Why can’t you donate formula?

[Jcat28]

A friend has been trying to donate unopened baby formula and realised no-where will accept it. This seems pretty crazy to both of us. She’s not trying to donate it to a war zone, where obviously it might be impractical or unsafe (lack of electricity to sterilise water or bottles for example). She’s trying to donate it here in the UK, where millions of families are struggling to feed themselves and their families. Does anyone have a sensible reason why this might be the case?! I’m sure there must be something we are missing.

www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/Provision-of-formula-milk-at-food-banks-Unicef-UK-Baby-Friendly-Initiative.pdf

Basically the theory is it would promote formula feeding and therefore reduce breastfeeding rates.
It of course does not address the large issue a number of women have breastfeeding issues, the toll it takes on a woman's body, the fact that some women can't for various reasons and of course that some women just don't want to. I view it as a form of sexism addressed specifically at poor women, a policy most likely thought up by men

Basically it's liability. If they gave out the wrong formula to a baby that is literally dependent on it for its entire diet that's potentially a huge problem. Food bank staff aren't trained on all the different kinds of formula and might not immediately know the differences, especially since formulas are often labelled with very similar graphics, schemes etc to take advantage of the ages they are allowed to advertise vs the ones they aren't.

Food banks are are supposed to have systems in place to refer families through health visitor/GP who can assess formula needs (and are more likely to have training on different kinds of formula), breastfeeding support if appropriate, etc.

You could offer the formula for free on local facebook group if you want to get rid of it as people will generally take it. Whether or not that's ethical is a different question.

It's not to do with promoting formula in this case, you might be getting mixed up with why formula samples are not allowed to be distributed for free by companies.

You say thought up by men and I'd be inclined to agree, but there are also a lot of women out there who sadly shame mothers for using formula or make a huuuuge deal if they see a supermarket have accidentally placed formula on a clearance shelf or equivalent, just to make things a little bit more difficult.

Some new mothers won't even be able to afford to feed themselves properly and that'll make breastfeeding even more difficult. I wish we could donate formula. I've had to throw away whole tubs before. It feels incredibly wasteful.

Something to do with contamination I should think. Retail outlets are not permitted by law to take back baby formula which has been purchased. Even if it is still sealed. There is a very strict process, from the manufacturer, to the retailer, to the consumer.

We don't for all of the reasons above.

However, we do signpost providers who can ensure safety and constancy of supply

www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/05/Provision-of-formula-milk-at-food-banks-Unicef-UK-Baby-Friendly-Initiative.pdf

Pretty sure our local baby bank takes it? Certainly they sometimes appeal for certain ones when they have someone who needs it.
If not then if your area has a local 'freebay' Facebook group then you can put it on there.

Healthy start vouchers are available to buy formula if you are on a low income. The system is supposed to work that health visitors ensure the family has enough support and the baby has access to the right milk and adequate power in the property to prepare the milk safely Whether this system works due to the lack of health visitors and fragmentation of the service these days is debatable.

Also food bank volunteers aren't trained in infant feeding. A well meaning volunteer could give out stage 2 formula for a newborn or a specialist formula to a baby that doesn't need it.

Babybanks are run differently, with different backfunding. They do undertake to ensure constancy of supply they can be relied upon.

A foodbank can't do that, we feed families. We can't be everything to everyone.

But we can signpost, share facilities, make sure everyone who needs know where to go.

It's for all the reasons listed. There are vouchers though that low income families can have access to. They only cover stage 1 formula though as anything beyond that is just marketing.

Put it on Facebook for free. Someone will be glad of it.

@Sleepyquest ""make a huuuuge deal if they see a supermarket have accidentally placed formula on a clearance shelf or equivalent, just to make things a little bit more difficult.""" why would someone make a huge deal about milk being reduced?

Our local foodbanks take it but it’ll be more useful to a babybank. You could also offer it for free on Facebook/Olio…

@Irishfarmer it is illegal to reduce or include first stage infant formula in promotions (such as Advantage Card points). The UK does not adopt all elements of the WHO Code (the law around the marketing and provision of infant feeding products and accessories) but does sign up to this part. www.babymilkaction.org/ukrules-pt2a

It's long winded and sounds pompous but:

Women in dire need will buy whatever is cheap/available - may not be best for the baby
Foodbanks don't hand it out because we cannot secure a constant supply of all the variations needed
There are other schemes available
We signpost to them. We actively signpost as in we make a point of talking to new mums about it.
That way mums in dire need know where to go to get a safe and constant supply - plus a lot more support.

It makes more sense to 'capture' a woman in need and send her to one provider who can advise and support her and her baby in lots of ways.

Thanks, think this is her best option.

Yes, starting to look like some do and some don’t, which makes it even more frustrating in some ways!