Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to improve (a) awareness of and (b) access to formula milk for infants.

Infant feeding is critical to a baby’s healthy growth and development. The Government is committed to giving every child the best start in life and that includes helping families to access support to feed their baby.

Whilst breastfeeding has significant health benefits, we recognise that for those families that cannot or choose not to breastfeed, it is vital that they have access to infant formula that is affordable and high quality. Infant formula regulations ensure that all infant formula is suitable for meeting the nutritional needs of babies, regardless of the price or brand.

The Competition and Markets Authority is undertaking a market study on infant and follow on formula and is due to publish its final report, with recommendations later this month. We welcome this report and will carefully consider its findings and recommendations including any on increasing awareness of, and access to, infant formula.