Crackdown on infant formula push

The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has passed a bill that will control marketing promotions of food for infants and toddlers amid praise from health activists.

A total of 183 NLA members voted unanimously to enact the law which would ban manufacturers, importers and distributors of formula milk products from giving out free samples and discount coupons and from contacting pregnant women or their families to promote or give advice about the products.

The bill also deals with labelling regulations, requiring manufacturers, importers and distributors to use clear-cut labels which help consumers to identify which products are for infants and which are for toddlers.

Those who violate the advertisement regulations are subject to a fine of 300,000 baht while those who violate the labelling regulations are subject to one-year imprisonment, a fine of 100,000 baht, or both, plus a daily fine of 10,000 baht until they comply with the law.

The draft law was introduced after Thailand ratified the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Assembly (WHA) which urged its members to improve the regulations involving the products.

Siripattana Sirithanarattakul, a pediatrist and advocate of breastfeeding, yesterday welcomed the passage of the bill, saying it would better promote breastfeeding.

“This bill will help guarantee the infants and toddlers will be protected, especially the ban on free samples and discount coupons. When the mothers use the free samples to feed their children, the young will stop taking breast milk,” she said.

Dr Siripattana also said civic groups advocating breastfeeding are satisfied with the bill even though it does not have all elements they demand.

She said the groups will be keeping a close watch on the industry. “And we’ll be watching the manufacturers for signs of violations,” she said.

Dr Siriwat Thiptaradol, adviser of the Breastfeeding Centre Foundation, said he is satisfied because key elements in the bill which will protect children from the excesses of the advertising industry remain intact.

He said the Public Health Ministry would issue announcements in compliance with the bill while the Food and Drug Administration will have to sit down and talk with those involved to ensure they are aware of the new rules.