Abstract
Despite the wealth of evidence about the benefits of breastfeeding, the commercial milk formula (CMF) industry continues to grow and project future profits, fuelled by aggressive and pervasive marketing practices that include the targeting of health care professionals. When health professionals and their associations accept funding from the CMF industry, this creates a conflict of interest (COI). The World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) have therefore issued clear unequivocal guidance including through World Health Assembly resolutions that health care institutions and professional associations should refuse sponsorship from the CMF industry. We urge health professionals in South Africa to heed this call to protect their professional integrity and ensure that care and support for pregnant and breastfeeding women, children and families is free from commercial influence.