Nutrient and promotion profile model: supporting appropriate promotion of food products for infants and young children 6–36 months in the WHO European Region

Abstract

There is growing international concern about the suitability of some commercial food products for infants and young children (‎FIYC)‎ sold across Europe. Sweet purées and snack foods dominate the market, deriving a high proportion of energy from free sugar (‎including fruit juice)‎ or because intense maceration (‎puréeing)‎ has released intrinsic sugars from within plant cell walls. Additionally, many products do not adhere to WHO’s recommendation to introduce food at 6 months and are marketed as suitable from 4 months, potentially displacing breast milk. Existing guidelines for FIYC fall short, resulting in the marketing and sale of unsuitable products. Member States have therefore called for action to end the inappropriate promotion of FIYC. WHO will support Member States, industry, policy-makers and other stakeholders via this nutrient and promotion profile model (‎NPPM)‎ to ensure appropriate products with suitable, clear promotional materials are available for infants and young children aged 6 months to 3 years. The NPPM sets out nutrient and promotional requirements across different product categories. It may be adopted in full or locally adapted to evaluate product suitability, inform product reformulation and guide policy reform to support public health goals for optimal infant nutrition and development.