In 2015, more than one million migrants and refugees arrived in Europe. Commercial complementary foods, processed foods marketed for infants and young children 6-23 months of age, were distributed by various humanitarian actors along migrant routes and in European refugee camps. Unsolicited donations and distributions of commercial complementary food products were problematic and divergent from international policies on infant and young child feeding during humanitarian emergencies. Interim guidance regarding commercial complementary foods was published during the peak of the emergency but implemented differently by various humanitarian actors. Clearer and more technical specifications on commercial complementary foods are needed in order to objectively determine their suitability for operational contexts in Europe and emergency nutrition assistance in the future. © International Lactation Consultant Association.

International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes exclusive breastfeeding disasters Complementary feeding breastfeeding

Nutrition Policy emergency nutritional requirement Nutritional Requirements refugee health care policy Europe human statistics and numerical data Internationality complementary feeding Food Supply international cooperation marketing breast milk consensus development disaster procedures catering service Breast Feeding Humans Infant, Newborn Infant newborn standards legislation and jurisprudence migration milk substitute disaster planning baby food Infant Food Health Policy Transients and Migrants Child