Reports

On 23 July 2024, the following Editorial was published in Clinical and Experimental Allergy authored by Dr Vicky Sibson and Susan Westland of First Steps Nutrition Trust:

Sibson VL & Westland S. 2024. Specialised Infant Formulas: Overused, Overpriced and Obesogenic. Clinical and Experimental Allergy. 54:452–454 https://doi.org/10.1111/cea.14532 This timely editorial was informed by, and builds upon the findings of our December 2022 report ‘Infant milks marketed as foods for special medical purposes (FSMP): The case for regulatory reform to protect infant health’.


 
 

Infant milks marketed as foods for special medical purposes (FSMP): The case for regulatory reform to protect infant health

December 2022

This report sets out the case for the strengthening of UK laws on infant milks marketed as foods for special medical purposes (iFSMP). It outlines the serious issues arising from shortcomings in the current law and its poor enforcement, and the exploitation and misuse of this regulatory category by commercial milk formula companies. The inappropriate marketing of iFSMP undermines breastfeeding and threatens infant health. We explain why, without independent expert monitoring of company compliance with the law, these issues and these threats will not be addressed. We recommend that the law as it stands be enforced and that the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and all subsequent World Health Assembly resolutions be incorporated into UK law.

 

 

Guidance

 
 

The following BFLG documents all provide guidance on how to work within the Code and protect breastfeeding and formula fed babies from the commercial influence of the BMS industry

 

Briefing document to clarify misconceptions about the UK law on the marketing of infant formula

The UK law on the marketing of (infant) formula

January 2024

This new briefing document has been produced to clarify the intention of the current UK law on the marketing of infant formula, highlight and summarise relevant provisions, and to dispel recent misinterpretations of the law observed in the media.

 

BFLG-UK Position Statement:

The marketing of commercial milk formulas

November 2023

The BFLG-UK has prepared a position statement about legal restrictions on the marketing of commercial milk formulas in the context of the cost-of-living crisis in the UK.

 

BFLG-UK Position Statement:

Iceland special sales on commercial milk formulas

August 2023

The BFLG-UK has prepared a position statement about Iceland special sales on commercial milk formula in the UK.

 

Guide for Local Authorities and Health Boards:

Supporting families with infants under 12 months experiencing food insecurity.

October 2022

This new guidance document has been produced by the UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative, First Steps Nutrition Trust and the National Infant Feeding Network (NIFN).

(This replaces BFLG guidance on formula in food banks.)

 

 Avoiding conflict of interest:

Organisations funded by the breastmilk substitute industry

April 2022

This document outlines some of the organisations and websites that provide information on infant feeding to the public and health professionals, which are funded by or work in partnership with breastmilk substitute companies. It also lists sources of independent information on food and nutrition for infants and young children.

 
  • Danone Nutricia - Why do they want to be your partner?

    March 2021

  • Nestle – Why do they want to be your partner?

    March 2021

Further guidance for health professionals:

  • Working within the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes: A guide for dietitians
    2020

    This resource explains how dietitians can reflect on their practice to ensure that they can protect themselves from conflict of interest and ensure that they do not undermine breastfeeding through supporting the inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitutes. We would like to thank Bahar Ghodsian RD for putting this resource together.

 

 Consultation responses

 
 

 Letters