Ultra-Processed Food for Infants and Toddlers; Dynamics of Supply and Demand

Citation

Dunford, Elizabeth K. & Popkin, Barry M. (2023). Ultra-Processed Food for Infants and Toddlers; Dynamics of Supply and Demand. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 101(5), 358-360. PMCID: PMC10140693

Abstract

Historically, much of the discussion surrounding infant feeding focused on promoting breastfeeding the first six months (at least) of an infant’s life, and avoiding breastmilk substitutes. In 1981, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes to restrict the marketing of breastmilk substitutes. However, other beverages and toddler foods do not have the same marketing restrictions under the code, and therefore formula companies have broadened into other sections of infant and toddler feeding such as ultra-processed baby foods. The definition of infant formula is milk formula directed at children aged 0–12 months; it excludes growing-up formula as milk formula directed at children aged 12–36 months, and baby food as all packaged foods and/or beverages marketed to infants and toddlers aged 6–36 months.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/blt.22.289448

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2023

Journal Title

Bulletin of the World Health Organization

Author(s)

Dunford, Elizabeth K.
Popkin, Barry M.

Article Type

Perspective

PMCID

PMC10140693

ORCiD

Dunford - 0000-0003-4505-3256
Popkin - 0000-0001-9495-9324