NAFDAC Launches Multi-Sectoral Committees to Enforce Breast Milk Substitute Regulations Across Nigeria
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has taken a significant step in promoting and safeguarding infant and maternal health in Nigeria by inaugurating Breast Milk Substitute (BMS) State Multi-Sectoral Technical Committees across 32 states.
This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to implement the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and aims to protect breastfeeding practices by regulating the marketing of formula substitutes.
In a statement released on Sunday by NAFDAC’s Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, the agency emphasized its commitment to strengthening compliance with both the International Code and national regulations on BMS. This move is part of a larger, national strategy aimed at improving infant and young child nutrition practices, which play a crucial role in reducing infant mortality rates and supporting healthy development.
Breastfeeding is widely recognized as a cornerstone of public health, providing infants with essential nutrients, immune protection, and a foundation for healthy growth. The Director General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, underscored this importance during the virtual inauguration of the committees.
According to Adeyeye, “Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in improving the health and well-being of children and mothers. It supports cognitive and psychosocial development, protects against infectious diseases, and helps prevent non-communicable diseases.”
Highlighting the dynamic nature of breast milk, she explained, “Breast milk is a living, adaptive system that provides species-specific immune protection. It contains hormones and bioactives that no formula can replicate.”
Professor Adeyeye also pointed out that breastfeeding confers several health benefits for mothers, including reduced risks of breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic conditions. These health advantages for both mother and child are foundational to NAFDAC’s mission to promote and protect breastfeeding as an optimal practice across Nigeria.
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To achieve these objectives, the newly established BMS State Multi-Sectoral Technical Committees will play a pivotal role. The committees are tasked with overseeing compliance in their respective states, working to ensure that all marketing practices around BMS align with both international standards and Nigeria’s national regulations.
The formation of these committees is a critical milestone in the journey toward sustainable and enhanced breastfeeding support, a priority that is foundational for healthier futures for Nigerian families.
Speaking on the importance of these new committees, Professor Adeyeye urged members to “lead efforts in their states to ensure full compliance with BMS regulations.” These efforts are designed to protect mothers from misleading marketing practices that often downplay the value of breastfeeding in favor of substitutes, ultimately supporting mothers in making informed choices about their child’s nutrition.
This inaugural event gathered over 300 participants who joined virtually, representing a coalition of stakeholders deeply invested in infant health and nutrition. Attendees included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, UNICEF Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) Nigeria Office, FHI360’s Alive and Thrive, and Save the Children, among others.
Mrs. Eva Edwards, Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition at NAFDAC, spoke on behalf of the agency, explaining that while in-person committee inaugurations had already been held in Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory, this virtual inauguration for 32 additional states signifies NAFDAC’s firm resolve to implement breastfeeding-friendly policies nationwide.
“The virtual inauguration session for 32 BMS State Multi-Sectoral Technical Committees is a testament to our joint commitment and resilience in improving our national nutrition situation for infants and young children,” Edwards stated. “Overcoming funding and logistic challenges to reach every state demonstrates our shared mission to protect and promote optimal breastfeeding practices.”
Mrs. Ladidi Bako-Aiyegbusi, Director of Nutrition at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, echoed Edwards’ sentiments, adding that these collaborations are vital to achieving sustainable improvements in national nutrition standards.
The inauguration follows recent calls from advocacy groups, such as the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria and FHI360 Alive & Thrive, for the government to fully implement the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition and to reinforce the BMS marketing code.
This code serves as a regulatory framework to prevent unethical marketing practices by breast milk substitute companies, which often mislead mothers into believing formula is as beneficial as breast milk. By enforcing the code, NAFDAC seeks to protect breastfeeding from aggressive marketing tactics that undermine its value, ultimately contributing to improved infant and child health outcomes.
The BMS marketing code is particularly significant in countries like Nigeria, where breastfeeding plays a critical role in reducing malnutrition and childhood mortality. By supporting the code, NAFDAC and its partners are working to ensure that mothers have the necessary support and information to choose breastfeeding as the primary option for infant feeding, free from the influence of commercial interests.
The establishment of these multi-sectoral technical committees across the nation is a testament to NAFDAC’s renewed dedication to fostering an environment that prioritizes infant health.
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By collaborating with a broad range of stakeholders, NAFDAC is working to build a future in which breastfeeding is fully supported as a public health priority and mothers are protected from undue pressures to use substitutes. The agency’s commitment to enforcing these regulations underscores the broader national aim of improving nutrition and health outcomes for Nigeria’s youngest citizens.
In Nigeria, where breastfeeding is not just a tradition but a life-saving practice, the support provided through initiatives like the BMS State Multi-Sectoral Committees promises to make a tangible difference.
As NAFDAC, with the support of international and local partners, moves forward in implementing these safeguards, the agency reiterates its pledge to put mothers and infants first, ensuring a healthier start for future generations.