Rules on advertising formula?

[Wigeon]

I have found the Code on advertising / promoting formula here and just wondering if the following situation is covered. I am on a market research mailing list, and there's a focus group just come up for formula, and the incentive for taking part is £20 plus two bottles of baby milk. This seems to fall under the part of the Code which says that companies must not give away free samples of their product. Is this right?

Yes, this breaks the WHO Code and the UK Law. You can check out the law at www.babyfeedinglawgroup.org.uk.

The Code is not law in the UK, but the Law is (obv :) )

Who on earth thinks this is an ethical way to do market research?

Thank you . Especially dodgy I think as the call for participants is asking for breastfeeding mothers to take part in this focus group. I have dropped the market research company a line.

Already heard back from the market research company (super quick!) - they say it was their mistake, apparently

"[focus group participants] have to make up 2 bottles they are not taking anything home (they are just looking to see how easy they are to make up) they will be thrown away afterwards."

So at least they are not giving away formula as an incentive to take part in this group. And I've educated myself on the International Code (I knew there was one, I'd just never looked at it).