Renata Vettorazzi
Zdravstvena fakulteta, Univerza v Ljubljani, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Uroš Rajkovič
Fakulteta za organizacijske vede, Univerza v Mariboru, Maribor, Slovenija

Ljubiša Pađen
Zdravstvena fakulteta, Univerza v Ljubljani, Ljubljana, Slovenija

Abstract

The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes was adopted in 1981 to protect and promote the proper nutrition of infants and young children. The main purpose of the Code is to ensure safe and adequate nutrition for all infants. Today, 40 years after the adoption of the Code, problems with its violation due to inappropriate marketing continue. In the narrative review of the literature, we want to identify and define the scope, nature and practices in the field of violations of the Code. Publications in the CINAHL, PubMed and ScienceDirect databases helped us prepare the literature review. We found many and varied violations of the Code and classified them into two categories – direct violations and indirect violations. Health professionals play an important role in protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding. At the same time, they must draw attention to violations of the Code, taking into account moral-ethical, legal and professional standards. In Slovenia, we will develop and achieve successful practices when the Code is fully implemented at all levels of healthcare and public health.

Key words: code of marketing, breastfeeding, breastmilk substitutes, infant formula, healthcare workers, compliance