UNICEFPacific/2018/Pirozzi SUVA, 5 June 2020 – As the Pacific region works on the preparedness and response for the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need for strong legislation to protect families from false claims about the safety and role of breast-milk substitutes or aggressive marketing practices.
A new report by WHO, UNICEF, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) reveals that despite efforts to stop the harmful promotion of breast-milk substitutes, Pacific Island countries have few measures in place to protect parents from misleading information.
UNICEF and WHO encourage women to continue to breastfeed during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if they have confirmed or suspected COVID-19.