The Ministry of Health Tanzania has intensified efforts to regulate the sale and distribution of foods for infants and young children, aiming to protect breastfeeding practices and improve child nutrition across the country.
The move comes as the government, in collaboration with nutrition stakeholders, advances the implementation of National Regulations governing the marketing and distribution of infant foods to ensure safe and appropriate feeding practices.
Speaking in Dodoma on April 16, 2026, Maternal and Child Nutrition Coordinator Elieth Rumanyika said the revised regulations are designed to safeguard children’s health, particularly during the critical early stages of growth.
She was representing Assistant Director of Nutrition Services Neema Joshua while opening a stakeholders’ workshop to validate and endorse the updated regulations.
Rumanyika said the ministry, working closely with the Tanzania Bureau of Standards, has reviewed the 2013 regulations to align them with updated global guidelines issued by the World Health Organization.
The review, she noted, comes at a time when the marketing of infant formula and baby foods is rapidly expanding through digital platforms and social media, raising concerns over compliance and consumer protection.
She said the updated 2026 regulations are expected to strengthen oversight, improve public awareness on proper child feeding, and ensure that Tanzanian children receive safe and nutritious food.
Meanwhile, TBS Quality Control Officer Colleta Sarimbo said the improved regulations will help guarantee that infant food products available in the market meet both national and international quality standards.
She added that TBS, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, will continue to enforce compliance to ensure that all food products consumed by children are safe.
The government’s renewed push underscores its commitment to improving child health and nutrition, amid growing concerns over the influence of aggressive marketing and the safety of infant food products in the digital age.
