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

[harpsichordcuddler]

"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."

ermm if it's not a substitute what is it? OK it's not as good, but it's still doing the same job (bit like if Beckham is substituted by a player from a lower division - they'd both still be playing football - naff sport that it is - although one wouldn't be as good as the other)

Can you imagine the impact on formula fed babies if one brand had to withdraw?

I can't stafrt bf my DS again so I would have to put him on another formula which would unsettle him.

Their claims aren't going to make women not bother with bf because it is clear on the packaging that it is not as good as breastmilk.

Exactly. While I don't agree with companies making misleading claims over their products - any products, not just formula, I think the NCT are failing to take into account how shite it will make women who ff feel when people are constantly harping on about the whole issue - it really does make breastfeeding seem 'the best option' but for some women, its not an option at all and the guilt, quite frankly, is getting too much for some people - you can see what they are posting on other threads.

This kind of thing isn't going to help, besides possibly causing panic buying of formula if people think its going to be taken off the shelves or causing a shortage if forumla is found to be in breach of regulations and taken off

um, actually formula is just that - a substitute to breast milk.

A fantastic invention - 3 cheers for formula!

IN order to prevent any possible formula shortages, the companies should have stuck with the guidelines which they negotiated and signed up to with the WHO and UNICEF in the International Code for the Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Then they never would be asked to comply.

I empathise with the concerns of ff mothers but they companies are the ones who have been the knobs in this 'game'.

Oh yes, my DS should be punished for their mistake. If it is the packaging, not the contents that are at fault, couldn't another solution be found

eg a hefty fine and having to put labels on the offending packages until new packaging can be produced (and a time limit to be given to do this. There are other options - you don't need to use a bulldozer to hammer the nail in

Nice to see the bf nazi's really do care about ALL babes

Yeah fine they may have been wrong but at the end of the day, doesn't change fact that there are millions of babies out there being fed formula - its going to be purchased regardless, why start something that could cause a shortage or problems?

Its the babies I'm thinking of here - its not as if whats in the formula is going to do them any harm - they need it if the mother is unable/chose not to breastfeed! I had to formula feed in the end, breasfeeding just wasn't working for me. Packaging didn't make any difference to me - I felt crap enough about it as it was!

I get the first three. Those are clearly illegal under the new guidelines. I don't get the problem with "inspired by breastmilk", because if that didn't inspire it, what did for heavens sake?!

Posted by Hunker

Stop scaremongering about withdrawing formula.

We just want formula companies to stop undermining women and making false claims.

Is that such a fucking disgrace?!

If they just put "infant formula" on the tin, I very much doubt you'll get people going "is this dog food then?"

fgs

Posted by Hunker

it is not a mistake dassie. It is advertising. these things are very carefully planned out, everytime.

Posted by Hunker

As for bf nazis - shit, was it my turn to man the ovens tonight? I forgot, sorry.

[if you can do poor taste, so the fuck can I]

breathe hunker, breathe.

what about 'inspired by profit'? nah, doesn't have the same ring to it.

Thinking about it, I'm pretty sure there won't be a shortage caused by this. Not a real one anyway. The companies will have taken advice on it, and I'm sure they do know exactly what they're doing. I stand by my previous post though.

I think it would be simpler if the law banned any reference to breastmilk, other than in the legal disclaimer.

You really think there will be a shortage?

You are kidding yourselves.

Nestle et al are currently responsible for the deaths of approximately 16,000 in the Philippines because of their "misleading" but "not rocket science" marketing.

You are simply lucky enough to be educated enough with enough information to hand that you can work these things out for yourself.

THey absolutely MUST Not be breaching regulations. There is no excuse (except that it helps to line their pockets). That really DOES NOT have your babies best interests at heart. If you think that you are foolish.

Formula shouldnt be the afforded commodity that it currently is. It should be cheap, with clear labelling about its contents, and no misleading marketing about what it does.

Well yes, Kiskidee, that could work I suppose . T'would be true

i'm not sure 'hydrolized udder milk with added fish oil and extracts of corn starch' would go down so well.

ANd your "Nazi's" comment is absolutely disgraceful too, on so many levels its actually quite astonishing.

Every other single food packaging on the shelves MUST comply with labelling legislation.

Why must, what as some of you state is a NECESSITY for some babies, escape this????

Why should a mum, who is already distraught at not having a choice, be faced with a pile of marketing SHITE when trying to pick "the best" alternative for their baby?

Why do you think this is okay???

I am really no going to get into an argument about this.
I am not rising to any vile and uncalled for insults about being a nazi.
the formula companies need to comply with the law.
it really is that simple.
if you really think there will be a mass withdrawal from the shelves you are all clearly bonkers
Trading Standards (presumably also Nazis ) are asking for complaints so they can prosecute or threaten to prosecute. because without such threats the formula companies will not, have not, won't complay with the law.
you apreciate this will take some time... several months.
the formula companies will then be able to change their packaging so it isn't illegal.
and put out new packaging that doesn't break the law.
er, that's it.
pmsl at some conspiracy to starve babies . the formula companies can change their packaging pretty quickly.like they do when they rebrand, like SMA did a few weeks ago.

Formula companies know what they're allowed to put on packaging. They are run by people who are fully aware of what they can and cannot say.

They choose to write things that they know break the Code.

But you watch how this will be spun in the media - it will be the "bf nazis" who are at fault here. And the BBC will wheel out Mrs Twitty who bangs on about how she bfed, but never in public and she doesn't understand how anybody can't plan their life better.

Crapping fucks, why are people so STUPID?!

Posted by Hunker

oh no hinker, it was your turn to take babies from their mothers and smash their heads against the wall to kill them.
and then handing the corpses back to their mothers.
oh no, I don't mind being compared to a nazi, not me. perfectly reasonable.

Oh, I've done that, so that's OK.

Must be my turn on the ovens tomorrow night then.

God, I'm stupid, yes it is.

I'll be believing formula packaging wording is there to help me next.

CHRIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Hunker

HUNKER get yourself a new posting name there's a love
how about genocidalgoosestepper
or
goebbelswithnorks

Can't, whole Hunker account is banned

Posted by Hunker