EXECUTIVEORDERNO.

51October20,1986 ADOPTINGANATIONALCODEOFMARKETINGOFBREASTMILKSUBSTITUTES, BREASTMILKSUPPLEMENTSANDRELATEDPRODUCTS,PENALIZINGVIOLATIONS THEREOF,ANDFOROTHERPURPOSES WHEREAS,inordertoensurethatsafeandadequatenutritionforinfantsisprovided,thereisaneedto protect and promote breastfeeding and to inform the public about the proper use of breastmilk substitutes and supplements and related products through adequate, consistent and objective information and appropriate regulation of the marketing and distribution of the said substitutes, supplementsandrelatedproducts; WHEREAS, consistent with Article 11 of the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes,thepresentgovernmentshouldadoptappropriatelegislationtogiveeffecttotheprinciples andaimoftheaforesaidInternationalCode; NOW,THEREFORE,I,CORAZONC.AQUINO,PresidentofthePhilippines,doherebyorder: Sec.1.Title.ThisCodeshallbeknownandcitedasthe"NationalCodeofMarketingofBreastmilk Substitutes,BreastmilkSupplementsandOtherRelatedProducts". Sec.2.AimoftheCodeTheaimoftheCodeistocontributetotheprovisionofsafeandadequate nutritionforinfantsbytheprotectionandpromotionofbreastfeedingandbyensuringtheproperuseof breastmilksubstitutesandbreastmilksupplementswhenthesearenecessary,onthebasisofadequate informationandthroughappropriatemarketinganddistribution. Sec.3.ScopeoftheCodeTheCodeappliestothemarketing,andpracticesrelatedthereto,ofthe followingproducts:breastmilksubstitutes,includinginfantformula;othermilkproducts,foodsand beverages,includingbottlefedcomplementaryfoods,whenmarketedorotherwiserepresentedtobe suitable,withorwithoutmodification,foruseasapartialortotalreplacementofbreastmilk;feeding bottlesandteats.Italsoappliestotheirqualityandavailability,andtoinformationconcerningtheiruse. Sec.4.DefinitionofTerms.ForthepurposesofthisCode,thefollowingdefinitionoftermsshall govern: (a)"BreastmilkSubstitute"meansanyfoodbeingmarketedorotherwiserepresentedasapartialortotal replacementforbreastmilk,whetherornotsuitableforthatpurpose. (b)"ComplementaryFood"meansanyfood,whethermanufacturedorlocallyprepared,suitableasa complement to breastmilk or to infant formula, when either becomes insufficient to satisfy the nutritional requirements of the infant. Such food is also commonly called "weaning food" or "breastmilksupplement." (c)"Container"meansanyformofpackagingofproductsforsaleasanormalretailunit,including wrappers. (d)"Distributor"meansaperson,corporationoranyotherentityinthepublicorprivatesectorengaged

inthebusiness(whetherdirectlyorindirectly)ofmarketingatthewholesaleorretaillevelaproduct withinthescopeofthisCode.A"primarydistributor"isamanufacturer'ssalesagent,representative, nationaldistributororbroker. (e)"Infant"meansapersonfallingwithintheagebracketof012months. (f)"Healthcaresystem"meansgovernmental,nongovernmentalorprivateinstitutionsororganizations engaged,directlyorindirectly,inhealthcareformothers,infantsandpregnantwomen;andnurseriesor childcareinstitutions.Italsoincludeshealthworkersinprivatepractice.ForthepurposeofthisCode, thehealthcaresystemdoesnotincludepharmaciesorotherestablishedsalesoutlets. (g)"HealthWorker"meansapersonworkinginacomponentofsuchhealthcaresystem,whether professionalornonprofessional,includingvolunteerworkers. (h) "Infant Formula" means a breastmilk substitute formulated industrially in accordance with applicableCodexAlimentariusstandardstosatisfythenormalnutritionalrequirementsofinfantsupto betweenfourtosixmonthsofage,andadaptedtotheirphysiologicalcharacteristics.Infantformula mayalsobepreparedathomeinwhichcaseitisdescribedas"homeprepared". (i)"Label"meansanytag,brand,mark,pictorialorotherdescriptivematter,written,printed,stencilled, marked,embossedorimpressedon,orattachedto,acontainerofanyproductwithinthescopeofthis Code. (j)"Manufacturer"meansacorporationorotherentityinthepublicorprivatesectorengagedinthe businessorfunction(whetherdirectlyorthroughanagentoranentitycontrolledbyorundercontract withit)ofmanufacturingaproductwithinthescopeofthisCode. (k)"Marketing"meansproductpromotion,distribution,selling,advertising,productpublicrelations, andinformationservices. (l)"Marketingpersonnel"meansanypersonwhosefunctionsinvolvethemarketingofaproductor productscomingwithinthescopeofthisCode. (m)"Sample"meanssingleorsmallquantitiesofaproductprovidedwithoutcosts. (n)"Supplies"meansquantitiesofaproductprovidedforuseoveranextendedperiod,freeoratalow price,forsocialpurposes,includingthoseprovidedtofamiliesinneed. Sec.5.InformationandEducation (a)Thegovernmentshallensurethatobjectiveandconsistentinformationisprovidedoninfantfeeding, forusebyfamiliesandthoseinvolvedinthefieldofinfantnutrition.Thisresponsibilityshallcoverthe planning, provision, design and dissemination of information, and the control thereof, on infant nutrition. (b)Informationandeducationalmaterials,whetherwritten,audio,orvisual,dealingwiththefeedingof infantsandintendedtoteachpregnantwomenandmothersofinfants,shallincludeclearinformationon

