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The Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Children and Social Integration issued a favorable opinion on reforming the Law “Love Turned into Food for the Promotion, Protection, and Support of Breastfeeding”, with the aim of strengthening regulations on products that replace breast milk and ensuring better protection of the health and nutrition of young children.
The legislation, in effect from 2022, will be amended to more precisely define breast milk substitutes, such as infant formula, and to reinforce health controls, labeling, and promotion of these products. The opinion will soon be presented to the full Assembly, where legislators will discuss it and decide whether to approve the proposed reforms.
During the analysis of the initiative, legislators heard from representatives of the Ministerio de Salud (MINSAL) and the Office of the First Lady, who supported the changes to the legislation. Among them, Elisa Gamero explained that breast milk substitutes are products that can partially replace breast milk, but do not equal it in nutritional content.
Gamero emphasized that infant formulas should be considered a complement to, not a replacement for, breastfeeding, so it is essential that this information be clearly stated on the labels. She also indicated that these labels should not include messages that could discourage breastfeeding or suggest that they offer benefits equivalent to breast milk.
Among the main proposed changes is the expansion of regulations to related products such as bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups, which will also have to comply with specific provisions within the legal framework. Furthermore, an amendment to Article 8 of the law is proposed to clarify concepts related to breast milk substitutes, including infant formulas, special products, growth-enhancing products, follow-up products, and other foods or beverages intended for children from birth to 36 months of age.
Another adjustment involves modifying Article 6, to require mandatory health registration of these products and regulate the authorization of their labeling according to standards established by health authorities.
These reforms aim to strengthen controls over infant feeding products, ensuring they meet safety and transparency standards for consumers, especially parents and caregivers.
The original law was passed in september 2022 with 78 votes, establishing for the first time measures to guarantee mothers’ right to breastfeed, as well as conditions for its practice. Among its provisions are skin-to-skin contact between mother and child immediately after birth and the newborn’s right to be breastfed during the first hour of life.
The legislation also recognizes the benefits of breastfeeding for the child’s overall development, including strengthening the immune system, as well as emotional and cognitive development, and consolidating the bond between mother and child.
Legislators indicated that these reforms are part of a series of efforts aimed at strengthening early childhood protection in El Salvador, in accordance with other laws such as the “Born with Love” and “Growing Together” laws.
With the ruling now issued, the full legislature will analyze the proposal in session and determine whether the modifications will be incorporated into the current legal framework.
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