A Scottish National party MP has received unanimous Commons backing for new legislation to curb “misleading and scientifically questionable claims” in the marketing of formula milk for babies.
Alison Thewliss introduced her proposal, which has cross-party support, via the 10-minute rule in the House of Commons on Wednesday. After gaining parliamentary approval with no opposition, she can now bring a draft bill for legislation governing the marketing of replacement breast milk products into line with World Health Organisation policy for a second reading before parliament in February.
Although the WHO introduced an international marketing code more than 30 years ago to prevent aggressive practices in formula milk promotion, the UK has never fully implemented it.
Thewliss, MP for Glasgow Central, said legislation was needed to tackle a legal loophole that allows “scientifically questionable” claims about the health benefits of formula milk to be printed in reputable medical and nursing journals.
Thewliss said: “I believe it is vitally important that parents get accurate information on the contents of formula milk and the best way to prepare it safely. At present there is a worrying lack of independent scrutiny of infant and young child formula, as well as growing frustration about the industry marketing tricks and misleading claims being pushed on parents and health professionals alike.”
The move, which is backed by the chair of the Commons health select committee, the Conservative Dr Sarah Wollaston, has also drawn support from midwives.
Gillian Smith, director of the Royal College of Midwives Scotland, said that, as an MP for a city centre constituency where breastfeeding rates were low and health outcomes poor, Thewliss was to be congratulated.
Smith added that the UK as a whole continued to have higher rates of formula feeding than many other European countries. “I do think adverts for follow-on milk do influence mothers. We are not bad at initiating breastfeeding, but not so good at sustaining it, and there is a significant drop-off by six months,” she said.
While the benefits of breastfeeding in protecting infants from infection and diseases have been shown in countless clinical trials, there are still many instances when formula milk may often be safer or help to resolve nutrient deficiencies.
Thewliss insisted she came to the debate “with absolutely no judgment or attempt to tell other parents how to feed their children”.
She said: “I understand there is a genuine and sincere requirement for infant formula milk for mothers who can’t or indeed don’t wish to breastfeed, and any number of circumstances which lead parents and carers to choose formula.”
