National code of marketing of formula milks is not properly enforced in Sri Lanka

EDITOR—Gunasekera and Gunasekera, in their letter, state that advertising and promoting the use of formula milk as a substitute for breast feeding are prohibited in Sri Lanka.1 This may lead us to believe that the enforcement of the national code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes is being properly carried out in Sri Lanka. I am afraid that this is not the case. Advertisements for formula milk not in keeping with the spirit and principles of the code continue to appear—even in some of the medical journals in Sri Lanka.

As one of the respondents to the national questionnaire survey on breast feeding referred to in the letter, I made the point then (in 1996), and I make it now, that the national surveillance and monitoring mechanism to ensure compliance with the national code is ineffective. Without an effective mechanism for monitoring and proper implementation of the code, the power of advertising of breastmilk substitutes, rather than scientific knowledge about breast feeding, will influence healthcare professionals' attitudes to the promotion and protection of breast feeding.