INDIA

PROTECTS

BREASTFEEDING
Raising the bar : India sets even higher standard for breastfeeding protection

B reastfeeding provides the best possible start to life, a foundation for fulfilling the rights of the child. It
provides ideal nutrition to the babies, protects them against infections, allergies and asthma. Exclusive
breastfeeding during first six months and continued breastfeeding for two years
or beyond along with adequate and appropiate complementary feeding promotes
physical, psychological, motor, mental and psychosocial growth and development.
Breastfeeding contributes to enchancement of cognitive development and better
visual acuity. It gives a head start and prepares babies for better learning.

If infant feeding practices are sub-optimal, it increases the chances of

diseases and dealth. WHO estimate that 1.5 million infant lives could be
saved each year through increased breastfeeding.

It is essential to protect and promote breastfeeding and protect pregnant women and nursing mothers from
any influence that could undermine the practice of exclusive breastfeeding. Inappropriate practices of
companies undermine breastfeeding leading to increased infant morbidity, mortality and malnutrition.
Recognizing this to be a major public health problem, the Government of India enacted the Law in 1992
known as the Infant Milk Substitues, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods ( Regulation of Production, Supply and
Distribution) Act, 1992. This was further strengthened in June 2003. This is known as the Infant Milk Substitues,
Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods ( Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Amendment Act, 2003.
It will be notified and effective very shortly.

Products under the scope of the Act

1. Infant Milk Substitutes which
means any food for consumption of
children up to the age of six months
which totally or partially replaces
mother’s milk such as Lactogen-1,
Lactogen-2, Nestogen-1, Nestogen- 2,
Lactodex- 1, Lactodex - 2, Amul Spray,
Zerolac, Dexolac, ProSoyal , Simyl-
MCT, Similac Neosure or any other
such infant formula.
2. Feeding Bottles of any 3. Infant Foods which means
brand like Bonny Baby, Hello Baby, any food for consumption of children
Wipro or any other brand. after the age of six months and up to
the age of two years such as Nestum,
Cerelac, Farex, Weano, Veelac,
Infacare, First Food, Dexrice, Easum,
Junior Horlicks, Growing up milk,
health drinks any and other food
products promoted for consumption
of babies under the age two.
by
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aby

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Wipro
Bon

Dexric
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Nestogen-1

Lactogen-1
What is Prohibited
A view of how the Act prohibits manufacturers of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottle and
infant foods from undermining breastfeeding

er
Ad m oth ls
ver of be
tisi
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ba
or
Gifts & free Sponsorsh
samples ip,
gifts to hea
lth care
workers or
their
f association
tion o s s
Promofor babie
cts rs
produer two yea or Do
u n d e
of ag n
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uc ma ti
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Use syste al al
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Advertising

PROHIBITED

• By Print Media
• By Electronic Media

PROHIBITED

Gifts & free

samples
Sale

• Supply & distribution of samples

r
ot fo
ple N

& gifts to any one

• Contacting pregnant women or
Sam

mother of an infant
Free
 The Act bans all forms of
promotion of products under the
scope of the Act for babies
under 2 years of age
• The Act defines Infant milk substitutes as any food, which
replaces mother’s milk up to two years of age. Therefore
this tends to promote continued breastfeeding for two
years or beyond.
• The Act defines infant foods more clearly, as for u s e
after the age of 6 months as a compliment to mothers
milk. This intends to promote exclusive breastfeeding for PROHIBITED
first 6 months and continued breastfeeding for two years
or beyond.

Picture of mother
or baby on labels

• Having pictures of an infant or a woman or

both or a graphic on the label of the infant milk
substitutes, feeding bottles or infant foods

PROHIBITED

Use of health
care system

• For display and distribution of materials related to

infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles and infant food. PROHIBITED
• For making payment for promoting the use of product.
• For demonstrating method of feeding of the product
to a mother of an infant or any member of her family.
 Sponsering gifts to
health care system

• Offering gifts to a health worker or to any member

of his/her family.
PROHIBITED
• Giving benefits like funding seminar, meeting,
conferences, educational course, contest
fellowship,research work or sponsorship

Donation & distribution of

educational and informational
material

PROHIBITED
• Promoting use of infant milk substitutes, feeding
bottles or infant foods on the pretext of distribution
of educational or informational material

Resourcces
The Law to protect and promote breastfeeding-The book provides very simply the details of the IMS Act,
1992 and Amendment Act 2003. Rs. 60.00 (Updated Edition 2003).
Edited by Dr. Arun Gupta, Dr. Tarsem Jindal & Dr. J P Dadhich.

Analysis of the IMS Act, after amendment in 2003- Electronic copy available on request.

If you notice any violation report to us with proof.

Compiled and Edited by: The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) is a
Dr. Arun Gupta & Vandana Sabharwal registered, independent, non-profit, national organization
that works towards protecting, promoting and supporting
Designed by: breastfeeding and appropriate complementary feeding of
Process & spot infants & young children. BPNI believes that breastfeeding is
the right of all mothers and children. BPNI works through
advocacy, social mobilization, information sharing,
education, research, training and monitoring the company
Breastfeeding Promotion compliance with the IMS Act.
Network of India (BPNI)
BP-33, Pitampura, Delhi 110 088 (INDIA) BPNI does not accept funds or sponsorship of any
Tel: +91-11-27312445 kind from the companies producing infant milk
substitutes, feeding bottles, related equipments, or
Tel/Fax: +91-11-27315606
Email: bpni@bpni.org ; Webiste: www.bpni.org
infant foods (cereal foods).