Decision looms on infant formula standard

A decision is looming over infant formula, with one company threatening to pack up and leave the country if the Government signs up to new standards.

The standards, developed by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand, would add new controls on what statements manufacturers could make about their products.

It would also remove specialist formula off supermarket shelves, to be only available in pharmacies or via direct source or healthcare professionals.

Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard needed to make a decision on whether New Zealand should opt in or out of the standards by Monday.

Infant formula was one of New Zealand’s most heavily regulated products. From wording to colour, every part of it must meet strict rules. However, the current standard was more than 20 years old.

“A review was necessary to ensure products remain safe and suitable, and regulations are fit for purpose and in line with international standards supporting industry innovation and trade,” a FSANZ spokesperson said.

“At the heart of the work, and in line with FSANZ objectives, was protecting public health and safety and making sure consumers have access to information to make informed choices.”

Under proposed trans-Tasman standards, perceived added benefits would no longer be able to be put on the front of tins — in line with an international code to restrict the promotion of formula and promote breastfeeding as best, where possible.

The proposed standards were more than 400 pages long, 11 years in the making, with 36 public reports released for comment, five consumer studies and 40 stakeholders workshops held.

Regulators said updating the existing 20-year-old standard was about making sure consumers had the right information to make an informed choice.

However, Jonathan Chew of the Infant Nutrition Council said there didn't appear to be the problem that needed to be solved.

“It would put us out of step with how international regulations, the Europeans for example, how they label formula.”

In a letter to the Prime Minister, dairy giant Danone, which uses the Aptamil and Karicare brands, expressed concerns about the proposal. It believed New Zealand’s export products would become unattractive and would make its operation in this country unviable.

That would put nearly 450 jobs in Auckland and Balclutha at risk.

Hoggard has been lobbied hard by the industry, with those opposed urging him to opt out of the standards. The food standards body said products would continue to be competitive because of the trust in New Zeland’s regulations.

Hoggard said there was some good in the changes but they threatened the commercial success of our products overseas.

The standards would also restrict specialist formula – usually for sick babies – to pharmacies or via healthcare professionals and direct source.

“It’s important for families to have access to formula, but some of the marketing practices that are currently routine in this country and elsewhere don’t necessarily support those families to make an informed choice,” neonatologist Gergely Toldi said.

“Parents have the opportunity to get expert advice on whether their baby does indeed have a specialist formula, or whether they need any further medical assessment,” Gergely said.

The Infant Nutrition Council, however, didn’t believe the products were being used inappropriately and “we don’t see how complicating access for parents who need these products is in any way helpful”, Chew said.

FSANZ said health and nutrition claims (including about ingredients) on infant formula products were not allowed under the existing standards and have been clarified in the review.

“Generic claims regarding provenance, type or quality of ingredients can continue to be made e.g. made with New Zealand milk; organic; made with high quality ingredients; nutritionally complete formula. Changes under the review support caregivers by consolidating nutrition information allowing comparisons across products and for caregivers to choose the product that is right for their infant. The changes do not restrict any critical information and the labelling regulations for infant formula products allow for products to be differentiated from each other using text, pictures and/or colour, while still allowing for core characteristics related to brand recognition.”

If NZ decided to opt out of the revised standard, the new regulations would apply only in Australia — and the existing regulations would remain in force here.