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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

challenging illegal formula packaging - sorry if this has already been posted but this is from the CEO of the NCT

413 replies

harpsichordcuddler · 22/07/2007 21:44

"The NCT has been given a clear view from LACORS (the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services that some infant formula packaging currently on store shelves is illegal under current regulations.

In order for it to be removed from sale there needs to be a prosecution or threatened prosecution. Local Trading Standards Officers are the people who would bring a prosecution, but to do this they need to receive large numbers of complaints from across the UK.

Would you help? This is your chance to make a real difference.

Next time you are in a supermarket or chemist, check out the infant formula packs (this formula is labelled as ?suitable from birth?) and read the wording.

The wording we are informed is illegal is

? Formulated to be nutritionally close to breastmilk
? With omega 3 LCP,s
? Closer Than Ever to Breastmilk
? Inspired by breastmilk

You may find other wording which is similar.

Send photos or a description to your trading standards office (you can locate your nearest using this link)

Scotland www.scotss.org.uk/scotss2.htm

England www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/consumers/clegis.cfm

Wales www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/env_services/tradingstandards/

N Ireland www.detini.gov.uk/cgi-bin/get_builder_page?page=61&site=9&parent=110

Channel islands www.gov.je/EconomicDevelopment/TradingStandards/

With a note to say

?These packs were on display in my local xxxxxxx on date xxxxx and I believe them to be illegal under current legislation because of the wording on the packs.
Please note the words

[INSERT WORDING ON PACK]

My information is that this wording is likely to be illegal. Please would you follow this up for me and let me know the outcome. ?

They will do the rest. You don?t need to explain why you think it is illegal or comment any further ? just report it. The body from whom local TSOs take their lead has already advised us that this packaging is illegal. Your letter will push them to act."

OP posts:
VeniVidiVickiQV · 24/07/2007 13:05

Thanks Norah & Jo

Hunker - "Immunofortis" IS already patented.

One of the things on their website said something along the lines of

"We have worked hard to show that immunofortis blah blah blah"

Worked hard to show???? Must go find the exact quote.....

NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 13:23

I know, you loon

I said "immunofirtis" because that was WM's typo. And figured they'd probably patent it because it was as meaningless as immunofortis. WTF is immunofortis anyway? I understand the word root, but is it something they've added to the formula? Is it something in bmilk they've synthesised? Enquiring minds need to know!

Although I think I'm onto something with immunofartis... I might patent that myself

Thanks for all the nice posts, guys - needed that after the bf mafia/nazi/Norman bad guy stuff.

Aitch, I love you, you know. And I will one day post on your blog. Honest.

kamikayzed · 24/07/2007 13:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tiktok · 24/07/2007 13:29

It may well be the case that immunofortis is a beneficial addition to infant formula - I have read a handful of papers that indicate the addition of prebiotics seems to be a good thing. . A full study would check there were no ill effects in addition to the good effects. The New Zealand regulating body does not approve of prebiotics, as they are not satisfied all the safety checks have been done.

Quote from the NZ website: "Prebiotics have been associated with an increase in stool frequency as well as softer stools. This may increase faecal water losses and put some infants at risk of dehydration. Without a safety assessment, it is unknown if this is an issue for New Zealand babies and infants."

But lets say it's a good thing.

It should be unpatented and offered as an addition to every infant formula then, surely?

If the (independent) jury is still out (as it is, as we've seen, elsewhere) then mothers should be informed of this, too.

Then they can decide for themselves if they want to go with 'novel' ingredients (a technical term, not a judgement) or if they prefer to stick to something that's been used worldwide for 20 years or more.

In the meantime, formula packaging should restrict itself to claims which are legal and true.

tiktok · 24/07/2007 13:30

immunofortis is a patented prebiotic, BTW.

NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 13:35

Just goes to show they're all about the profit, Tiktok. Again.

Looks like they've added prebiotics so they can then say "softer stools, more like those of bfed babies" rather than because it's necessarily safe to do so.

It's all smoke and mirrors and no form research with formula companies, that's what I object to.

Malfoynomore · 24/07/2007 13:41

By:
Scoobyc on Mon 23-Jul-07 19:57:44
As an aside, I can't see why it is a bad thing that the omega 3 oils in formula come from fish eyes/heads or whatever - where do you think the omega 3 that a breastfeeding mother passes to her baby comes from?!