allthefollowingpoints:(1)thebenefitsandsuperiorityofbreastfeeding;(2)maternalnutrition,andthe preparation for and maintenance of breastfeeding; (3) the negative effect on breastfeeding of introducingpartialbottlefeeding;(4)thedifficultyofreversingthedecisionnottobreastfeed;and(5) whereneeded,theproperuseofinfantformula,whethermanufacturedindustriallyorhomeprepared. Whensuchmaterialscontaininformationabouttheuseofinfantformula,theyshallincludethesocial andfinancialimplicationsofitsuse;thehealthhazardsofinappropriatefoodsorfeedingmethods;and, inparticular,thehealthhazardsofunnecessaryorimproperuseofinfantformulaandotherbreastmilk substitutes.Suchmaterialsshallnotuseanypictureortextwhichmayidealizetheuseofbreastmilk substitutes. Sec.6.TheGeneralPublicandMothers (a) No advertising, promotion or other marketing materials, whether written, audio or visual, for products,withinthescopeofthisCodeshallbeprinted,published,distributed,exhibitedandbroadcast unlesssuchmaterialsaredulyauthorizedandapprovedbyaninteragencycommitteecreatedherein pursuanttotheapplicablestandardsprovidedforinthisCode. (b)Manufacturersanddistributorsshallnotbepermittedtogive,directly,orindirectly,samplesand suppliesofproductswithinthescopeofthisCodeorgiftsofanysorttoanymemberofthegeneral public,includingmembersoftheirfamilies,tohospitalsandotherhealthinstitutions,aswellasto personnelwithinthehealthcaresystem,saveasotherwiseprovidedinthisCode. (c)Thereshallbenopointofsaleadvertising,givingofsamplesoranyotherpromotiondevicesto inducesalesdirectlytotheconsumersattheretaillevel,suchasspecialdisplays,discountcoupons, premiums,specialsales,bonusandtieinsalesfortheproductswithinthescopeofthisCode.This provision shall not restrict the establishment of pricing policies and practices intended to provide productsatlowerpricesonalongtermbasis. (d)Manufacturersanddistributorsshallnotdistributetopregnantwomenormothersofinfantsany giftsorarticlesorutensilswhichmaypromotetheuseofbreastmilksubstitutesorbottlefeeding,nor shallanyothergroups,institutionsorindividualsdistributesuchgifts,utensilsorproductsprovidedby thisCode. (e)Marketingpersonnelshallbeprohibitedfromadvertisingorpromotinginanyothermannerthe products coveredbythisCode,eitherdirectlyor indirectly,topregnantwomenorwithmother of infants,exceptasotherwiseprovidedbythisCode. (f)Nothinghereincontainedshallpreventdonationsfrommanufacturersanddistributorsofproducts withinthescopeofthisCodeuponrequestbyorwiththeapprovaloftheMinistryofHealth. Sec.7.HealthCareSystem (a)TheMinistryofHealthshalltakeappropriatemeasurestoencourageandpromotebreastfeeding.It shall provideobjectiveandconsistentinformation,trainingandadvicetohealthworkerson infant nutrition,andontheirobligationsunderthisCode. (b)Nofacilityofthehealthcaresystemshallbeusedforthepurposeofpromotinginfantformulaor

