Who is this guidance for?
This guidance is intended for organisations producing materials related to infant feeding and for healthcare professionals distributing such materials. The guidance is legally binding.
What material does the guidance cover?
The guidance applies to all information material that addresses the feeding, eating habits and nutrition of children under three years of age.
Information material refers to written and audiovisual content distributed through various communication channels, as well as related tools, that include descriptions or instructions concerning breastfeeding, feeding, eating habits or nutrition. Examples include printed leaflets or web pages. Packaging and nutritional labelling required by food legislation are not considered information material.
Prior Approval of Material by THL
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) approves material if:
- it concerns the nutrition of infants (children under one year of age) and
- it is partly or wholly funded by commerce or industry.
Prior approval is not required if:
- The material concerns the nutrition of children over one year of age. However, the content must comply with the regulation (STM 633/2024).
- The material is non-commercial, meaning it does not aim to promote the sale of any product. Such material may be funded by non-profit associations or public healthcare providers.
Reviewing information material is subject to a fee. The fee is €320 or €800 depending on the scope of the review (STM Decree 1019/2013).
Producer’s Own Assessment of the Material
Before submitting the material to THL, the producer must assess how well the material meets the requirements of STM Decree 633/2024. The producer must attach the completed self-assessment form to the application.
Self-assessment form in Finnish
Submitting Material to THL
Send the material by email to imevaisruokinta(at)thl.fi. Attach the completed self-assessment form.
The material should be as complete as possible. Illustrations are also subject to prior approval. Additionally, provide the following details:
- name of the information material
- name and abbreviation of the producing company
- name and contact details of the responsible contact person
- target audience for the material
- intended distribution channels and target groups
Materials are reviewed by a multidisciplinary working group at THL, which generally meets four times a year. In 2026, meetings will be held on 26.2., 21.5., 24.9. and 10.12. To ensure the material is reviewed at the next meeting, it must reach THL at least four weeks before the meeting. Materials requiring a second review may be processed at other times if necessary.
Questions about the review schedule can be sent to imevaisruokinta(at)thl.fi. Please include the material’s reference number in all enquiries.
THL approves material if it meets the requirements of Decree 633/2024 and does not conflict with national nutrition recommendations. A written decision will be provided. If the requirements are not met and/or the material conflicts with national nutrition recommendations, it will be returned for revision.
Distribution of Material in Healthcare
Commercial information material concerning infant formula, follow-on formula or clinical nutritional products intended for infants may only be distributed through the healthcare system. Material may only be given to consumers and caregivers who, in the judgement of healthcare professionals, need it. Only materials approved by THL may be distributed.
Premises of health and social care services may not be used for the presentation or promotion of infant formula, follow-on formula, or clinical nutritional products intended for infants. This prohibition applies to events and activities organised for pregnant women, mothers and families, or other consumers.
THL-Approved Materials (Starting from 2020)
- Piltti.fi nettisivuston artikkelit, Nestle. Approved 3.11.2025. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Ensilusikallisia-opas, Valio. Approved 27.2.2025. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Vastasyntyneen ravinto, Suomen Nestlé Oy – Nestlé. Approved 18.12.2024. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Nutrilon Pepti Syneo -potilasopas, Nutricia, c/o Danone Oy. Approved 19.9.2024. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Neocate-potilasopas, Nutricia, c/o Danone Oy. Approved 27.5.2024. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Maitoallergia.fi-sivusto, Nutricia, c/o Danone Oy. Approved 29.5.2023. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Epäiletkö, että lapsellasi on maitoallergia -esite, Suomen Nestlé Oy – Nestlé. Approved 19.12.2022. Distributed through healthcare professionals
- Nutramigen ohjeita ja reseptejä, ABIGO Medical Oy. Approved 15.12.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Maitoallergiavideo, Nutricia Medical Oy. Approved 11.9.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals
- Nutrilon Omneo -potilasopas, Nutricia Medical Oy. Approved 28.5.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Nutrilon AR ja Nutriton -potilasopas, Nutricia Medical Oy. Approved 28.5.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Anvisningar till föräldrarna för att starka spädbarnets tolerans, Suomen Nestlé Oy – Nestlé. Approved 28.5.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Lapsi, tuttipullo ja minä - opas pulloruokintaan, Suomen Nestlé Oy – Nestlé. Approved 28.5.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Nutrilon Peptisyneo - lehmänmaitoallergian ruokavaliohoitoon, Nutricia Medical Oy. Approved 20.2.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals.
