According to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health decree, commercial information material concerning the feeding of children under one year of age must have prior approval from the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). (Decree 633/2024)
The decree is based on the European Commission Directive on infant formula and follow-on formula (2016/127 Article 10). The directive requires that families and professionals working with young children’s nutrition receive objective information on feeding.
What does THL check in the material?
THL checks whether the benefits of breastfeeding are sufficiently presented and whether the information material meets the content requirements and the spirit of the decree.
The material must be based on scientific and factual information, comply with nutrition recommendations and encourage breastfeeding.
It should support the child’s holistic care and early interaction and must not present bottle-feeding as comparable to or better than breastfeeding.
THL ensures that the material supports current breastfeeding recommendations and complies with infant feeding guidelines.
The material must not include brand names of products intended for infants or young children, but the donor company’s name or abbreviation may appear. Only information material concerning clinical nutritional products intended for infants may include the product’s brand name.
The material must not contain product information.
What are the principles behind the review?
The assessment is based on the decree as well as national breastfeeding and care recommendations, Eating Together – Dietary Recommendations for Families with Children (2019) and national nutrition recommendations (2024).
It is possible to add a note of approval to material accepted by THL.