Infant formula marketing code relaunched
Marketing codes for infant formula have been relaunched in a bid to get more companies signed up to the voluntary rules.
Marketing codes for infant formula have been relaunched in a bid to get more companies signed up to the voluntary rules.
Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has relaunched the code of practice for the marketing of infant formula with the Infant Nutrition Council.
She says more manufacturers are emerging who are not members of the council, which administers the code.
The government expects all infant formula manufacturers to meet the new standards put forward by the council.
Infant Nutrition Council chief executive Jan Carey says too many manufacturers are ignorant of the code.
“The relaunch is partly a rebranding exercise but also to let people know what our philosophy is now,” she told NBR Food Industry Week.
While new companies such as Biolife and Goldmax have signed up, Ms Carey says many newcomers do not know about it.
“I have talked to many companies but they are still settling into new business and all the challenges that brings.”
Ms Carey says membership fees are quite high as a small industry association but she hopes that will change.
“We’re in the process of doing strategic planning to give companies an opportunity to come into our organisation. We have a lot to offer them.”
Fernbaby was heavily criticised by the council for its sponsorship of the Warriors. It is not a member of the council.
The council encourages the promotion of breastfeeding first as part of World Health Organisation regulations. New Zealand has been a signatory to the WHO international code of marketing of breast-milk substitutes since 1983.
Victoria Young
Fri, 01 Mar 2013
Fri, 01 Mar 2013
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Infant formula marketing code relaunched
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