Tanzania improves its Nutrition Regulations to suit WHO guidelines

DODOMA: THE Ministry of Health, in collaboration with various nutrition stakeholders, has reviewed the 2013 Nutrition Regulations to improve them to align with the new guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The revised regulations are national regulations to control the sale and distribution of infant and young child foods with the aim of protecting, strengthening, and promoting breastfeeding and proper nutrition of infants and young children.

This was stated in Dodoma by the Coordinator of Maternal and Child Nutrition, Elieth Rumanyika on behalf of the Assistant Director of Nutrition Services, Neema Joshua while opening a working session to adopt the National Regulations to Control the Sale and Distribution of Infant and Young Child Foods.

She stressed that the new regulations will help control the new challenge of the increase in the trade of milk and baby food that has gained momentum through digital means and social networks in the world and here in Tanzania.

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“The Ministry of Health has organized this important working session held here in Dodoma Region with the main objective of confirming and adopting the Regulations that have been reviewed (Review) in 2026. The improvements to these regulations will bring motivation and increase awareness to the community to consider proper nutrition to ensure the health and nutrition of the Tanzanian child is protected.” said Rumanyika.

For his part, the Quality Control Officer from the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Colleta Sarimbo said that the existence of improvements to these Regulations will help Tanzanians continue to obtain quality baby food products that comply with National and International quality standards.

She said TBS in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders will continue to ensure that the government’s goal of ensuring that Children and citizens remain safe by obtaining quality and safe food products for their health is successful for the welfare of the community and the Nation as a whole.