Response 545199944 to Review of the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement (MAIF Agreement) - Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Response 545199944

PART 1 - Introduction and Demographic Information

3. What is your name or organisation name?

Name:

Katy Hunt

5. Please select the option that best describes you or your organisation?

Please select one item

(Required)

Government agency

MAIF Signatory

Industry Representative that is not a MAIF signatory

Health, Public Health Representative/Organisation

Breastfeeding Advocacy Group

Overseas-based Organisation

Consumer/General Public

Other

If 'Other' is selected, please specify:

South Eastern Area Health Service

If 'Overseas-based Organisation' is selected, please name the country in which your central office is located:

Australia

6. Please answer questions i and ii:

i. Have you ever purchased infant formula products for your child or a child under your care (under 12 months of age)?

Please select one item

Yes

If you selected 'Yes', what affected your decision to purchase a product? (suggested word limit 250 words):

It was available as a sachet. I did not have to buy a whole tin.

ii. Have you ever purchased ‘toddler milk’ for your child or a child under your care (aged 12 – 36 months)?

Please select one item

Yes

PART 2 - Is the MAIF Agreement effective in achieving its aims?

14. The MAIF Agreement is effective in achieving its aims.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

Please provide more detail about your response (suggested word count 250 words):

the phrase "the proper use of breastmilk substitutes, when they are necessary, on the basis of adequate information"

I am not sure who is responsible for the readily available BMS that litter the supermarket shelves that include vegan, goats milk and highly modified formulas that require use under medical supervision according to the NHMRC guidelines.

PART 3 - Is the scope of the MAIF Agreement appropriate: is it still meeting the objectives?

15. The scope of the MAIF Agreement is appropriate.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

Please provide more detail about your response (suggested word count 250 words):

There seems to be a lot of confusion given the "follow on formulas" where people think they BF for 6 months then they must give their baby formula (6-9 months) when they don't realise they can still be BF

16. The scope of products covered by the MAIF Agreement is appropriate.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

Please provide more detail about your response (suggested word count 250 words):

There are bottles and teats advertised as "more like the breast", suggesting a "safe" option to combine breastfeeding and formula feeding. It is misleading.

17. The scope of parties covered by the MAIF Agreement is appropriate.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

Please provide more detail about your response (suggested word count 250 words):

Supermarkets have not done enough to manage the issue of formula purchased and sent overseas, making it at times unsafe for consumers to purchase what is there.

18. The MAIF Agreement (under Clause 7) restricts the type of information that can be provided to health care professionals on infant formula products. What activities can be done to increase the awareness of the appropriate use of breast milk substitutes amongst health care professionals?

Please provide more detail about your response (suggested word count 250 words):

Health Professionals follow the advice by the NHMRC guidelines but it is in desperate need of updating. ASCIA does not support the Hydrolysed (partially and extensively) infant formula for prevention of allergic
disease. These products are on the shelves and readily available, could it be that ASCIA is sponsored by the BMS companies?

19. Are the current advertising and marketing provisions covered by the MAIF agreement appropriate?

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

Should the scope be changed to include modern marketing techniques, such as targeting advertising on social media platforms? (suggested word count 250 words):

The digital marketing is of enormous concern. Kidspot has a formula advertisement every few seconds.

What changes would you suggest and how could they be implemented? (suggested word count 250 words):

I just think that simple labelling of the infant formula so as not to confuse parents is a step in the right direction.

PART 4 - Are the MAIF Agreement processes appropriate?

20. The MAIF Agreement complaints processes are appropriate.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

21. The MAIF Agreement guidance documents are appropriate to support interpretation of the MAIF Agreement?

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

Please provide more detail about your response (suggested word count 250 words):

I just think that the "Toddler Milk" is the most confusing thing of all and must not be allowed to continue to be advertised.

22. Have you lodged a complaint with the MAIF Agreement Complaints Committee?

Please select one item

Yes

24. The MAIF Agreement complaints process is independent.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

25. The MAIF Agreement complaints process is transparent.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

26. The MAIF Agreement complaints process is administered in a timely manner.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

27. Publication of breaches of the MAIF Agreement is an appropriate enforcement mechanism.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

PART 4 continued - Is the voluntary, self-regulatory approach fit for purpose or are there alternative regulatory models?

28. The MAIF Agreement’s effectiveness is not reduced by its voluntary, self-regulatory approach.

Please select one item

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

Unsure

Please provide more detail about your response (suggested word count 250 words):

how could it???

PART 5 - What are the benefits, costs and any limitations of changes and expansion of the agreement scope, alternative regulatory models and MAIF Agreement processes?

30. What changes would you make to the MAIF Agreement and its processes?

a. (suggested word count 250 words):

I would like to see the more advice that toddler milk is unnecessary.

b. What do you think would be the potential benefits of these changes (suggested word count 250 words)?

A lot less fat toddlers

c. What do you think would be the potential costs of these changes (suggested word count 250 words)?

it wouldn't cost anything