otherproductswithinthescopeofthisCode.ThisCodedoesnot,however,precludethedissemination ofinformationtohealthprofessionalsasprovidedinSection8(b). (c)Facilitiesofthehealthcaresystemshallnotbeusedforthedisplayofproductswithinthescopeof thisCode,orforplacardsorpostersconcerningsuchproducts. (d)Theusebythehealthcaresystemof"professionalservice"representatives,"mothercraftnurses"or similarpersonnel,providedorpaidforbymanufacturersordistributors,shallnotbepermitted. (e) In health educationclassesformothersandthegeneralpublic,healthworkersandcommunity workersshallemphasizethehazardsandrisksoftheimproperuseofbreastmilksubstitutesparticularly infantformula.Feedingwithinfantformulashallbedemonstratedonlytomotherswhomaynotbeable tobreastfeedformedicalorotherlegitimatereasons. Sec.8.HealthWorkers (a)Healthworkersshallencourageandpromotebreastfeedingandshallmakethemselvesfamiliarwith objectivesandconsistentinformationonmaternalandinfantnutrition,andwiththeirresponsibilities underthisCode. (b)Informationprovidedbymanufacturersanddistributorstohealthprofessionalsregardingproducts withinthescopeofthisCodeshallberestrictedtoscientificandfactualmattersandsuchinformation shallnotimplyorcreateabeliefthatbottlefeedingisequivalentorsuperiortobreastfeeding.Itshall alsoincludetheinformationspecifiedinSection5(b). (c)NofinancialormaterialinducementstopromoteproductswithinthescopeofthisCodeshallbe offeredbymanufacturersordistributorstohealthworkersormembersoftheirfamilies,norshallthese beacceptedbythehealthworkersormembersoftheirfamilies,exceptasotherwiseprovidedinSection 8(e). (d)SamplesofinfantformulasorotherproductswithinthescopeofthisCode,orofequipmentor utensilsfortheirpreparationoruse,shallnotbeprovidedtohealthworkersexceptwhennecessaryfor the purpose of professional evaluation or research in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgatedbytheMinistryofHealth.Nohealthworkersshallgivesamplesofinfantformulato pregnantwomenandmothersofinfantsormembersoftheirfamilies. (e)ManufacturersanddistributorsofproductswithinthescopeofthisCodemayassistintheresearch, scholarships and continuing education, of health professionals, in accordance with the rules and regulationspromulgatedbytheMinistryofHealth. Sec. 9. Persons Employed by Manufacturers and Distributors Personnel employed in marketing products within the scope of this Code shall not, as part of their job responsibilities, perform educationalfunctionsinrelationtopregnantwomenormothersofinfants. Sec.10.Containers/Label (a) Containers and/or labels shall be designed to provide the necessary information about the

appropriateuseoftheproducts,andinsuchawayasnottodiscouragebreastfeeding. (b)Eachcontainershallhaveaclear,conspicuousandeasilyreadableandunderstandablemessagein PilipinoorEnglishprintedonit,oronalabel,whichmessagecannotreadilybecomeseparatedfromit, andwhichshallincludethefollowingpoints: (i)thewords"ImportantNotice"ortheirequivalent; (ii)astatementofthesuperiorityofbreastfeeding; (iii)astatementthattheproductshallbeusedonlyontheadviceofahealthworkerastotheneedfor itsuseandthepropermethodsofuse;and (iv)instructionsforappropriatepreparation,andawarningagainstthehealthhazardsofinappropriate preparation. (c)Neitherthecontainernorthelabelshallhavepicturesortextswhichmayidealizetheuseofinfant formula.Theymay,however,havegraphicsforeasyidentificationoftheproductandforillustrating methodsofpreparation. (d)Theterm"humanized",maternalized"orsimilartermsshallnotbeused. (e)FoodproductswithinthescopeofthisCodemarketedforinfantfeeding,whichdonotmeetallthe requirements ofaninfantformulabutwhichcanbemodifiedtodoso,shallcarryonthe label a warningthattheunmodifiedproductshouldnotbethesolesourceofnourishmentofaninfant. (f)ThelabelsoffoodproductswithinthescopeofthisCodeshall,inadditiontotherequirementsin theprecedingparagraphs,conformwiththerulesandregulationsoftheBureauofFoodandDrugs. Sec.11.Quality (a)Thequalityofproductsisanessentialelementfortheprotectionofthehealthofinfants, and thereforeshallbeofhighrecognizedstandard. (b) Food products within the scope of this Code shall, when sold or otherwise distributed, meet applicablestandardsrecommendedbytheCodexAlimentariusCommissionandalsotheCodexCode ofHygienicPracticeforFoodsforInfantsandChildren. (c)Topreventqualitydeterioration,adulterationorcontaminationoffoodproductswithinthescopeof thisCode,distributionoutlets,includingthesmallestsarisaristore,shallnotbeallowedtoopencans andboxesforthepurposeofretailingthembythecup,bagorinanyotherform. Sec.12.ImplementationandMonitoring (a)ForpurposesofSection6(a)ofthisCode,aninteragencycommitteecomposedofthefollowing membersisherebycreated:

