What is meant by information material?
“Information material” refers to any material distributed in any format that addresses the feeding, nutrition, or eating habits of infants or young children, such as:
- websites,
- brochures and guides (in electronic or printed form),
- blog posts, videos, and other audiovisual materials.
“Commercial information material” means material that is funded, either wholly or partly, by industry or trade. Food information required under food legislation does not constitute information material within the meaning of the Decree.
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) carries out prior approval of commercial information material concerning infant feeding. THL also maintains a public register of approved information materials. Further information and instructions for applying for prior approval are available on the THL website.
Websites maintained by companies, organisations, or other operators may constitute information material within the meaning of this Decree if they provide information on the feeding, nutrition, or eating habits of infants or young children. In such cases, the content of the website is subject to the requirements of the Decree, regardless of the format in which the information is presented.
Food business operators must ensure that information materials concerning infant or young child feeding and nutrition have obtained any required approvals before publication and that the content complies with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Decree (633/2024).
Content and Distribution of Information Materials
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Decree lays down requirements for the content of information materials. Information materials must support the healthy growth of the child and early parent-child interaction, and their content must be limited to scientific and factual information. Information materials concerning infant feeding must include information on the benefits of breastfeeding. The content of information materials must not be inconsistent with, for example, national nutrition recommendations.
Information materials must not contain product information or links to product websites.
The Decree also places restrictions on the distribution of certain materials. Commercial information materials concerning infant formula, follow-on formula, or foods for special medical purposes intended for infants may be distributed only through the healthcare system and only to persons who are considered to need such information on the basis of an assessment by a healthcare professional.
In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health Decree prohibits the donation and the sale at reduced prices of follow-on formula products.