In response to recent reports on the proposed legislation on the control of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (BMS) in Thailand, being considered by the National Legislative Assembly, Unicef and WHO stated the following:

1. [The] regulation of marketing of breastmilk substitutes for children aged 0-3 years is the internationally accepted standard and is fully in line with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The Guidance on Ending the Inappropriate Promotion of Foods for Infants and Young Children, adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA) – of which Thailand is a member – in May 2016, clearly states that marketing should not take place for breastmilk substitutes for children up to the age of three years.

2. The global scientific evidence to support breastfeeding is clear and decisive. Breastfeeding is one of the most important and effective things parents can do to prevent stunting, and promote the physical and cognitive development of their children. According to the recent findings of Lancet (2016), breastfeeding is also consistently associated with higher levels of performance in intelligence tests among children and adolescents. Additionally, breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer among mothers.

The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in Thailand is below the global average and the lowest in the Southeast, while aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes to mothers and families is widespread. The introduction of the BMS code into law is becoming more urgent.