Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what his planned timeline is for responding to the Competition and Markets Authorities recommendations in their report into the infant formula and follow-on formula market, published on 20 February 2024.

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 Government welcomes the Competition and Markets Authority’s market study into the United Kingdom’s infant formula and follow-on formula market. We are working closely with other Government departments and the devolved administrations to carefully consider its findings and recommendations, and will respond fully in due course.