Advertising of breast milk substitutes for under-24 month infants is strictly prohibited in Vietnam

Specifically, according to Clause 1 Article 6 of Decree No. 100/2014/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government: “To strictly prohibit the advertising of breast milk substitutes for under-24 month infants; complementary foods for under-6 month infants; feeding bottles and teats in any forms; the use of fetus or infant images in advertisements for milk for pregnant women.”

Besides, the advertising of complementary foods for under-24 month infants must satisfy the following requirements:

- The first part of the advertisement must have the phrase “Breast milk is the best food for health and all-sided growth of infants”;

- Advertising contents must clearly state “This product is a complementary food and may be used as a supplement to breast milk for infants over 6 months”; and comply with Articles 4 and 5 of this Decree and the laws on advertising and food safety.

In which:

- Nutritious complementary foods (below referred to as complementary foods) means ready-made semi-solid or solid foods containing 4 groups of ingredients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats and vitamins and minerals for additional use together with breast milk or breast milk substitutes for under-24 month infants.

- Breast milk substitutes for under-24 month infants include:

+ Liquid or powdered infant formulas made from milk of cows or other animals and containing appropriate ingredients which may be used to substitute breast milk for under-12 month infants;

+ Liquid or powdered follow-up formulas made from milk of cows or other animals and containing appropriate ingredients or animal- or plant- derived ingredients which may be used for infants aged 6-24 months during the complementary feeding period;

+ Other liquid or powdered follow-up formulas made from milk of cows or other animals and containing appropriate ingredients or animal- or plant- derived ingredients which are presented or introduced as suitable to under-24 month infants but are not included in complementary foods in the nutritional structure for infants aged over 6 months.

View details at Decree No. 100/2014/NĐ-CP of Vietnam’s Government, effective from March 01, 2015.

Le Hai

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