Breast still best

Posted by Andrew Wadge on November 26th 2007 in Science, safety and health

Last week the Agency and Department of Health set out changes to the law which relate to the promotion, labelling and composition of baby milk.

The new law will ensure that mothers are not discouraged from breastfeeding as a result of the promotion and advertising of infant formula.

In an ideal world, every baby would be breastfed as this provides many important health benefits to both mother and baby. Many people have strong views on this but we must recognise and understand that although breast most certainly is best, there are some mothers who can’t or choose not to feed their babies in this way.

And that is why this new legislation is important. It makes sure that new mothers have enough information about feeding their baby – allowing them to make an informed decision, but also allows choice and proper protection for babies that are bottle fed.

Got any comments? Have your say on the blog.

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Lack of protection for mothers who use formula

Posted by Mike Brady (not verified) on 20/03/2008 - 14:06

Dear Dr. Wadge,

You say: "However, we also recognise that not all mothers choose to or are able to breastfeed and these new regulations are vital to ensure protection for bottle-fed babies and enable mothers to make more informed decisions about feeding choices for their babies."

But the new regulations do not protect a mother's right to receive accurate, independent information on infant feeding. Materials and advertising from formula companies are promotional and idealizing and, with all companies suggesting their formula is better than competitors, provides no basis for making an informed decision on which formula to use.

Companies are also failing to warn on labels that powdered formula is not sterile and the simple steps required to reduce the risks of possible harmful contamination. This information is provided on the FSA website, but there is no legal requirement for companies to bring their instructions into line. I have monitored company telephone 'carelines' myself and found advisors directly contradicting the FSA advice that powder should be re-constituted with water above 70 deg. C to kill any bacteria such as Enterobacter Sakazakii and Salmonella.

I hope the poor information companies provide to mothers who use formula will be evaluated in the forthcoming review and that consideration will be given to protecting their right to receive independent, accurate information, as health experts recommended to the consultation.

Promoting breastfeeding

Posted by Andrew Wadge on 18/03/2008 - 16:27

The Government is committed to encouraging breastfeeding because of the health benefits to both mothers and babies. So these new controls require further restrictions on the advertising of all formula milk so that it does not undermine breastfeeding. However, we also recognise that not all mothers choose to or are able to breastfeed and these new regulations are vital to ensure protection for bottle-fed babies and enable mothers to make more informed decisions about feeding choices for their babies.

Andrew, you wrote:"[The new

Posted by Rob (not verified) on 10/03/2008 - 13:49

Andrew, you wrote:
"[The new legislation] makes sure that new mothers have enough information about feeding their baby – allowing them to make an informed decision"

But some members of the public have spoken in favour of formula advertising because they considered that such adverts were a source of information.

Do you agree that the Government's position needs to be sufficiently strong and robust because of the immense competition from the formula industry's marketing machine?

But expert advice was ignored...

Posted by Mike Brady (not verified) on 06/03/2008 - 11:13

The government was asked to implement the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly, but unfortunately felt constrained by the European Union and its focus on maximising trade.

The World Health Assembly measures aim to protect breastfeeding AND to ensure breastmilk substitutes are used safely if necessary.

The law falls far short. The industry called for minimal changes to the previous regulations and got their way. Recommendations from health experts were rejected. The Baby Feeding Law Group, a coalition of 22 health worker and mother support groups set out the necessary changes during the consultation. The government's own Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition and LACORS (the umbrella body for Trading Standards officers, responsible for enforcing the law) called for stronger and clearer provisions.

The good news is that the government has promised to review the law during its first 12 months and to strengthen it if necessary.

The Baby Feeding Law Group monitors company practices and will be submitting evidence to the review. For further information and the the BFLG report: "Protecing breastfeeding - Protecting babies fed on formula" see: http://www.babyfeedinglawgroup.org.uk/