DH: Tighter controls on baby milk
The Department of Health and the Food Standards Agency have set out stricter controls on the promotion, labelling and composition of infant and follow-on formula.
New EU legislation, being implemented into law, will ensure that all types of formulae meet the nutritional needs of babies, without undermining breastfeeding by marketing and promoting such products.
However, not all mothers choose to or are able to breastfeed and these new regulations will enable them to make more informed feeding choices for their babies. The Government wants mothers to get information about infant feeding from health visitors and midwives to decide what is best for themselves and their children.
The new measures consist of:
- updated rules implementing advice from the European Scientific Committee for Food on the composition of all types of formulae
- tighter rules on labelling of all types of formulae
- tougher restrictions relating to the marketing and promotion of infant formula
- tough new rules on how follow-on formula can be advertised, making very clear that the product is for older babies.
- robust guidance for industry and enforcement authorities for correctly applying the new law.
The Government is committed to seeing that the new regulations deliver the best possible level of protection for babies. After a year, an independent review will check that they are working effectively and further action will be taken if needed.
The Food Standards Agency’s public consultation on the draft statutory guidance notes closed on 13 February and the final notes will be published as soon as possible.