UNICEF Calls for Stronger FDA Oversight on Child Nutrition

UNICEF has reiterated the importance of safeguarding child health through stringent regulation of products intended for their consumption, including breast milk substitutes.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a crucial role in ensuring these products adhere to high safety standards, protecting children from potential harm.

The Philippines is grappling with a severe nutrition crisis, with one in four children suffering from the triple burden of malnutrition, including stunting, which affects nearly 3 million children.

Malnutrition costs the country over PHP 174 billion (USD 3.1 billion) in lost productivity each year, emphasizing the urgent need for policies and interventions prioritizing child welfare.

“Every child deserves the best nutrition and care to support their growth and development,” said Behzad Noubary, Acting Representative for UNICEF Philippines.

“The FDA’s decades of expertise in maintaining regulatory frameworks ensure that children in the Philippines have access to safe, nutritious products that support their healthy development and empower their potential.”

Proper nutrition during the first 1,000 days of life is vital for a child’s growth and development.

Breastfeeding must be protected and promoted while ensuring the public receives accurate, consistent, and objective information about breast milk substitutes, supplements, and related products.

This can be achieved through the implementation of strong regulations governing the marketing and distribution of these substitutes and related products.

The FDA enforces the Philippine Milk Code to uphold these standards and plays a key role in the country’s fight against malnutrition and in fostering child development.

Continued oversight is essential to safeguard children’s health and prevent misleading claims about milk and milk products that could lead families to choose less nutritious options.

UNICEF calls for sustained collaboration across all sectors to support policies that protect child health and ensure every child has access to proper nutrition from infancy.

Strong regulatory measures and coordination among government agencies remain crucial in securing the well-being of Filipino children.