Formula code slammed by parliamentary committee

[Jennifer13]

Formula code slammed

A FEDERAL parliamentary
committee has blasted the current
voluntary code governing the
advertising of infant formulas in
Australia, instead recommending
the full adoption of World Health
Organisation guidelines.
The recently tabled report
expressed concern about the
formula marketing practices of
pharmacies and supermarkets,
and also criticised the use of
health professionals as “surrogate
marketers” via distribution of free
sample packs to new mothers.
Also of concern was the rise in
promotion of so-called “toddler
milks” in similar packaging and
sizes to infant formulas.
The committee said the govt
should be “doing more to protect
breastfeeding,” and urged the
introduction of legislation or a
mandatory industry code on
promotion of infant formulas, in
order to achieve the goal of 80%
of mothers breastfeeding
exclusively for the first six
months of their baby’s life.

Pharmacy Daily

Someone else might have read the report in more detail, but thought this was worth noting.

[Jennifer13]

Okay I found the report (from 9 August on the aph website - aust parl house).

These may interest ppl:

The most recent data on rates of infant formula use is from the
National Health Survey in 2001. This data showed that there was an
increase in formula and solids use from 1995 to 2001 in infants three
months or less in age.

(from about 14% receiving formula in 1995 to 23% in 2005, and from about 4% receiving solids in 1995 to 6% in 2005.)

Great, Australia is going backwards.

Significant evidence was provided to the committee that
demonstrated infant formula manufacturers in Australia advertise
their products in a manner which would clearly breach the WHO
Code.

As an example, the committee is quite concerned by the practice of
manufacturers using health professionals as surrogate marketers of
their products via distribution of free infant formula sample packs to
new mothers.

I guess we can only hope that the govt sees fit to implement the committee's recommendation on this:

Recommendation 22
8.44 That the Department of Health and Ageing adopt the World Health
Organisation’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk
Substitutes and subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions.

I am so cross that in Australia we are going backwards in the care of our mothers and children for the sake of a handful of manufacturing companies.

[MantaRay]

I agree with you Jennifer. At least the recommendations from the parliamentary inquiry were positive, so hopefully now we will at least see some difference. And as I always say, we all do our bit whenever we bf in public, or talk openly about extended bfing. If just one person changes their mind or becomes more used to the idea of bfing from seeing me then it has made a difference.

[MantaRay]

Interesting thought Shannon. And then of course there is the dairy industry. As most formulas are cows' milk based, they will be making more money from ff - not to mention all of the bfing mums who are on a dairy free diet due to dairy allergies or intolerances in bubs.

[Jennifer13]

Unfortunately you'll probably find pharmaceutical companies will make more money in the long run from not having babies breastfed as they get older and potentially have more health problems. Altho I don't think they've joined with formula manufacturers - I'm not quite that cynical (yet)!

[Phoenix]

Altho I don't think they've joined with formula manufacturers

Do you mean you don't think the formula companies and pharmaceutical companies have joined? Not sure if that's what you meant but most formula companies are in fact pharmaceutical companies- they win both ways.
A am glad the committee made these recommendations- lets hope they get implemented before the election or they may be forgotten.
I can't remember where it is- perhaps Kelly knows but there is a book/article about how if breastmilk was put on some registry in national income it would actually make the country money but because it can't be bought at the corner store so to speak it isn't counted. it comes under some technical term- a money expert would know. I'll try and remember where I read it. Maybe Breastfeeding Matters by MM???