What is INFACT?

The Problem:

It is estimated that over 1.5 million children die annually and many millions are malnourished because they were not breastfed.

The worldwide decline in breastfeeding and the subsequent increase of artificial feeding with infant formula is an issue of major public concern. International criticism of the unethical marketing practices by the infant formula industry led to the development of the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes in 1981 and the subsequent relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly. The International Code is designed to curb the marketing of infant formulas and related products in order to protect breastfeeding.  Despite this, infant food manufacturers continue to promote their products.

In developing countries, the increased use of formula has translated into alarming rates of avoidable malnutrition, disease and infant death. Infant formula is nutritionally inferior and provides no immunological protection. These products are marketed in developing countries where high rates of poverty and illiteracy further threaten the lives of infants, due to:

·         the high cost of breast-milk substitutes

·         inability to read preparation instructions

·         lack of clean water for mixing formula, sterilizing bottles and teats

In industrialized countries the marketing and inappropriate use of formula leads to increased rates of infant illness and death.

The Solution:

Scientific research clearly indicates that exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continued breastfeeding to two years and beyond can provide protection from infectious and chronic diseases such as:

• asthma

• cancer

• diabetes

• acute respiratory infections

• gastrointestinal disorders

• obesity

• high blood pressure and cardio vascular

• ear infections

Breastfeeding has also been proven to improve cognitive ability while providing a closer bond between mother and child.

Throughout the world, the protection and promotion of breastfeeding is critical to the health of infants and young children. INFACT Canada seeks to end the unethical marketing by the infant formula and infant food industries through the full implementation of the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and subsequent relevant resolutions of the World Health Assembly.

You Can Help:

INFACT Canada is a national non-governmental organization that works to protect infant and young child health as well as maternal well-being through the promotion and support of breastfeeding and optimal infant feeding practices.

Your support enables us to work for improved breastfeeding policies in Canada and on the world stage through our participation in international policy setting meetings such as the World Health Assembly and the Codex Alimentarius. We also partner with our sister organizations through the IBFAN network to promote breastfeeding in less affluent countries.  As a member of this network, we were awarded the 1998 Right Livelihood Award (the alternative Nobel Peace Prize.)

Our annual membership fee of $ 55 includes a subscription to the INFACT Canada newsletter. For information on how you can become a member, click here or contact: