Monitoring the international code in west Africa

A paper and recently summarised editorial

Violations of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes have been previously reported in Field Exchange3. A paper and editorial summary recently published demonstrates how Code legislation does not, in itself, ensure Code adherence, and highlights the shortfall in monitoring mechanisms that currently exist. Given the challenges facing policy makers and aid practitioners regarding infant feeding and HIV/AIDS, particularly in environments where artificial feeding may be practised and commercial companies are active, e.g. Southern Africa, upholding the Code should go some way towards realising appropriate and informed decision-making regarding infant feeding choices. (Eds)