COVID-19: NAFDAC issues guidelines for distribution of breastmilk substitute

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued fresh guidelines for companies producing and marketing breastmilk substitutes.

The agency has warned that such companies should not take advantage of the lockdown to promote their products.

in a statement signed by the Director-General of NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, the agency asked companies and individuals who may want to make donations of palliatives at these critical times to desist from including breastmilk substitutes in their packages.

Citing relevant codes of the World Health Organisation on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes, the NAFDAC DG insisted that the new directives are to ensure that the health of infants is not compromised at this time.

The agency also encouraged nursing mothers to continue with exclusive breastfeeding especially now, to build a strong immune system in their babies.