WEIGH IN:
According to Reuters, China’s lawmakers are creating a motion to ban all formula advertisements. The new law proposes to disallow all ads that “claim to partly or completely substitute mother’s milk shall be banned from mass media or public venues.” Anyone who violates this law will be heavily fined.
China’s laws on food safety for infant formula are greatly lacking. Many cases of illness and even death are reported each year from contaminated formula. Citizens of China often wonder if the formula they are purchasing is a safe means to nourish their babies. Meanwhile, ad campaigns push women in the hospitals to use formula. The result of which are strained or nonexistent breastfeeding relationships.
The same committee is also aiming to tighten ad restrictions on tobacco and increase product safety management of formula.
Setting a ban on infant formula could set in incredible president for other countries. It is important to understand that while infant formula has it place in the world, breast milk is superior for most infants in nutrition. The main concern is helping the public understand, that while infant formula is good alternative, it is not better or superior to mother’s milk.
The United States has surprisingly low breastfeeding rates. Setting a ban on infant formula advertising could also be beneficial in raising the breastfeeding rates among american mothers. Currently formula companies are not allowed to advertise in hospitals where mothers will give birth. Companies have gotten around these types of bans by offering “free samples” of formula to hospitals for new mothers. Formula, when introduced early during a breastfeeding relationship can cause supply issues with the mother, as well as nipple and flow confusion for babies. Supplementation does wonders for babies who can not gain weight, but should not be used in normal healthy circumstances.