The Hindu : Parliament passes Bill on infant milk substitutes

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Friday, May 09, 2003

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Parliament passes Bill on infant milk substitutes

NEW DELHI MAY 8. Prompted by the recent scientific research that breast-feeding was a must for a child, Parliament, on Wednesday, passed a Bill seeking to prohibit all forms of advertisement and promotion of infant milk substitutes.

The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (regulation of production, supply and distribution) Amendment Bill, 2003, was passed by the Rajya Sabha by a voice vote with the Human Resource Development Minister, Murli Manohar Joshi, warning that strict action would be taken against companies violating the law.

Replying to a discussion on the Bill, Mr. Joshi said infant malnutrition not only impairs a child physically but also adversely impacts his mental development. He said as per the National Family Health Survey II, the number of children being breast-fed had increased from 38 per cent to 41 per cent and this number was expected to go up further.

Members, cutting across party lines, supported the legislation but suggested that the Government take steps to check infant mortality and ensure that women living below the poverty line get a nutritious diet to be able to breast-feed their babies.

The Lok Sabha has already passed the Bill.

— PTI

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