Table 1_Implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes and maternity protection: correlations with commercial milk formula consumption in East Asia and the Pacific.docx

ObjectiveThe rise of commercial milk formulas (CMF) consumption by infants and young children raises concerns about their health, development, and survival. Implementing the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Code) and maternity protection policies are two of seven critical policy actions to protect breastfeeding. This study explores the implementation of the Code, maternity protection policies, and CMF consumption in 11 countries in the East Asia Pacific (EAP) region and determines whether there are any correlations.
MethodsData on CMF consumption (from 2006 to 2019 with the projection to 2024 at the global, regional, and national levels), Code implementation scores and the age range covered by national measures, and maternity protection policies were used. Simple linear regressions were conducted to explore correlations between CMF consumption and Code implementation as well as maternity protection.
FindingsIn 2019, EAP contributed to 63% of global CMF consumption, toddler formula was the highest category, a product that is unnecessary and unsuitable for consumption by young children. Sales volumes and per capita consumption of most CMF types have increased in the region between 2006 and 2024. Currently, nine out of the 11 countries have adopted Code legal measures. Japan and Malaysia have none and are relying on voluntary measures. Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore now have some Code provisions as legal measures (none in 2020). CMF marketing in Australia and New Zealand remain largely voluntary. Only the Philippines and Thailand are covering CMF up to 36 months. Seven of the 11 countries provide the minimum maternity protection entitlements based on International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. As total scores on Code implementation increased, per capita CMF consumption decreased. Most countries with high overall CMF consumption had no Code legal measures. Philippines, with the highest Code implementation score, showed the lowest per capita CMF consumption. Though no correlation found between CMF consumption and paid maternity leave duration, other forms of maternity protection were not included in the regression.
RecommendationAdopt legal measures to give full effect to the Code as opposed to relying on voluntary measures. Prioritise strengthening comprehensive maternity protection, cultivate intersectoral policy environments.

研究目标：婴幼儿商业配方奶粉（commercial milk formulas, CMF）的消费增长引发了对其健康、发育与生存状况的担忧。落实《国际母乳代用品销售守则》（以下简称《守则》）与产假保护政策，是七项关键母乳喂养保护政策举措中的两项。本研究针对亚太东部（East Asia Pacific, EAP）区域的11个国家，探讨《守则》落实情况、产假保护政策实施现状与商业配方奶粉消费情况，并分析三者间的相关性。
研究方法：本研究采用了2006年至2019年的商业配方奶粉消费数据（并延伸预测至2024年，覆盖全球、区域与国家层面）、《守则》落实评分与国家相关措施覆盖的年龄范围，以及产假保护政策相关数据。通过简单线性回归分析，探究商业配方奶粉消费与《守则》落实情况、产假保护政策之间的相关性。
研究结果：2019年，亚太东部区域贡献了全球63%的商业配方奶粉消费，其中幼儿配方奶粉占比最高——此类产品对于幼儿而言既无必要也不适宜食用。2006年至2024年间，该区域多数品类商业配方奶粉的销量与人均消费量均有所增长。目前，11个国家中有9个已将《守则》相关要求纳入法律措施；日本与马来西亚未采取此类立法举措，仅依赖自愿性措施。澳大利亚、新西兰与新加坡目前已将部分《守则》条款纳入法律措施（2020年时尚无相关立法），两国的商业配方奶粉营销仍以自愿性规范为主。仅有菲律宾与泰国将商业配方奶粉的监管覆盖至36月龄以下婴幼儿。11个国家中有7个达到了国际劳工组织（International Labour Organization, ILO）规定的最低产假保护权益标准。随着《守则》落实总评分提升，人均商业配方奶粉消费量呈下降趋势。多数商业配方奶粉整体消费水平较高的国家，未将《守则》要求纳入法律规范。其中，《守则》落实评分最高的菲律宾，人均商业配方奶粉消费量最低。尽管本研究未发现商业配方奶粉消费与带薪产假时长之间存在相关性，但回归分析未纳入其他形式的产假保护措施。
政策建议：应通过立法措施全面落实《守则》要求，而非仅依赖自愿性规范。优先强化全面的产假保护体系，构建跨部门的政策支持环境。