- Jauhemainen äidinmaidonkorvike ja vieroitusvalmiste, Opas käyttäjälle, Nutricia Medical Oy. Approved 20.2.2020. Distributed through healthcare professionals
Information material refers to written and audiovisual content distributed through various channels, as well as related tools, that include descriptions or instructions concerning breastfeeding, infant feeding, eating habits or nutrition (633/2024). Packaging and nutritional labelling required by food legislation are not considered information material (633/2024). Commercial information material refers to material partly or wholly funded by industry or commerce (633/2024).
If the material contains general descriptions or instructions related to breastfeeding, infant feeding, eating habits or nutrition, it is considered information material and must receive prior approval from THL. Information material must not include advertisements or present products by brand name. A product brand name is permitted only when discussing clinical nutritional products intended for infants. Marketing regulations can be found in food legislation.
Infant formulae and follow on formulae (Finnisf Food Authority)
Infant formula refers to a food intended for infants during the first months of life to meet their nutritional needs until appropriate complementary feeding is introduced. Follow-on formula refers to a food intended for infants when complementary feeding is introduced and to constitute the principal liquid element in a progressively diversified diet.
Websites may contain pages defined as information material, but they must comply with STM Decree 633/2024. Key points:
- Information material concerning infant formula, follow-on formula or clinical nutritional products intended for infants may only be distributed through the healthcare system, not on company websites.
- Packaging and nutritional labelling are not considered information material and may be shown online.
- References or links to individual products or brand names are not allowed.
- The donor company’s name or abbreviation may appear separately, e.g., at the top or bottom of the page, and may link to the company’s homepage.
- There must be no links from information material pages to brand pages, but brand pages may link to THL-approved information pages.
Material should be as complete as possible, including layout and illustrations. It can be sent by post or email to imevaisruokinta(at)thl.fi. If sent by post, three identical copies are required.
Additional details to provide:
- name of the information material
- name and abbreviation of the producing company
- name and contact details of the responsible contact person
- target audience for the material
- intended distribution channels and target groups
The review process is described in: Prior Approval.
Yes, if the material addresses feeding of infants under 12 months. According to STM Decree 633/2024, information material must include:
- benefits and superiority of breastfeeding compared to other feeding;
- nutrition during pregnancy and preparation for breastfeeding and its maintenance;
- procedures for breastfeeding difficulties;
- harmful effects of partial formula feeding on breastfeeding;
- difficulty reversing the decision not to breastfeed;
- difficulty restarting breastfeeding once stopped;
- appropriate use of infant formula, follow-on formula and clinical nutritional products when necessary.
If the material includes information on infant formula or follow-on formula, it must also mention the social and economic implications of use and health risks from inappropriate feeding methods or unsuitable foods, as well as risks from unnecessary or incorrect use of formula.
Breastfeeding benefits must be highlighted in all information material related to infant feeding. Parents usually review materials before introducing solids. Complementary foods should be introduced alongside breastfeeding based on individual needs at 4–6 months. Breastfeeding is recommended up to one year and beyond if desired. In case of breastfeeding difficulties, families should seek help from maternity hospitals (for newborns) or child health clinics. Peer support is available from the Finnish Breastfeeding Support Association and local support groups Breastfeeding peer support.
Breastfeeding peer support in English
If the material addresses only feeding of toddlers (1–3 years), breastfeeding does not need to be covered and prior approval by THL is not required.
No. According to STM Decree 633/2024, commercial information material concerning infant formula, follow-on formula or clinical nutritional products intended for infants may only be distributed through the healthcare system and only to families and caregivers identified by healthcare professionals as needing it.
Information must be up-to-date, terminology consistent and appropriate for Finnish conditions and practices. Content must align with current nutrition recommendations (Eating Together – Food Recommendations for Families with Children, 2019). Materials should clearly support exclusive breastfeeding and breastfeeding recommendations. To ensure accuracy, materials should be prepared in collaboration with professionals. Producers must also be aware of other regulations and restrictions concerning sales, marketing and communication related to infant feeding.
THL provides guidance by email at imevaisruokinta(at)thl.fi. All consultation is in writing via email. We do not provide guidance by phone.
