Did you know? : The use of condensed milk for infant feeding proscribed by the law

A label on a container of condensed milk shall have a clear and conspicuous warning that it shall not be used for infant feeding failing which one commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five million cedis or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.

This is according to the BREASTFEEDING PROMOTION REGULATIONS, 2000(L.I. 1667).

Did you know about this? And how many manufacturers and distributors in Ghana are complying with the requirement?

Furthermore, feeding bottle packages or containers are supposed to have certain labels that include;

(a) a statement on the superiority of breast-milk for feeding infants;

(b) a statement that feeding with a cup is safer than bottle feeding;

 (c) instructions for proper cleaning and sterilization of feeding bottles and teats;

(d) a warning on the potential health hazards of using a feeding bottle especially if it is not properly sterilized;

(e) a warning on the negative impact of bottle feeding and the need to follow preparation instructions carefully to ensure that an infant does not fall ill; and

(f) the name and address of the manufacturer or distributor of the product or the local agent.

Have you ever taken pains to check the label of your childhood feeding bottle or probably those of your children to verify the inscriptions?

Additionally, no manufacturer or distributor of products for infants shall offer their products for sale if their labels do not

(a) have a clear, conspicuous and easily readable message that breastmilk is the best food for infants and prevents diarrhoea and other illnesses;

(b) provide instructions for the proper preparations and use of the designated product;

(c) include a warning preceded by the words “Important notice” against the health hazards of improper preparation and use of the designated product; and

 (d) indicate the health hazards of introducing the product before the recommended age.

Moreover, labels of such products shall also not show any photograph, drawing or other graphic representation other than for illustrating the method for preparation of the designated product. They should  be written in English and contain

• the name and address of the manufacturer and where applicable the distributor;
• (ii) the dates of manufacture and expiry;
• (iii) the composition and contents of the product;
• (iv) the batch number;
• (v) the required storage conditions for the product; and
• (d) indicate the quantity of the food in the containers necessary to feed an infant during the first six months of its life.

Offences and Penalties

Persons who fail to comply with the above requirements and more when dealing with infant products commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five million cedis or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both.