New: Marketing of breast-milk substitutes: national implementation of the International Code, status report 2026

The latest biennial Global Code Status Report published by the WHO, UNICEF and IBFAN is now available here and here.

This report provides the 2026 global analysis of national implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast‑milk Substitutes (BMS) and subsequent World Health Assembly (WHA) resolutions, updated since 2024. It synthesizes updated legal data from 194 WHO Member States, evaluating the degree to which national measures incorporate the full set of Code provisions, including:

  • Scope

  • Monitoring and enforcement

  • Information and education materials on IYCF

  • Promotion restrictions (to the public)

  • Health system safeguards

  • Labelling requirements.

As of March 2026, 148 countries (representing 76% of WHO Member States and 92% of global births) have adopted at least some Code-related legal measures. The report shows steady but insufficient progress in Code implementation globally.
There is a very useful section 5 (Pg 10-12) providing comprehensive and updated information on "How Code legislation impacts breastfeeding rates". Countries substantially aligned with the Code report exclusive breastfeeding rates of 54%, countries moderately aligned with the Code report 45% EBF, countries with some provisions of the Code (which is what the UK is categorise as) report 38% EBF on average and countries with no legal measures report 24% EBF.

The data provides justification and motivation for strengthening national Code legislation, and this updated information can and should be used in advocacy efforts. The UK still scores just 40/100 on the Global Code Status Report (while most other European Union countries score even lower, at 32/100), showing much room for improvement, to contribute to an enabling environment for optimal infant and young child feeding, to ensure the best start in life.

On 21 May 2026, the Association of Lactation Consultants of Ireland (ALCI) presented a webinar to celebrate 45 years of the WHO Code, and the recording is available here.

First Steps Nutrition