Campaign group Baby Milk Action warns that reduced numbers of Trading Standards officers mean retailers can break marketing codes for breastmilk substitutes with little fear of sanction.
Sustain member Baby Milk Action reports that it is receiving many more complaints of retailers in the UK promoting infant formula in breach of marketing regulations, as two leading suppliers, Nestlé and Danone, step up their competition.
This comes as a survey reveals budgets for Trading Standards services in England and Wales have been slashed by over 40% since 2009. Trading Standards officers are responsible for enforcing the Infant Formula and Formula Regulations (2007) in England and Wales, as well as a raft of other regulations that protect consumers, but according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, staffing levels have fallen by approximately 53% since 2009.
Mike Brady, Campaigns and Networking Coordinator at Baby Milk Action, said: 'Trading Standards officers cover a lot of areas in protecting consumers from unscrupulous companies and need the resources to do so properly. Most mothers in the UK say they wanted to breastfeed for longer and stopping misinformation and aggressive marketing from formula companies is one of the measures required. We recommend people report breaches of formula marketing regulations to the authorities, but it sounds like they are overwhelmed.
'Once Parliament resumes we will work with any MPs prepared to oppose these cuts and fund enforcement services appropriately.'
Read more about the work of Baby Milk Action here.
Find out about Sustain's campaigns for a more sustainable food and farming system here.
Published Sunday 21 August 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
