Infants' right to food Assessing where countries stand Patricia Ip Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Inappropriate promotion of baby foods Labelled for use from 4 months onwards PIp2

Mother / Baby Clubs PIp3

WBTi assessment Progress since completion in 2008/09 –Public hospitals April Discontinuation of free supplies and no promotion within premises April 2011 – Labels of BMSs delivered to public hospitals vetted –Claims removed or covered –“Powdered formula is not a sterile product” –“Reconstitute in boiled water cooled to no less than 70 °C” –Private hospitals July 2011 – 8/10 have discontinued free supplies PIp4

–Electronic breastfeeding self-learning kit for health professionals: CD - October 2011; Web – 2012 –Information booklet on formula for healh professionals Evidence (lack of) for claims –Revised BF education material for mothers / public –The Hong Kong Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, Foods and Related Products for Infants & Young Children (0-36 months) PIp5

Conflict of Interest Policy making - Drafting of HK Code –Commercial interest in joining Task Force resisted –Commercial lobbying through professional groups, legislative councillors Continuing Education of Professionals, professional functions, self-promotion of professionals Prevent and manage conflict of interest –Refrain from accepting sponsorship from industry –Industry’s sponsorship to central fund; Independent decision of research area, training –Professionals responsible for own continuing education –Declaration of conflict of interest 6

Maternity Benefits Maternity leave: –10 weeks 80% pay Paternity leave: –not by law; in a few private companies Crèches at workplace –Very few Breastfeeding breaks –not by law; Facility to express and store milk in the working place: –voluntary e.g. public hospital staff, health clinics staff PIp7