Maternity ward milk promotions set to end
By Wang Qingchu and Liang Yiwen |
November 5, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA is set to outlaw formula milk promotions at hospitals, according to draft legislation released by the central government yesterday.
Backing up the initiative to encourage breastfeeding among mothers with babies under six months, companies falling foul of the law could face criminal proceedings.
Presently, new mothers often receive goodie bags from formula milk producers, and baby identity bracelets sometimes carry their advertisements.
It is reported that many new mothers, influenced by promotions, choose to use formula milk.
The draft, issued by the Legal Affairs Office of the State Council, would forbid hospitals, clinics and medical centers from disclosing information on pregnant women, new mothers and family members to milk producers.
And breast milk alternatives would be ordered to print a "breastfeeding encouraged" message on packaging and not use pictures of infants.
Compared with current regulations issued in 1995, this draft has stricter rules and tougher punishments.
In addition to fines ranging from 1,000 yuan (US$158) to 30,000 yuan, companies could also be held criminally liable for serious offenses.
There is also a tough stance against advertisements for formula milk at medical institutions, which would be banned. There have been concerns that cold-calling and "soft promotions" have got out of hand.
Cheng Yong, father of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, said that his family was harassed by calls from milk company sales staff after his son was born. This never happened before, he said.
Experts say formula milk powder makes children more prone to infections, asthma, obesity and diabetes.
Backing up the initiative to encourage breastfeeding among mothers with babies under six months, companies falling foul of the law could face criminal proceedings.
Presently, new mothers often receive goodie bags from formula milk producers, and baby identity bracelets sometimes carry their advertisements.
It is reported that many new mothers, influenced by promotions, choose to use formula milk.
The draft, issued by the Legal Affairs Office of the State Council, would forbid hospitals, clinics and medical centers from disclosing information on pregnant women, new mothers and family members to milk producers.
And breast milk alternatives would be ordered to print a "breastfeeding encouraged" message on packaging and not use pictures of infants.
Compared with current regulations issued in 1995, this draft has stricter rules and tougher punishments.
In addition to fines ranging from 1,000 yuan (US$158) to 30,000 yuan, companies could also be held criminally liable for serious offenses.
There is also a tough stance against advertisements for formula milk at medical institutions, which would be banned. There have been concerns that cold-calling and "soft promotions" have got out of hand.
Cheng Yong, father of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy, said that his family was harassed by calls from milk company sales staff after his son was born. This never happened before, he said.
Experts say formula milk powder makes children more prone to infections, asthma, obesity and diabetes.
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