The Hindu : National : Government allays NHRC fear over Infant Milk Act

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Friday, Mar 11, 2005

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Government allays NHRC fear over Infant Milk Act

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 10. Reacting to the concern expressed by the National Human Rights Commission against the reported move to repeal the Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods Act (IMS Act), the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries has said that it proposes to make a recommendation to the Group of Ministers constituted on the subject not to repeal the IMS Act but only to amend it.

This would be done after obtaining the advice from the Law Ministry, it said. The Ministry of Food Processing, told the NHRC in a letter dated February 24, that its fear about a possible repeal leading to unethical marketing practices, like denigration of mother's milk or discouragement of breastfeeding, was unfounded. It said that a well-drafted regulation under the proposed Bill would address the concern. The Ministry was responding to a letter from the NHRC. The commission had said that the IMS Act was not a routine food law. It was a special Act to protect, promote and support breastfeeding; it did not deal with purity or adulteration of baby foods. It focussed on marketing and other practices that interfered with breastfeeding and jeopardised the well being of the baby and mother. The protection of breastfeeding was vital for saving the lives of millions of children in India, it said.

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