The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has just inaugurated the Breast Milk Substitutes (BMS) State Multi-Sectoral Technical Committees across 32 States.
According to a statement released by NAFDAC's Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola on Sunday, the inauguration of these committees demonstrates the agency's renewed commitment to enforcing regulations on breast milk substitutes.
According to them, the move, this move is aimed at protecting and promoting breastfeeding practices in Nigeria.
Furthermore, the agency noted that the inauguration of the BMS State teams is also a reflection of the agency’s renewed efforts to implement and enforce the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk substitutes and the National BMS regulations in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, in September, the Civil Society Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, and the FHI 360 Alive & Thrive demanded the implementation of the National Multi-Sectoral Plan of Action for Food and Nutrition, and the reinforcement of the Breast Milk Substitute marketing code in the country.
According to them, the BMS marketing code solely to help protect breastfeeding by regulating the marketing of breast milk substitutes, which is vital to improving infant and young child feeding practices.
Speaking at the virtual inauguration of the committees, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director General of NAFDAC, urged the teams to lead the effort in their respective states to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the international Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and the national BMS regulations.
Prof Adeyeye further emphasized the significance of breastfeeding in public health, citing its benefits for infant and young child health, cognitive development, and protection against infectious diseases. She reiterated that breastfeeding is foundational to infant and young child health and development.
“Mothers also experience health benefits from breastfeeding which include protection against breast cancers, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and weight regulation,” she said, adding that breastfeeding is a dynamic living system, it is species specific, evolutionary, and adaptive.
“Breastmilk is a tailor-made immune protection, contains hormones and other bioactives that cannot be replicated in any substitute product.”
Furthermore, the DG stated that the benefits of breastfeeding necessitate the need to promote and support its optimum practice.
However, she also explained that the establishment of the BMS State Multi-Sectoral Teams is a key milestone to achieving shared objectives.
The Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs Eva Edwards, stated: “We have physically inaugurated State BMS teams in Kaduna, Yobe, Borno, Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory.
“The virtual inauguration session for 32 BMS State Multi-sectoral Technical Committees is a testament to our joint commitment, resolve, and resilience to the cause of improving our national nutrition situation for infants and young children, overcoming funding and logistic challenges, and ensuring that we reach every state, regardless.”
