Latest news with #IMSAct
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amul's new liquid infant formula sparks backlash from activists for alleged IMS Act violation
Amul's recent launch of what it claimed to be 'India's first liquid infant formula' has triggered sharp criticism from public health activists , who have accused the dairy giant of violating the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act. The activists have filed a formal complaint with key government bodies, including the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Health , FSSAI, and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The IMS Act strictly prohibits the promotion of breastmilk substitutes for children under the age of two. Activists argue that the manner in which Amul's new product was launched and reported in the media amounts to a clear case of promotion — which is banned under Section 3(c) of the law. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets The coverage of the product highlighted its convenience, calling it 'ideal to carry' and 'good for working mothers'. Activists contend that this framing 'directly positions the product as a substitute for breastfeeding and this action as promotion.' They also pointed out that Amul's use of a teddy bear graphic on the label may be in breach of IMS Act provisions that ban 'pictures or other graphic material or phrases designed to increase the saleability of infant milk substitute or infant food.' Live Events In response, Amul issued a clarification on social media, saying: 'Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance of the IMS Act…' However, public health advocates remain unconvinced. 'Amul's actions constitute a clear case of promotion of an infant milk substitute — an act explicitly prohibited under Section 3(c) of the IMS Act,' they maintained. The complainants have called for an official enquiry into the launch and marketing of the product, the removal of the teddy bear graphic from the packaging, issuance of media guidelines for IMS-compliant reporting, and strict enforcement of the Act.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amul denies activists' charge that its ‘liquid instant formula' violates IMS Act
Representative image Activists argue Amul's promotion of the product highlighting its convenience for working mothers positions it as a breastfeeding substitute, which is prohibited. Amul has said that it's 'in complete compliance of the IMS Act' Amul's widely publicised launch of "India's first liquid infant formula" has outraged activists who have complained to the government that it is a violation of the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act. The Act prohibits the promotion of any breastmilk substitute meant for children below two years of age. The launch of Amul's liquid ready-to-feed infant milk substitute and its coverage in the media highlighted its convenience, particularly describing it as "ideal to carry" and "good for working mothers". "Such framing directly positions the product as a substitute for breastfeeding and this action as promotion," argued public health activists who have complained to the secretaries of the women and child development ministry, the health ministry, the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. In response to the objections, Amul tweeted: "Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance of the IMS Act...". Public health advocates argued that Amul's actions constitute a clear case of promotion of an infant milk substitute - an act explicitly prohibited under Section 3(c) of the IMS Act, which states: "No person shall... take part in the promotion of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles or infant foods". The law also prohibits having any pictures or other graphic material or phrases designed to increase the saleability of infant milk substitute or infant food. Amul's use of a teddy bear graphic on the product's label could be considered a breach of this provision, they stated. The complaint has demanded an enquiry into the launch and promotion of Amul's product, immediate removal of the graphic of a teddy bear from the product label, media guidelines for IMS-compliant reporting and strong enforcement of the IMS Act.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Amul's 'liquid infant formula' violates IMS Act: Activists to govt
Representative image Amul's widely publicised launch of "India's first liquid infant formula" has outraged activists who have complained to the govt that it is a violation of the Infant Milk Substitutes (IMS) Act. The Act prohibits the promotion of any breastmilk substitute meant for children below two years of age. The launch of Amul's liquid ready-to-feed infant milk substitute and its coverage in the media highlighted its convenience, particularly describing it as "ideal to carry" and "good for working mothers". "Such framing directly positions the product as a substitute for breastfeeding and this action as promotion," argued public health activists who have complained to the secretaries of the women and child development ministry, the health ministry, the CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), and chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. In response to the objections, Amul tweeted: "Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance of the IMS Act...". Public health advocates argued that Amul's actions constitute a clear case of promotion of an infant milk substitute - an act explicitly prohibited under Section 3(c) of the IMS Act, which states: "No person shall... take part in the promotion of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles or infant foods". The law also prohibits having any pictures or other graphic material or phrases designed to increase the saleability of infant milk substitute or infant food. Amul's use of a teddy bear graphic on the product's label could be considered a breach of this provision, they stated. The complaint has demanded an enquiry into the launch and promotion of Amul's product, immediate removal of the graphic of a teddy bear from the product label, media guidelines for IMS-compliant reporting and strong enforcement of the IMS Act.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Complaint filed against Amul for promoting its new infant formula; BPNI claims it violates IMS Act
Amul responds Amul responded to the BBNI's claims and said that the company 'remains committed to all the guidelines of BPNI'. 'Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance with the IMS Act. The link mentioned by you in your post is not active. We remain committed to all the guidelines of BPNI regarding promotion of infant food in India,' Amul's customer care stated on X.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Complaint filed against Amul for ‘promoting' its newly launched ‘Infant Formula', violates ‘IMS Act' says BPNI
The Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI), an organisation working to "protect, promote and support breastfeeding practices, has filed a complaint with the Union government against Amul for allegedly promoting its newly launched liquid ready-to-feed infant formula, which is listed on their website. It said the diary giant violated Infant Milk Substitutes, 1992. Dr. Arun Gupta, MD, FIAP (Ped), coordinator at BPNI took to X to flag it, stating, 'BPNI makes a formal complaint to concerned authorities requesting for actions to protect children's health @MoHFW_INDIA @fssaiindia @NCPCR_ @MinistryWCD. Violations of IMS Act undermine breastfeeding. This time its @Amul_Coop.' He further questioned, 'Why it is so difficult to abide by the law?' In a complaint to Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Child Development, FSSAI, NCPCR, for a quicker action and compliance, the BPNI stated, 'The promotion of infant formula by @Amul_Coop, as reported is in direct contravention of Section 9 of the IMS Act, 1992, which prohibits all forms of advertising and promotion of infant milk substitutes. The use of a teddy bear image further violates Section 6(2) of the Act.' The first page of the complaint filed by BPNI (Image: @moveribfan/X) It cited Section 2(g) of the IMS Act which defines "infant milk substitute" as any food marketed or represented as a replacement for mother's milk for infants up to two years of age, Section 2(i) that defines promotion as encouraging any person to purchase or use an infant milk substitute and Section 6 prohibiting the use of graphics or phrases that enhance the saleability of infant milk substitutes. It further alleges that Amul issued a press release about its 'India's first liquid ready-to-feed infant formula', promoting it as 'ideal to carry' and 'good for working mothers,' which BPNI claims is promotional in nature, adding Amul allegedly used a teddy bear image in its product label, which BPNI says is not a neutral symbol and is used to emotionally appeal and increase saleability, violating Section 6(2) of the Act. The second page of the complaint filed by BPNI. (Image: @moveribfan/X) Calling for a 'thorough investigation' into the alleged violation and "cognisable offence", the BPNI has asked to cease all promotional activities related to infant milk substitutes, withdraw the teddy bear graphic from the label, set up a monitoring mechanism for IMS Act compliance and advise media outlets to vet press releases for legal compliance before publication. 'Amulspray is one of India's oldest and most trusted infant milk food brands and is in complete compliance of the IMS Act. The link mentioned by you in your post is not active. We remain committed to all the guidelines of BPNI regarding promotion of infant food in India,' Amul's customer care stated on X.
