Formula makers criticised over nutrition info

WELLINGTON: A move by baby formula manufacturers to add more detail to their labels has met criticism from health experts who say the move is merely to drive up prices.

Manufacturers said adding nutritional information to labelling would allow parents to make better decisions.

Infant Nutrition Council chief executive Jan Carey said they were not allowed to put nutritional information on formula containers, though research showed parents wanted it.

‘‘One in three feel they receive insufficient information when they’re buying formula for the first time,’’ she said.

But Dr Nina Berry from the University of Sydney’s School of Medicine said claims the lack of information on formula containers was to promote breast feeding were wrong.

‘‘It’s actually about protecting formula feeding mothers from being exploited by companies who claim to be interested in providing mothers with the information they need to make informed choices,’’ she said.

‘‘But actually they’re only providing them with part of the information . . . They’re not providing them with a summary of the evidence about whether or not these ingredients actually provide benefit,’’ she said.

The composition of infant formula was regulated so all infants who used it got the nutrition they needed, Dr Berry said.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand is looking at overhauling its infant formula standards.