AQW 25049/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Health

To ask the Minister of Health whether he is considering implementing the recommendation from the Competition and Markets Authority that maternity units and baby clinics only provide unbranded infant formula to new parents so they are not influencing new parents to buy infant formula based on branding rather than price.

Asked by Sian Mulholland MLA on 25 March 2025

  • Answered
  • Written
Tabled
25 March 2025
Answer due by
9 April 2025
Answered
9 April 202515 days after tabling
Department
Department of Health
Priority question
No

Answer

Following the publication of the final Competition and Markets Authority report on the infant formula and follow-on formula market study, my Department is currently working closely with the Food Standards Agency in Northern Ireland to assess all of the recommendations. Officials are also engaging with counterparts across England, Scotland and Wales to consider the report.

Until this assessment concludes, I am not in a position to comment on individual recommendations set out in the report.

Official sources