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AIBU?

I know it's illegal but is it worth reporting?

122 replies

Itscurtainsforyou · 05/10/2017 22:44

Just seen a fb discussion about someone finding discounted "stage 1" baby formula at a supermarket. They reported it to the manager and told them it was against the law to discount baby formula. They said that the manager just returned the formula to the discount shelf.

There have been several comments about how this should be taken further and reported to various pro-breastfeeding groups/companies and the supermarket be boycotted.

I have no axe to grind re formula/breastfeeding, having done both. But my initial thought was that this response was a bit over the top - Aibu?

OP posts:

Report

Squirmy65ghyg · 05/10/2017 23:06

YANBU.

KarateKitten · 05/10/2017 23:09

Ridiculous.

dowsabel · 05/10/2017 23:10

It's illegal for a reason. She clearly felt strongly enough about it. Someone not so concerned about it could walk on by. I'd have done the same as your friend.

KarateKitten · 05/10/2017 23:11

Do you get why it's illegal to discount it?

GetOutOfMYGarden · 05/10/2017 23:11

I think the law is a very stupid one indeed, but they're within their rights to challenge it.

Mrsknackered · 05/10/2017 23:12

they need a hobby

WitchesHatRim · 05/10/2017 23:12

I would report it to trading standards.

Not sure why it should be reported to pro bf groups other than to stir up trouble.

Cat2014 · 05/10/2017 23:12

Yabu, if you know the reasoning it does make sense

Sallygroves · 05/10/2017 23:14

Why is it illegal to discount formula?

Seeingadistance · 05/10/2017 23:14

I didn't know it was against the law to discount formula. Why is that?

Sportsnight · 05/10/2017 23:14

Someone on our local Facebook selling page was touting their own homemade vegan alternative to formula for newborns this week. That, I could get furious about. This not so much,

SecretFreebirther · 05/10/2017 23:15

Report it to Baby Milk Action
It is illegal to imcentivise formula feeding

ErrolTheDragon · 05/10/2017 23:16

What is OTT is discussing it on FB. Virtue signalling with the possibility of upsetting women who for whatever reason can't BF - they should have just got on and reported it.

Itscurtainsforyou · 05/10/2017 23:16

My understanding (may be wrong) is that it's not to be discounted as it would discourage breastfeeding (if this is the reason I'm not sure I agree with it though).

OP posts:

KarateKitten · 05/10/2017 23:17

I disagree Cat. If you know the reasoning, an individual supermarket discounting is not really an issue. It's about manufacturer marketing and promotions more. The supermarkets are the knock on effect of the ban on promotions for manufacturers who have a lot to gain from promoting and advertising formula. Typically the reach of a supermarket is only in store so it's very isolated the damage they could do with a discount.

GetOutOfMYGarden · 05/10/2017 23:17

Seeingadistance it's an EU law, they think that offering discounts on formula will encourage BF mothers to move for formula.

IMO all it does is add financial stress to mums who were going to FF anyway. Subsidies on breast pumps would be a better move.

rightnowimpissed · 05/10/2017 23:19

I thought it was just illegal to discount it because mostly that is when the product is close to its sell by date, but I could be wrong.

Although if it was just because the store was not selling it and longer I think that would be ok as it’s a one off

KarateKitten · 05/10/2017 23:20

Itscurtains, so you agree with what these formula manufacturers did in Africa?

Blahblahblahhhhhhh · 05/10/2017 23:22

So the breast is best brigade get their way. I had to express and formula feed mine and was made to feel like a failure. The government don't want formula to be discounted as it promotes 'lazy mothering" breast is best yadayada we know but sometimes You can't do it. And are made to feel like a pariah for it.

KarateKitten · 05/10/2017 23:22

Getout, think about it more carefully. It's not the discount at the till, it's the advertising and promotion on mass media by manufacturers. Pricing strategy is just one small part of that but it's the part people notice with the rest all banned so you are not realising what the ban is actually based on.

MarklahMarklah · 05/10/2017 23:24

Bananas are cheaper than chocolate, but that doesn't mean people are going to eat them. I think it's a bit of an archaic law.

KarateKitten · 05/10/2017 23:25

Marklah, I think people don't realise the power of advertising. And your example...chocolate is heavily advertised, bananas are not so bananas will never win.

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Itscurtainsforyou · 05/10/2017 23:25

I completely disagree with what some of the manufacturers did in developing countries, I think it's abhorrent.

But I'm not sure that anyone in the U.K. (for example) would choose formula feeding over breastfeeding because they could get a small discount on a tub of formula. If it's just about money, then most people would breastfeed as it's pretty much free (aside from associated cost of breast pads, nursing bras etc).

OP posts:

MammaTJ · 05/10/2017 23:27

I could have done with this discounted formula when DD2 finally came out of hospital. In spite of pumping my boobs to death I could not squeeze any milk out of them, as the shock of her being taken from my breast, being taken to SCBU, then to a hospital 60 miles away without me, made my milk dry up. No amount of effort on my part could bring it back.

I was on Mat leave and skint.

YANBU to think the reaction was OTT!

KarateKitten · 05/10/2017 23:27

It'scurtains, again it's the advertising that's far more dangerous than the discounting. There are so many people who believe anything they see on tv etc without even realising it. Even one small campaign would rocket formula sales. THAT is what it's all about.

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