"Under the new measures, parents will be given clearer guidance on the nutritional standards, which need to be met by all formula sold in the UK, and encourage retailers to provide the same. The scheme is aimed at giving families confidence to choose cheaper options. Officials estimate those who cannot or choose not to breastfeed could save up to 500 a year."
"The price of infant formula has increased dramatically in recent years, with a standard tin costing between 12 and 15. Charities were concerned that lower income families were watering down formula or struggling to pay for other essentials because it was too expensive. Some retailers had previously highlighted that rules prohibiting the direct or indirect advertising of infant formula made it impossible for them to discount it, and were unsure if people could use loyalty schemes to buy their milk."
"Just three companies make up about 90% of the infant formula market: Danone, Kendal, and Nestle. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) looked at the sector earlier in the year, and recommended that it should be made much clearer to parents that all products on the shelves meet nutritional standards, so families were not pressured into buying higher cost brands for fear of making sure their baby got the best start."
Parents will be able to use gift vouchers and supermarket loyalty points to buy infant formula under a government plan to make baby milk more affordable. The measures include clearer guidance on the nutritional standards required for all formula sold in the UK and encouragement for retailers to provide compliant, lower-cost options. Officials estimate families who cannot or choose not to breastfeed could save up to 500 a year. Infant formula prices have risen dramatically, with standard tins costing between 12 and 15, prompting concerns that lower-income families have watered down formula or struggled to afford essentials. The market is concentrated among three major suppliers and the CMA recommended clearer messaging that all formulas meet standards so families can safely choose cheaper brands.
Read at www.bbc.com
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