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.