Egypt Launches New Code to Promote Breastfeeding and Regulate Formula Milk
Egypt has taken a significant step towards promoting breastfeeding and protecting infants’ health with the recent launch of the Egyptian Code for Marketing Breast-milk Substitutes and Baby-Friendly Hospitals.
The code, introduced by the Ministry of Health under the leadership of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, aims to regulate the marketing of formula milk and ensure that healthcare facilities prioritize breastfeeding.
Dr. Abla El Alfy, Deputy Minister of Health and Secretary of the ELCA, emphasized the importance of the code in safeguarding infants’ nutrition.
“The code aims to contribute to ensuring adequate nutrition for infants and young children by protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding. It also seeks to protect breastfeeding from aggressive marketing practices of breast-milk substitutes, bottles, and pacifiers.”
Dr. Abla El Alfy
Deputy Minister of Health
Secretary of the ELCA
The news of the code’s launch was met with enthusiasm by lactation consultants across the country, who feel that their efforts for promoting and protecting breastfeeding are paying off and renew their commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure its successful implementation.
“A momentous occasion took place today with the official announcement of the Egyptian Code for Marketing Breast-milk Substitutes and Baby-Friendly Hospitals. The event, graced by the presence of the Minister of Health and spearheaded by Dr. Abla El Alfy, Deputy Minister of Health, signifies a major step forward in our efforts to promote breastfeeding. This is a dream come true and we anticipate 2025 to be a year of significant achievements for breastfeeding in Egypt”
Dr. Ghada Sayed
IBFAN Arab World Coordinator
Board Member of the ELCA
Key Provisions of the Code
The code applies to a wide range of products, including:
- Infant formula for babies from birth to six months
- Follow-up formula for infants aged 6 to 12 months
- Growing-up milk for children aged 12 to 36 months
- Specialized formula for infants with medical conditions
- Other milk products, foods, and beverages marketed as substitutes for breast milk
Implementation and Awareness
To ensure the successful implementation of the code, the Ministry of Health will undertake several initiatives, including:
- Training healthcare professionals: Raising awareness among healthcare workers about the importance of breastfeeding and the guidelines outlined in the code.
- Public education: Conducting workshops and developing educational materials to inform the public about the benefits of breastfeeding and the risks associated with inappropriate formula use.
- Media collaboration: Working with media outlets to promote breastfeeding and disseminate accurate information.
- Monitoring and enforcement: Implementing mechanisms to monitor compliance with the code and taking appropriate enforcement actions.