Marketing Regulations of Breastmilk Substitutes Guideline for Health Care Workers

DG of Health Services and Programmes

Executive Summary

The Omani Standard Specification for Marketing Regulations of Designated Products for Infants and Young Children (OSSDP) was developed by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion in collaboration with the Department of Nutrition within the Ministry of Health (MoH).

This specification has been mandated through a Oman Ministerial Decision No. 74/2021 and released on 20th of May 2021 from Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment promotion

The goal of the Omani standard is to protect breastfeeding by regulating the commercial promotion of breast-milk substitutes and its potential effects on mothers, infants, and young children.

Additionally, it seeks to promote the provision of suitable and safe nutrition for infants and young children while ensuring the appropriate usage of breast-milk substitutes (BMSs) when required.

The guideline is part of a broader effort to increase breastfeeding rates in Oman, reduce healthcare costs, and protect children’s health by limiting the negative impacts of BMS marketing.