THE REGULATORY DEFICIENCIES OF POLISH REGULATION CONCERNING ADVERTISEMENT AND OTHER MARKETING TECHNIQUES RELATING TO PRODUCTS RELEVANT TO PROTECTION OF BREASTFEEDING, WITH SPECIAL REGARD TO THE INFANT FORMULAE. AN OUTLINE OF THE ISSUES
The aim of this article is to draw attention to the regulatory deficiencies of Polish regulation concerning advertisement and other marketing techniques related to products relevant to protection of breastfeeding, with special regard to infant formulas, and the evaluation of its effectiveness for breastfeeding protection. This regulation is non-transparent, heterogeneous and to a great extent unclear. It is also ineffective and insufficient for the protection of breastfeeding. It is much less rigorous than the standard established by the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes i.e. WHO Code. The main conclusion is that irrespective of the need for improvement of the promotion of breastfeeding, including lactation education of medical staff and parents, legislative changes are necessary in the field of the marketing of food intended for infants and young children, feeding bottles and teats. The best solution would be the full implementation of the WHO Code including subsequent WHA resolutions.