Abstract

In 1981, the World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (WHO Code). Thailand had implemented WHO Code since 1984 as a voluntary measure. Later, in 2010, WHA adopted a Resolution urging countries to develop and strengthen the WHO Code by legislative and regulatory measure, Therefore, between 2010 and 2017, the Department of Health- the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand- drafted and legislated a bill to control marketing of infant and young child food”. Finally, the Control of Marketing of Infant and Young Child Food Act B.E. 2560 was passed the National Legislative Assembly of Thailand on 4th April 2017. The Act was fully effective on 8th September 2018. To ensure that the Act is able to control baby food marketing effectively, the monitoring and enforcement system of the Act should be assessed. Also, baby food marketing and its effects on mothers should be explored to improve the Act.

This study aims to assess baby food marketing and the effectiveness of the monitoring and enforcement system of the Act in Thailand. The study will employ cross-sectional survey using mixed methods. The study will collect data through electronic tablet questionnaires, in-depth interview, non-participant observation and document review. Sample groups includes mothers, health professionals, government officers and civil society group members.The expected results will show Corporate Political Activities and existing compliance and non-compliance of baby food companies with the Act and WHO Code. It will also show how mothers perceive baby food marketing, and its effects on their feeding behaviour. Moreover, the study will illustrate the quality of the monitoring system and law enforcement. Findings will provide information for stakeholders to strengthen the Act and improve its monitoring and enforcement system to restrict inappropriate baby food marketing in Thailand.

About Nisachol

Nisachol Cetthakrikul, PhD Student in Department of Health Services Research and Policy. Before studying for her PhD, she has worked as a researcher at International Health Policy Program-the Ministry of Public Health in Thailand- for six years. Her work focuses on breastfeeding policy. Furthermore, she supported Department of Health, the Ministry of Public Health (Thailand), to legislate the Control of Marketing of Infant and Young Child Food Act B.E. 2560.