Well, lol, hopefully not from fish eyes or fishheads or something like that...hm.......I certainly never ate such things....lol....

hotcrumpet, sadly there is nothing stopping anyone to advertise follow on milk, which is, I believe why they actually invented that product, it's some sort of clause and that was the way out without going against a law....but it shows agressive marketing at it's best

On the point that they print breast is best on their packaging, it already has been mentioned that it's in tiny letters on the back and just because they have too, if they really would support the idea of breastfeeding being best for the Baby (rather then their interest in lining their pockets, no matter how it's achieved, i.e. wrong misleading advertising, pushing formula in poor countries without the hygienic conditions to a) pay for it, b) prepare it accordingly....and sadly in those countries advertising laws are not the same, just look at the philipines...how happily they mislead the people there...), they would print it in big letters, they would be interested to give real support to breastfeeding mothers, etc...

Desiderata, your ignorance is truely shocking....why did you not say: But I would not like my Child to ask for the breast or a breastfeed (not that as a opinion it would be less ignorant)....tit and be fucked got more effect...if anything, it makes you look even more ignorant....
I assume you do realise that actually bf is advised until they turn 3, i.e. throughout the whole year where they turned 2...not just 2 years....! There is nothing wrong with a walking talking child to ask for a breastfeed, there is everything wrong with the sort of attitude you are displaying....and sadly in our society your ignorant opinion to this seems to be in the majority....what does that say about our apparently so educated western society....(and no I never got to be a true extendet bf'er, the furthest I got was to 13month
....doesn't mean though that I can't support the idea)

Malfoynomore · 24/07/2007 13:43

(((Aitch)) sorry you have gotten upset....I got to 13 month wiht youngest ds when he weaned himself off, and I still miss breastfeeding...not enough to have more Baby's though, shudder...

FrannyandZooey · 24/07/2007 13:46

I am very proud that my ds can remember breastfeeding. We often talk about it and he tells me how good it was.

Breastfeeding a toddler is probably the most joyful part of being a mother that I have experienced yet. The fact that someone can dismiss that with the words "But I'll be fucked if I want my kid to ask for my tit" makes me feel disgusted. How can you say such things and then talk about respect for other people's feeding choices?

VeniVidiVickiQV · 24/07/2007 13:48

The quote I was looking for from Milupa-Aptimil

"Not all milks are the same - IMMUNOFORTIS

Aptamil has led the way in the understanding of breastmilk for over 50 years. That's why we've developed IMMUNOFORTIS, a patented mix of special prebiotics inspired by those found naturally in breastmilk. Intensive work has shown that the unique formulation of IMMUNOFORTIS helps to support your baby's natural immune system and makes Aptamil the best follow on milk for babies aged 6 months and beyond."

aptimil still claiming to be closest to breastmilk at the bottom but no mention of clinically proven on the UK website

This is from the "NUTRICIA INDONESIA" website. (A subsidiary of Milupa-Aptimil)

"What is IMMUNOFORTIS?
IMMUNOFORTIS are types of oligosaccharide prebiotics. Oligosacharide is the third biggest bio-component in breast milk after lactose and fat. IMMUNOFORTIS is functioned as the prebiotic or the food for good bacteria live in our intestine.

Adding IMMUNOFORTIS into infant milk formula is aimed to naturally increase the growth of good bacteria in the intestine so that it resemble the intestinal floral composition in breastfed babies. The benefit is enormous, it suppress the increase of bad bacteria that cause illness"

Its their bad grammer, not mine

"DUMEX SINGAPORE"

A little something I found on their website, promoting "IMMUNOFORTIS"

Look at this link saying Naturally Strengthen Baby's Immune System which then goes on to mention the man made.......

"IMMUNOFORTIS? - A clinically proven breakthrough in child nutrition
IMMUNOFORTIS? is developed by Numico Research. It is clinically proven in infant nutrition and a special prebiotic combination"

Further on, they then go on to talk about IQ in children......

"Q: Finally, in a nutshell, what?s your advice to parents who wish to raise smarter children?