MinisterofHealth...........................................Chairman MinisterofTradeandIndustry..........................Member MinisterofJustice..........................................Member MinisterofSocialServiceslandDevelopment...Member ThemembersmaydesignatetheirdulyauthorizedrepresentativetoeverymeetingoftheCommittee. TheCommitteeshallhavethefollowingpowersandfunctions: (1)Toreviewandexaminealladvertising,promotionorothermarketingmaterials,whetherwritten, audioorvisual,onproductswithinthescopeofthisCode; (2)Toapproveordisapprove,deleteobjectionableportionsfromandprohibittheprinting,publication, distribution, exhibition and broadcast of, all advertising promotion or other marketing materials, whetherwritten,audioorvisual,onproductswithinthescopeofthisCode; (3)Toprescribetheinternalandoperationalprocedurefortheexerciseofitspowersandfunctionsas wellastheperformanceofitsdutiesandresponsibilities;and (4)Topromulgatesuchrulesandregulationsasarenecessaryorproperfortheimplementationof Section6(a)ofthisCode. (b)TheMinistryofHealthshallbeprincipallyresponsiblefortheimplementationandenforcementof theprovisionsofthisCode.Forthispurpose,theMinistryofHealthshallhavethefollowingpowers andfunctions: (1)Topromulgatesuchrulesandregulationsasarenecessaryorproperfortheimplementationofthis Codeandtheaccomplishmentofitspurposesandobjectives. (2)Tocalltheassistanceofgovernmentagenciesandtheprivatesectortoensuretheimplementation and enforcement of, and strict compliance with, the provisions of this Code and the rules and regulationspromulgatedinaccordanceherewith. (3)TocausetheprosecutionoftheviolatorsofthisCodeandotherpertinentlawsonproductscovered bythisCode. (4)Toexercisesuchotherpowersandfunctionsasmaybenecessaryfororincidentaltotheattainment ofthepurposesandobjectivesofthisCode. Sec.13.Sanctions (a)AnypersonwhoviolatestheprovisionsofthisCodeortherulesandregulationsissuedpursuantto this Code shall, upon conviction, be punished by a penalty of two (2) months to one (1) year imprisonment or a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) nor more than Thirty

ThousandPesos(P30,000.00)orboth.Shouldtheoffensebecommittedbyajuridicalperson,the chairmanoftheBoardofDirectors,thepresident,generalmanager,orthepartnersand/orthepersons directlyresponsibletherefor,shallbepenalized. (b)Anylicense,permitorauthorityissuedbyanygovernmentagencytoanyhealthworker,distributor, manufacturer,ormarketingfirmorpersonnelforthepracticeoftheirprofessionoroccupation,orfor thepursuitoftheirbusiness,may,uponrecommendationoftheMinistryofHealth,besuspendedor revokedintheeventofrepeatedviolationsofthisCode,oroftherulesandregulationsissuedpursuant tothisCode. Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. All laws, orders, issuances, and rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistentwiththisExecutiveOrderareherebyrepealedormodifiedaccordingly. Sec.15.SeparabilityClause.TheprovisionsofthisExecutiveOrderareherebydeemedseparable.If anyprovisionthereofbedeclaredinvalidorunconstitutional,suchinvalidityorunconstitutionalityshall notaffecttheotherprovisionswhichshallremaininfullforceandeffect. Sec.16.EffectivityThisExecutiveOrdershalltakeeffectthirty(30)daysfollowingitspublicationin theOfficialGazette. DoneintheCityofManila,this20thdayofOctober,intheyearofOurLord,nineteenhundredand eightysix.

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