Infant and child nutrition pledge

Reckitt believes breast-milk provides the best nutrition for infants to achieve optimal growth and development.

Reckitt is unequivocal in its commitment to creating supportive environments for breastfeeding and encourages all women should they choose, to breastfeed their infant in the first six months of life.

We will not promote Infant Formula in a way that encourages women to choose it over breastfeeding. Reckitt will help children survive and thrive by providing the best nutritional start in life, whichever feeding method parents choose. We believe that there is an important role for Reckitt in providing innovative and science-based nutrition solutions that promote healthy diets for mothers and children.

We support the WHO recommendation for exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, followed by the introduction of nutritious Complementary Foods thereafter. We also support continued breastfeeding up to two years of age and beyond. We will communicate in a responsible and ethical way at all times, so as to create clarity – not confusion – for mothers who are making informed choices about their children’s nutrition. We will work with others in our industry, customers, partners, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders to promote best practice in this area.

Reckitt has a Global Parental Leave Policy that supports creating a conducive environment and includes 16 weeks of paid leave and can be supplemented with up to 36 weeks of unpaid leave, allowing for a full year of employment protection whilst home with a new child. Those on maternity leave are supported by mentoring and other career support, including flexible working arrangements. Dedicated facilities are also available to support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.

Where breastfeeding is not feasible or needs to be supplemented, we pledge, as a leader in science-based infant and young child nutrition, to continue our scientific and medical research to provide the highest quality BMS, so that children can achieve their full potential.

We will always comply with the local laws and our own Reckitt policies and standards, ensuring we operate to the highest possible standard. We recognise our critical role in ensuring that Infant Formulas, Delivery Products, Follow-On Formulas and information concerning their use, are marketed responsibly. In situations where breastfeeding is not possible, we advocate the safe use and preparation of all formulas by promoting a hygienic environment and the use of safe water supplies.

Our policies and procedures reflect the additional responsibility associated with the provision of infant nutrition, and as such, safety and quality will always be a top priority.

Parents put their trust in us and the innovative products we provide for the healthy growth and development of their children. Reckitt takes this responsibility very seriously.

We always ensure that our products are formulated to the most stringent nutritional standards and comply with all national laws as well as international standards (such as Codex Alimentarius) related to the composition, safety, quality and manufacturing of infant nutrition products. Reckitt is particularly proud of our uncompromising commitment to product quality and consumer safety.

Reckitt is committed to being a key industry player in responsible marketing standards, by collaborating with governments and supporting countries, as they translate the recommendations of the WHO Code and relevant WHA resolutions into national law. Reckitt has established responsible marketing principles, which guide all of our marketing practices and to which all employees must adhere. This ensures we are always acting in a way that is responsible and transparent to consumers, while also providing them with accurate information to make informed nutritional decisions. Reckitt will extend these principles to take account of the unique responsibilities to market BMS products appropriately. We will ensure all our employees are trained, and that our performance is regularly monitored, reviewed and our quality standards are updated accordingly. We will work continually to ensure compliance in all of the countries where we operate.

Our Pledge will be communicated to all our employees involved in the distribution, marketing and sales of BMS, with appropriate training provided to support the implementation of related policies and procedures.

We will work with retail customers and distributors acting on behalf of Reckitt (MJN) involved in bringing our products to market to establish awareness and emphasise the importance of abiding by relevant laws, our BMS Marketing Policy and this Pledge.

Access to accurate and scientifically validated nutrition information is critical for healthcare professionals to provide the best nutritional advice, and to empower mothers to make informed nutrition decisions. The critical and specialised nature of our infant and child nutrition products requires that we work closely with the scientific and medical communities. Therefore, in Lower-Risk countries, distribution of materials on Infant Formula will follow local legislation, and in Higher-Risk countries, materials on Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula, will only be distributed by health care facilities, and given or shown to mothers by healthcare professionals.

We believe that informing healthcare professionals on the latest innovations in infant and young child nutrition – including the provision of products for professional evaluation where this is permitted – enables them to advise parents on making informed choices about the most suitable nutritional options for specific circumstances.

Reckitt pledges that we will not provide financial or material incentives to healthcare professionals to promote Infant Formula or Follow-On Formula.

Reckitt always seeks to play its role as a good corporate citizen in supporting efforts to manage and provide emergency and disaster relief.

We pledge, in Lower-Risk countries, the provision of Infant Formula will follow local legislation, and in Higher-Risk countries, the provision of Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula, will only be provided following the specific written request of a recognised government agency. We will not distribute products directly to impacted mothers and infants. We will work closely with the government or agency to ensure any products provided to infants are done so appropriately, taking into account safe and hygienic preparation and distribution. We will always ensure that, such products are clearly labelled as a donation and that they are not intended for commercial use or distribution.

Our Infant and Child Nutrition Pledge is built on transparency and trust.

Reckitt engages in knowledge sharing with stakeholders, seeking balanced and evidence-based dialogue with the aim of advancing health and well being of infants, children and mothers around the world.

We will be transparent in our positions and practices regarding support of breastfeeding and BMS marketing practices and will validate our commitments through independent internal and external verifications.

We will vigorously investigate any allegations of Reckitt breaching national laws or for failing to comply with this Pledge and our policies. These will be made public and will include details of corrective actions and timeframes for implementation.

We will work constructively with all stakeholders including policy makers and healthcare professionals to promote evidence-based, well informed policies that help families, infants and children receive the nutrition that is best for them.