By Akani Nkuna
Global health authorities are raising concerns over the growing influence of deceptive marketing practices by infant formula companies in South Africa.
The World Health Organisation and Unicef have jointly cautioned parents about advertising that undermines breastfeeding by promoting formula as a superior choice.
They emphasise that such tactics violate international guidelines and may negatively impact child health and nutrition, particularly in vulnerable communities.
“False, incomplete, misleading health and nutrition claims by formula companies should stop now. The WHO calls on formula milk companies to stop presenting incomplete scientific evidence and inferring unsupported health outcomes,” said WHO’s country representative in South Africa, Shenaaz El-Halabi.
They have unveiled a new manifesto titled “Babies Before Bottom Lines”, aimed at alerting South African parents to the dangers of misleading and unethical baby formula marketing.
Released online, the document exposes what the agencies describe as “predatory and widespread” industry tactics. The campaign
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