A: Behavioral geneticists inform us that most cognitive abilities are roughly 50% heritable or, attributable to the genes we are born with. This leaves the other 50% to be influenced by envirnomentevery physical, sensory, social, and educational influence a child is exposed to from the moment of conception and it is here that parents, teachers, and doctors can help make a difference in children's future abilities.

Prenatal experience accounts for a surprisingly large proportion of the variance in intelligence in the population--perhaps 20% by some estimates. Preterm birth is a well-known risk factor for neurological problems and mental impairment. The more women can do to stay healthy during pregnancy, the better it is for their babies. The list includes: eating well; getting enough rest and exercise; avoiding severe stress, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs; minimizing legal drug use and exposure to other potentially harmful chemicals; and most importantly, avoiding infection.

After birth, one of the simplest ways mothers can help their children achieve a few extra IQ points is by choosing to breastfeed for the first year of life. Scientists have yet to elucidate exactly why breast milk is so advantageous for mental development, but it is known to contain dozens of factorsspecific nutrients, hormones, enzymes, and immune factorswhich are specifically beneficial to brain development.

Other factors in early childhood that are associated with greater cognitive achievement include: a healthy environment (especially, free from second-hand smoke, lead, and other heavy metals); loving, involved parents (and other caregivers) who talk, read, and sing to their babies a lot; exposure to a variety of sensory and social stimuli (but avoiding overstimulation); high-quality child care or nursery school; firm but fair discipline; and high expectations of mature behavior.

The key to raising a smarter, happier child is loving interaction from parents. Spend time together in positive ways, sharing an activity the child will enjoy. Most importantly, model the kind of responsible, intelligent, and moral behavior you want your child to emulate, since children learn most through the example we set, rather than the specific teaching we attempt."

FrannyandZooey · 24/07/2007 13:49

Immunofortis sounds like something out of Harry Potter.

"Oh Hermione, look, a sick baby, what can we do?"

"Step aside Harry - IMMUNOFORTIS"

harpsichordcuddler · 24/07/2007 13:51

come away franny s'not worf it love

OP posts:
harpsichordcuddler · 24/07/2007 13:51

lol at the HP spell

OP posts:
kiskidee · 24/07/2007 13:51

"But I'll be fucked if I want my kid to ask for my tit"

this sentence reminds me of a song or is it an advert:

I see your trruuuuuee colours shining....

nevermind all your other protests of supporting bf....

harpsichordcuddler · 24/07/2007 13:56

"Aptamil has led the way in the understanding of breastmilk for over 50 years. That's why we've developed IMMUNOFORTIS, a patented mix of special prebiotics inspired by those found naturally in breastmilk"

inspired ??

OP posts:
hatrickjacqueline · 24/07/2007 13:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 14:00

But they won't publish their research, I bet.

There's so much wrong with that you've pasted, VVV - I'm gobsmacked they're allowed to write such shite, really.

It's the formula companies who've muddied the waters wrt iron in breastmilk. This is similar, IMO.

They whacked loads of iron into formula, because "babies need it" and "there's barely ANY in breastmilk".

Er.

Doesn't anyone think that breastmilk has evolved to have just the right amount of easily-available-to-the-baby iron?

HVs will start talking about how bmilk "sadly doesn't contain immunofortis" and you "need to top up so that your baby doesn't die from a lack of friendly oligarchysaccharin" or whatever misunderstanding they'll choose to use.

Madness.

FrannyandZooey · 24/07/2007 14:00

I know HC, had to be something pretty bad to get me to enter into this kind of thread these days

Thanks for the info in the OP btw, very useful. I have complained before about (IMO) illegal formula advertising but had no idea that Trading Standards were the people to go to, nor which wording falls foul of the law.

NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 14:05

Have you seen this thread?

Something else for you all to do, without leaving your PCs

Go and do it now, please.

harpsichordcuddler · 24/07/2007 14:14

yes Franny I was thinking how unusual and of course delightful to see you round these parts.
thanks for calling, please call again soon

OP posts:
NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 15:01

Desi's not been back though...

VeniVidiVickiQV · 24/07/2007 15:58

LOL at Harry Potter spell

NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 16:18

She's around now though...

Malfoynomore · 24/07/2007 16:22

lol

NotReallyHereHunker · 24/07/2007 18:06

She's parped. No doubt I'll mention it as and when I see her about though.

Especially when she says things like "Don't judge others for their choices!".

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