The Nasarawa State Office of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has established a 15-member multi-sectoral committee to regulate the marketing of breast milk substitutes, in line with national and international standards and guidelines.
At the committee’s inauguration on Wednesday, 30 July, in Lafia, the State Coordinator and Committee Chairman, Mr Anga Emmanuel, stated that the initiative follows a directive from NAFDAC’s Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye.
“The committee’s primary objective is to ensure compliance with the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes and national regulations. We inaugurated this committee to demonstrate our commitment to enforcing regulations and promoting breastfeeding practices,” he said.
Emmanuel highlighted the critical importance of optimal breastfeeding practices, noting their significant health benefits for both mothers and infants.
He stressed that breast milk substitutes should not be advertised on any platform or sold indiscriminately unless prescribed by a doctor due to specific maternal health conditions post-birth.
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Mrs Blessing Abel, NAFDAC’s Principal Regulatory and Desk Officer for breast milk substitutes, underscored that breast milk provides essential nutrients and immune support, fostering healthy growth and development in infants.
“Breast milk is highly nutritional, and the substitute should only be given to children when the mother is sick or has unfortunately died after giving birth,” she said.
Abel added that breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer, cardiovascular issues, and metabolic diseases in mothers, while also providing hormones and bioactive substances that support infants’ cognitive and psychosocial development.
She urged mothers to initiate breastfeeding within 30 minutes to one hour after birth and to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months to maximise health benefits for both mother and child.
The committee includes representatives from NAFDAC, the state ministries of Health, Information, and Women Affairs, the State Nutrition Officer, the Primary Healthcare and Development Agency, the Department of State Services, and other stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative approach to enforcing regulations and promoting breastfeeding in Nasarawa State.