Healthy Skepticism Library item: 11392

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: news

Formula code slammed
Pharmacy Daily (Australia) - registration required 2007 Sep 4
http://www.pharmacydaily.com.au

Full text:

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.