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Reaction from BFLG members to the UK Government formula regulations

Press Release 21 November 2007 (this document will be updated)

The UK Government has today announced that it is introducing what it describes as: Tighter controls on baby milk

Having learned that the recommendations from the BFLG submitted to the Food Standards Agency consultation have not been incorporated in the regulations, various BFLG members and partners have given the follow responses:

Mike Brady, coordinator of the Baby Feeding Law Group monitoring project, said:

"As the recommendations of the BFLG and Breastfeeding Manifesto coalition appear not to have been taken on board, we will continue to press for the regulations to be brought into line with international standards to protect breastfeeding and to protect babies fed on formula."

Patti Rundall OBE, Policy Director at Baby Milk Action, said in a Baby Milk Action press release available at:
http://www.babymilkaction.org/press/press21nov07.html

“The response to the consultation issued today by the Government clearly show that it has bowed to industry pressure. It has failed to heed the evidence-based advice of all the leading health professional and lay bodies, who met Dawn Primarolo today. The regulations are an inadequate and will continue to put UK mothers and babies health at risk in favour of the interests of the formula milk industries."

“Despite its strong support for the international Code in international arenas, the UK’s record on implementing it is so partial as to be largely ineffective leaving the UK breastfeeding rates almost the lowest in Europe . 17 members of the Baby Feeding Law Group (BFLG) and the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition (BMC) were pleased to meet the Minister this morning, but were disappointed to hear the confused and complicated strategy presented.”

Anna Burbidge, Chair, Council of Directors, La Leche League GB, said:

"La Leche League believes women should be able to make informed choices on the way they feed their babies, based on accurate and unbiased information. While we welcome the increased regulations on product labelling, we are disappointed with the decision not to fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Subsitutes. We will continue to support the Baby Feeding Law Group to press for regulations to protect both breastfeeding and babies fed on formula."

Frances Day-Stirk, of the Royal College of Midwives, said:

"We are calling for a complete ban on promotion of breast-milk substitutes, so it is a little disappointing that this has not been implemented."

Alison Baum, spokesperson for the Breastfeeding Manifesto coalition of 39 organisations, which endorsed the BFLG submission said:

"We are very disappointed with the government's decision not to fully implement the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions of the World Health Assembly. The 39 organisations of the coalition will continue to work collaboratively until the government puts the health of children in the UK before the interests of the formula industry."