy compliance. Our members support ‎efforts by national governments to ensure compliance with ‎all national laws and regulations.

Our members are ready to ‎work together with all stakeholders to support optimal infant health and well-being.

[1] See the Codex Alimentarius ‘Standard for Infant Formula and Formulas for Special Medical Purposes Intended for Infants’ (CXS 72-1981) and Standard for Follow-up formula (CXS 156-1987; currently under revision)

[2] WHA34/1981/REC/1 (Annex 3) ‘THE LEGAL AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS OF THE ADOPTION OF THE DRAFT INTERNATIONAL CODE OF MARKETING OF BREAST -MILK SUBSTITUTES AS A REGULATION OR AS A RECOMMENDATION’

Safe and nutritious food plays an essential role in providing for the health and wellbeing of ‎people around the world, as well as supporting communities by driving economic ‎development and alleviating poverty. This is especially important during the COVID-19 ‎pandemic.‎

The special dietary foods industries are proud to provide people with the essential safe and ‎nutritious foods they need to live, grow and thrive, as well as support the Sustainable ‎Development Goals of zero hunger, good health and wellbeing through building partnerships ‎for food safety. The quality and safety of food products is, and remains, an absolute priority ‎for our industry.‎

During the current public health crisis, we have put all necessary measures in place to ensure ‎that our foods for special dietary use, such as infant formulas and foods for special medical ‎purposes (FSMPs), are available to provide for the specific nutritional requirements of those ‎that need them most. Furthermore, FSMPs and other nutrition interventions can be a lifeline ‎for COVID-19 patients, providing the essential nutrients they need to recover and thrive.‎

Since 1973, ISDI has supported the work of Codex Alimentarius to establish science-based ‎food standards, guidelines and codes of practice that ensure food safety and quality. As an ‎international organisation, we are committed to continue working with regulators, policy-‎makers and other stakeholders to improve the health and wellbeing of current and future ‎generations, and enhance food security. ‎

Our members around the world work together with national authorities to ensure safe and ‎nutritious foods are available for people with special dietary needs, providing support in ‎regulating food safety along the entire food chain and ensuring international standards are ‎met or even surpassed. Our industry goes further in supporting food security by using ‎sustainably managed and renewable resources, more efficient operations, waste ‎management and environmentally-friendly packaging. Moreover, ISDI members form ‎partnerships for sustainable food production and encourage their partners to adopt best ‎practices.‎

We welcome the third World Food Safety Day as an opportunity to recognise the people who ‎help keep our food safe and celebrate the role of safe and nutritious food in providing for the ‎health and wellbeing of people around the world.‎

ISDI welcomes the publication of the recent article on Complementary feeding of infants and young children 6 to 23 months of age by Chessa K Lutter, Laurence Grummer-Strawn and Lisa Rogers, especially the evidence it provides about the need for complementary feeding and its importance for the growth and development of infants. 

ISDI acknowledges the findings of the article and would like to emphasise that commercially prepared complementary foods are scientifically developed and formulated with the purpose of satisfying the nutrient needs of the target population.

The first years of a child’s life are critical for long-term physical and mental development. ISDI supports the WHO’s recommendation of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life and continued breastfeeding, along with the introduction of adequate complementary foods, for up to two years and beyond.

Around 6 months of age, an infant begins to need more energy and nutrients than those provided by breast milk or infant formula alone, so infants start to transition to a family diet. This process is known as complementary feeding and continues up to 24 months. During this transition, there is an increased need for nutritionally adequate and safe complementary foods that provide energy and essential nutrients for optimal growth and development.

ISDI strongly supports a strict legislative framework to regulate appropriate complementary foods and address the needs of infants and caregivers by allowing high quality and nutritious products whilst safeguarding innovation. Furthermore, we support efforts to restrict levels of added sugars (i.e. mono- and disaccharides). ISDI supports the recommendation that children reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake (WHO, 2015).

It is essential that infants and young children receive the necessary nutritious foods to help set them on a path to a long and healthy life. ISDI, and the manufacturers it represents, are committed to providing the best nutrition to infants and young children. Fortified commercial complementary foods have higher levels of vitamin A and iron, which means they help increase the intake of key nutrients, have high bioavailability and promote increased diversity of the child’s diet. 

For more information about complementary feeding, read our factsheet or visit the dedicated page on the ISDI website. For information about follow-up formula for older infants and young children, please click here.