Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022
975. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he has or will engage with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to seek a provision of the regulation of the digital marketing of breast milk substitutes in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14531/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetailed compositional and labelling requirements for infant formulae and follow-on formulae intended for use by infants in good health are set out in EU Regulations. The importance of the WHO International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes is also recognised in these Regulations. Under the Regulations, the labelling, presentation and advertising of infant formulae and follow-on formulae must be designed so as not to discourage breastfeeding.
The labelling of infant formula must bear ‘a statement concerning the superiority of breast feeding and a statement recommending that the product be used only on the advice of independent persons having qualifications in medicine, nutrition or pharmacy, or other professionals responsible for maternal and child care’. Furthermore, the advertising of infant formula is restricted to publications specialising in baby care and scientific publications. ‘Such advertisements may contain only information of a scientific and factual nature. Such information shall not imply that or create a belief that bottle-feeding is equivalent or superior to breast feeding’. Point-of-sale advertising, giving of samples or any other promotional device to induce sales of infant formula directly to the consumer at the retail level, is prohibited.
As the rules on the labelling, presentation and advertising of infant formulae and follow-on formulae are harmonised at EU level, it is not proposed to introduce additional national rules at this juncture. Therefore, it is not currently proposed to bring forward legislative provisions in this area into the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022.
