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Baby formula companies accused of ‘exploiting a legal loophole'

Baby formula companies accused of ‘exploiting a legal loophole'

Independent6 days ago
Liberal Democrat MP Jess Brown-Fuller is leading renewed calls for the government to address "exploitative" marketing by baby formula companies.
Companies are accused of inflating prices and making unfounded health claims, misleading parents into believing more expensive formula is nutritionally superior, despite all products being equivalent.
Firms have been accused of "exploiting a legal loophole" by advertising follow-on milk with packaging similar to unadvertisable newborn formula, and offering discounted products to hospitals, creating a false impression of NHS endorsement.
A Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) study found widespread issues, including misleading marketing and a 25 per cent price increase in formula over two years, burdening low-income families.
The CMA has proposed 11 recommendations to strengthen rules and inform parents, which the Department of Health and Social Care is currently considering.
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