The idealization of infant formula: a longitudinal analysis of labels in Uruguay

LACTANCIA MATERNA

POLITICA ALIMENTARIA

SUSTITUTOS DE LA LECHE HUMANA

ETIQUETADO

ALIMENTACIÓN ARTIFICIAL

BIBLIOGRAFIA NACIONAL QUIMICA

2023

Background: Labels are a key element of the marketing strategies of infant formula companies, and often include text or images that idealize their use, undermining efforts to promote breastfeeding. Research Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of marketing cues that idealize infant formula on labels of products commercialized in Uruguay and to assess changes after a periodic monitoring of compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes (IC). Method: This study is a descriptive, observational, and longitudinal assessment of the information included on infant formula labels. The first data collection was in 2019, as part of a periodic assessment to monitor the marketing of human-milk substitutes. In 2021, the same products were purchased to evaluate changes in their labels. Thirty-eight products were identified in 2019, of which 33 were still available in 2021. All information available on the labels was analyzed through content analysis. Results: Most products included at least one textual or visual marketing cue idealizing infant formula in both 2019 (n=30, 91%) and 2021 (n=29, 88%). This represents a violation of both the IC and national regulations. References to nutritional composition were the most frequent marketing cue, followed by references to child growth and development. No relevant changes were observed after the periodic assessment conducted by the Uruguayan government. Conclusions: Monitoring compliance with the IC per se cannot be expected to trigger changes in the marketing strategies of infant formula companies. More explicit regulations and strong enforcement mechanisms are needed to end the inappropriate marketing practices on infant formula labels.

Journal of Human Lactation, v.39, n°3, 2023. -- pp. 519-528

2023

Información sobre Derechos de Autor

(Por favor lea este aviso antes de abrir los documentos u objetos)

La legislación uruguaya protege el derecho de autor sobre toda creación literaria, científica o artística, tanto en lo que tiene que ver con sus derechos morales, como en lo referente a los derechos patrimoniales con sujeción a lo establecido por el derecho común y las siguientes leyes (LEY 9.739 DE 17 DE DICIEMBRE DE 1937 SOBRE PROPIEDAD LITERARIA Y ARTISTICA CON LAS MODIFICACIONES INTRODUCIDAS POR LA LEY DE DERECHO DE AUTOR Y DERECHOS CONEXOS No. 17.616 DE 10 DE ENERO DE 2003, LEY 17.805 DE 26 DE AGOSTO DE 2004, LEY 18.046 DE 24 DE OCTUBRE DE 2006 LEY 18.046 DE 24 DE OCTUBRE DE 2006)

ADVERTENCIA - La consulta de este documento queda condicionada a la aceptación de las siguientes condiciones de uso: Este documento es únicamente para usos privados enmarcados en actividades de investigación y docencia. No se autoriza su reproducción con fines de lucro. Esta reserva de derechos afecta tanto los datos del documento como a sus contenidos. En la utilización o cita de partes debe indicarse el nombre de la persona autora.

PDF

10 p.

Inglés

Artículo

10.1177/08903344231172478

PDF