Solon pushes breastfeeding to counteract melamine scare

10/05/2008

A senior member of the House of Representative over the weekend urged Congress to enact a measure promoting a comprehensive policy on breastfeeding which he said is the answer to the “melamine scare” that has been engulfing many countries worldwide, including the Philippines.

“This measure will also serve as a precautionary measure to address the influx of powdered milk containing melamine coming from China,” Parañaque Rep. Eduardo Zialcita said.

Zialcita, author of House Bill 421, clarified, however, that he is not against the use of powdered milk as long as “it is safe for consumption.”

“Right now, breastfeeding mothers are turning to carabao, cow and even goat milk in far-flung areas of the country after the warning from the government that milk which contained melamine from China are not safe for babies,” Zialcita said.

He added regulations on advertising and the promotion of powdered milk have been made more stringent to prevent manufacturers from undermining breastfeeding and to encourage lactating mothers to breastfeed their infants.

Zialcita said breastfeeding, if done to infants 2 to 6 months old and onwards, would produce healthier individuals.

Under the bill, breastfeeding mothers will have full access to education, information and training on infant feeding and nutrition.

The bill mandates hospitals, clinics and commercial malls to put breastfeeding rooms that may be used as rooming-in facilities for mothers to feed their infants.

“The measure seeks to promote the sharing of scientific and medical information with health care professionals, as well as nutritional and health claims, provided these have scientific and factual bases and are approved by an Interagency Committee tasked to implement the provisions of the proposed act,” Zialcita said. Charlie V. Manalo

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