Campaigners have voiced opposition to proposed changes to the law that would ease restrictions on the sale of infant formula, saying it would not reduce prices for families in need and instead give freedom to leading brands. He claimed that.
Iceland's head of state, Richard Walker, has written to MPs proposing amendments to the competition bill currently going through Parliament, which would include in-store advertising, free samples, discount promotions and restrictions on the sale of products. The proposal would eliminate the ban on “all other promotional activities that induce infant formula”.
The ban was introduced to avoid discouraging breastfeeding. Walker said that while breast milk “is always best for babies”, regulations “make it harder for families to access more affordable formula”.
The competition watchdog will make recommendations this summer on how to tackle profiteering in the infant formula market after an initial investigation last year found prices had risen 25% in two years.
The Competition and Markets Authority says parents can save up to £500 a year by switching brands, but they are discouraged from switching brands while competition is hampered as there is only one own-brand alternative, discount chain Aldi. I found that I was reluctant to do so.
The CMA said families may be buying more formula than they need because manufacturers' feeding guidelines are “systematically higher” than those recommended by the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition.
Mr Walker and other campaigners are calling on the government to introduce measures such as price caps to curb profiteering on baby milk.
Alison Thewlis, leader of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Infant Nutrition, said Mr Walker's proposals would allow milk powder manufacturers to spend more on marketing, increasing the cost and price of their products.
Brands get around the restrictions on advertising infant formula by promoting “growing-up” milk, a type of formula aimed at infants who don't need special drinks to stay healthy. She said Mr Walker's plan “played into the hands of the baby formula companies, and I don't see how that would cut costs for the people working the cash registers.” The UK government should ask companies directly about how much they are paying for products that are absolutely essential to many people. ”
Dr Vicky Sibson, director of the infant health charity First Step Nutrition Trust (FSNT), said Mr Walker's proposals would “not make any difference to struggling families” and would reduce the risk of a reduction in income for low-income families. said it could lead to the sale of unnecessary products.
She added, “These laws regarding the sale of infant formula exist to protect all babies, no matter how they are fed. Weakening these laws will have an impact on the health of babies.” There is a risk of giving.”
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Mr Sibson said allowing people to use loyalty scheme points or vouchers to buy formula would not help low-income households, who are most affected by high prices. tin.
FSNT is calling for a public health campaign to emphasize that the content of all infant formulas, regardless of price or brand, is strictly regulated to ensure nutritional equivalence.
Professor Amy Brown, from Swansea University, who studies infant formula marketing, said the easiest way to reduce the price of infant formula is for brands to cut their profits.
“They're making huge profits and that needs to change,” she says. “rule [on marketing] They have a reason, and that's because they don't play well.they use [free samples and discounts] It attracts people and persuades them to buy more expensive products. ”
