Email update 12 April 2017
NUK drops "clinically proven" bottle teat claim following complaint to ASA
Look What They're Doing in the UK 2017
We continue to add profiles of leading formula feeding bottle and teat manufacturers and retailers to our monitoring report.
The profiles of bottle and teat companies posted so far show how aggressive they are. Marketing of these products is not currently covered by UK law. |
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See the monitoring report page at:
http://www.babymilkaction.org/monitoringuk17
Many people complained to us about a Minbie video posted to their Facebook feeds that encourages mothers to introduce feeding bottles from birth. On its website, the company claims it "Nurtures a proper breastfeeding latch". We asked in the website chat box for the scientific studies that back the claims. Minbie replied that it is has none to share and is disappointed with the "need for evidence based practice".
The NUK profile documents advertising claims that the First Choice teat is "Clinically Proven" for "Combined Feeding". Adverts reference a study, but this does not support the claim. We complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The company behind NUK, called Mapa Spontex, agreed with the ASA to remove the study from future advertising and will no longer use the phrase “Clinically proven.”
Find further details of the NUK case and the response we received from the company's Managing Director, at:
http://www.babymilkaction.org/archives/12873
Independent, accurate information for mothers wanting to introduce feeding bottles is available from NHS Choices and not-for-profit mother support groups.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for news of when new profiles are added and action is taken by companies or enforcement officers.
Please do keep reporting cases of aggressive marketing to us - click here.
To help Baby Milk Action stop companies making false claims, please consider joining if you are not already a member, make a donation or visit our online Virtual Shop (links on the right).
Update on action in the UK Parliament and internationally
We told you last time that the UK Parliament was to debate better marketing regulations on 24 March in the context of Alison Thewliss's Feeding Products for Babies and Children (Advertising and Promotion) Bill.
The debate did not happen due to lack of time and the Bill will not progress. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Infant Feeding and Inequalities will reassess what to do in the next session of Parliament after the summer break.
In the meantime, Alison Thewliss MP, Chair of the APPG, announced an inquiry into Infant Feeding Services. Details here:
http://infantfeedingappg.co.uk/appg-inquiry-infant-feeding-services/
Internationally, Baby Milk Action's Policy Director, Patti Rundall, has been analysing and commenting on proposed new standards for follow-on milks and milks for older babies. Further details at:
http://www.babymilkaction.org/consultations
New management at Nestlé - IBFAN calls for change of direction at shareholder meeting
The Nestlé shareholder meeting on 6 April appointed a new board of directors under the Chairmanship of Paul Bulcke, formerly the Chief Executive Officer.
Mark Schneider was appointed as new CEO in January 2017.
Baby Milk Action/IBFAN-UK will be writing to the new administration on behalf of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) to ask it to accept IBFAN’s four-point plan to bring baby food marketing requirements into line with international standards, which would lead to the end of the long-running Nestlé boycott if the company met its obligations.
The need to change direction was also raised at the shareholder meeting by Camille Selleger, Human Rights Programme Officer, at Swiss-based IBFAN-GIFA. Ms Selleger appealed to Mr Schneider to market the company’s products in accordance with international marketing requirements. IBFAN is not calling for Nestlé to stop selling breastmilk substitutes, but to abide by the rules adopted by the UN World Health Assembly, to stop misleading families and to provide parents who do use formula with correct information on labels.
Find out more at:
http://www.babymilkaction.org/archives/12833
Baby Milk Action members AGM + nominations open for Julie Crawford Award for Breastfeeding Support
Baby Milk Action's AGM will take at the Signal Box in Cambridge on 13 May 2017 from 11:00 to 15:00.
Further details on the diary dates page.
Note, we changed the April date publicised last time as we were informed it clashed with school holiday's in one part of the country.
The event is open to all members. Join at:
http://www.babymilkaction.org/join
The AGM includes our official business, including election of our Board of Directors. This is followed by updates from staff on our campaigns and policy work. We will be presenting our Look What They're Doing in the UK monitoring report.
We will also announce the winner of this year's Julie Crawford Award. Nominations are open.
This Award is given by the Baby Feeding Law Group. It is open to practising health visitors and practising health visiting teams who have made significant contribution to – or have an ongoing impact on - breastfeeding support in the UK, at individual or policy level.
Nominees must have demonstrated an awareness and commitment to the protection and defence of breastfeeding, facilitating universal access for support that is independent of commercial influence.
To help publicise the call for nominations, please share the link with details of how to nominate:
http://www.babyfeedinglawgroup.org.uk/
bflg/juliecrawfordaward
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