Cutting through the conflict: Reducing conflicts of interest in maternal, infant and young child nutrition policy and practice
1
Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Department of Nutrition & Food Safety, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
3
World Health Organization, Pretoria, South Africa
4
Cluster: Child, Youth and School Health, National Department of Health, Pretoria, South Africa
5
UNICEF, Pretoria, South Africa
6
School of Public Health, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3210
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Despite clear and consistent global guidance on preventing conflicts of interest (COI) in the field of maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN)1-6, commercial influence continues to shape research, policy setting, continuing professional development (CPD) of health professionals, and health professional association priorities.
METHODS:
This organized session will bring together global and local/national experts, and those involved in country-level action to describe recent global guidance relating to preventing COI in MIYCN by the commercial milk formula industry. Examples of best practice will be shared, where action has resulted in commercial influence being reduced or eliminated, and where commercial influence has been a barrier to eliminating these conflicts.
RESULTS:
There is clear evidence to document the harms of commercial influence, especially in vulnerable groups such as mothers and infants, particularly from the commercial milk formula industry7. Case studies will be used from various regions to illustrate facilitators and barriers to reducing COI in MIYCN policy and programming, research, health professional training and at service delivery. This session will present recommendations on how to ensure that MIYCN policy, programming, government priorities, research, training and public health messaging[ZK4.1] and education are safeguarded against commercial influence8-12. Lessons learned from coordinated global advocacy will also be shared13-14.
CONCLUSIONS:
Recommendations will be provided for future action to reduce, mitigate and manage commercial influence on maternal, infant, and child nutrition, considering emerging products, industries and technologies that may threaten the independence of policy makers, health professional and training institutions.
Despite clear and consistent global guidance on preventing conflicts of interest (COI) in the field of maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN)1-6, commercial influence continues to shape research, policy setting, continuing professional development (CPD) of health professionals, and health professional association priorities.
METHODS:
This organized session will bring together global and local/national experts, and those involved in country-level action to describe recent global guidance relating to preventing COI in MIYCN by the commercial milk formula industry. Examples of best practice will be shared, where action has resulted in commercial influence being reduced or eliminated, and where commercial influence has been a barrier to eliminating these conflicts.
RESULTS:
There is clear evidence to document the harms of commercial influence, especially in vulnerable groups such as mothers and infants, particularly from the commercial milk formula industry7. Case studies will be used from various regions to illustrate facilitators and barriers to reducing COI in MIYCN policy and programming, research, health professional training and at service delivery. This session will present recommendations on how to ensure that MIYCN policy, programming, government priorities, research, training and public health messaging[ZK4.1] and education are safeguarded against commercial influence8-12. Lessons learned from coordinated global advocacy will also be shared13-14.
CONCLUSIONS:
Recommendations will be provided for future action to reduce, mitigate and manage commercial influence on maternal, infant, and child nutrition, considering emerging products, industries and technologies that may threaten the independence of policy makers, health professional and training institutions.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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