BSNA notes the report published by WHO Europe Region on 15 July 2019. BSNA members are committed to making nutritious products and marketing them in a responsible way, in line with the aims and principles of the WHO code as set out in UK law.
Press release: BSNA responds to Public Health England’s Report on foods and drinks aimed at infants and young children: evidence and opportunities for action June 2019
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The first ever World Food Safety Day (WFSD) will be celebrated on 7 June 2019 to draw attention and inspire action to help prevent, detect and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development. (UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Health Organisation 2019).
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BSNA members recognise that current NHS start4life weaning recommendations are that weaning or complementing feeding should start ‘around’ 6 months, alongside breast milk or infant formula, and once an infant is displaying the signs of developmental readiness.
BSNA members are disappointed that Channel 4 televised a very misleading episode of Dispatches on 18 March 2019, with many inaccuracies and assertions likely to unduly concern parents who, whether due to medical need or personal choice, feed their children infant formula.
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Despite having the tools to prevent disease-related malnutrition, the UK is facing an increase in cases.
On 22 February 2019, the new European Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/128 on Foods for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) will come into force. This regulation updates, but largely retains, the existing rules for FSMPs, including the definitions of the category and the nutritional composition. However, it updates specific requirements for FSMPs, including labelling and formulation.The deadline for compliance is 22 February 2019 for all FSMPs for use in patients from one years old, with the rules for FSMPs developed for infants applying from February 2020.
On 28 January 2019, The Sun and The Daily Mail reported: ‘Starved to death - Three patients a day die from malnutrition, thirst or choking on hospital wards’.
The infant formula manufacturer members of BSNA are committed to responsible interaction with healthcare professionals (HCPs) as part of their support for the aims and principles of the WHO Code.
​NHS England has published guidance for Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) on the prescribing of gluten-free foods in primary care in England. This follows the Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) consultation outcome, to continue to allow access to gluten-free foods on prescription in England but to restrict items to gluten-free bread products and mixes only.
An amendment to the Prescribing Regulations came into force on the 4 December 2018 and from this date only gluten-free bread products and mixes will be available on prescription in England. All other gluten free foods will no longer be prescribed and will be blacklisted within the amended Regulation.
​Breastfeeding is the best way to feed a baby and is important for both mother and baby’s health and wellbeing. Where a mother chooses not to or is unable to breastfeed BSNA’s members provide a range of formula milks available to meet the nutritional requirements of babies.