title: Point-of-sale promotion of breastmilk substitutes and commercially produced complementary foods in Cambodia, Nepal, Senegal and Tanzania.
abstract: In order to assess the prevalence of point-of-sale promotions of infant and young child feeding products in Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Kathmandu Valley, Nepal; Dakar Department, Senegal; and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, approximately 30 retail stores per site, 121 in total, were visited. Promotional activity for breastmilk substitutes (BMS) and commercially produced complementary foods in each site were recorded. Point-of-sale promotion of BMS occurred in approximately one-third of sampled stores in Phnom Penh and Dakar Department but in 3.2% and 6.7% of stores in Kathmandu Valley and Dar es Salaam, respectively. Promotion of commercially produced complementary foods was highly prevalent in Dakar Department with half of stores having at least one promotion, while promotions for these products occurred in 10% or less of stores in the other three sites. While promotion of BMS in stores is legal in Senegal, it is prohibited in Cambodia without prior permission of the Ministry of Health/Ministry of Information and prohibited in both Nepal and Tanzania. Strengthening legislation in Senegal and enforcing regulations in Cambodia could help to prevent such promotion that can negatively affect breastfeeding practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even in countries such as Cambodia, Nepal and Tanzania where point-of-sale promotion is restricted, promotions of BMS were observed (in nearly one-third of stores in Phnom Penh and less than 10% in Dar es Salaam and Kathmandu). Limited promotion of commercially produced complementary foods was evident (less than 10% of stores had a promotion for such foods), except in Dakar Department, where promotions were found in half of stores. Efforts are needed to strengthen monitoring, regulation and enforcement of restrictions on the promotion of BMS. Manufacturers and distributors should take responsibility for compliance with national regulations and global policies pertaining to the promotion of breastmilk substitutes.
authors.affiliation: Helen Keller International, Washington, DC., USA.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Champeny
authors.affiliation: JB Consultancy, Bryanston, South Africa.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: JB Consultancy, Bryanston, South Africa.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.affiliation: Helen Keller International, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
authors.forename: Mengkheang
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khin
authors.affiliation: Helen Keller International, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Aminata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ndiaye Coly
authors.affiliation: Helen Keller International, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Ndeye Yaga
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Sy Gueye
authors.affiliation: Helen Keller International, Kathmandu, Nepal.
authors.forename: Indu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Adhikary
authors.affiliation: Consultant to Helen Keller International.
authors.forename: Shrid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dhungel
authors.affiliation: Helen Keller International, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Makafu
authors.affiliation: Helen Keller International, Washington, DC., USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zehner
authors.affiliation: Consultant to Helen Keller International.
authors.forename: Sandra L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Huffman
mesh_terms: D001628:Beverages / Q000191:economics; D002160:Cambodia; D003906:Developing Countries; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D005515:Food Labeling; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007225:Infant Food / Q000191:economics; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000191:economics; D041941:Milk Substitutes / Q000191:economics; D009390:Nepal; D012675:Senegal; D062410:Snacks; D013636:Tanzania; D014504:Urban Health