In the past, the World Health Organization criticized infant formula manufacturers for the exorbitant costs that families were forced to pay. Some parents felt compelled to steal the products or purchase them on the black market.
Families have been using it for the past seven months to nourish their infants due to the exorbitant cost of formula milk in stores.
Parents accused of removing baby milk, purchasing it on the black market, diluting infant formula, and substituting it for condensed milk provided information to the baby formula investigation.
Baby banks and food banks throughout the United Kingdom have witnessed an influx of families in need of assistance. Frequently, these families consist of employed parents who are unable to afford necessities such as formula milk.
Infant formula prices in the UK rose 24% in two years, according to 2023 research. The least expensive brand experienced the most significant increase of 45%.
Starting on the following Monday, Danone will propose a 7% price reduction on Aptamil that they distribute to retailers.
Indications of unreasonable price increases
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of the United Kingdom declared in November that it would further examine the prices charged to families for infant formula, following the commencement of an investigation into the exorbitant expenses associated with this product.
The CMA discovered evidence of unjustified price increases, with consumer costs increasing by 25% over a two-year period, and expressed concern that Danone and Nestle, the two market leaders in infant formula, control 85% of the market.
“It is shocking to see the United Kingdom facing these issues.”
Concerning the escalating cost of infant formula, the World Health Organization (WHO) described it as “exploiting” British families. The WHO demanded that the government take action.
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Laurence Grummer-Strawn, a technical officer for the World Health Organization, remarked, “It is shocking to see a high-income nation like the United Kingdom grappling with issues where mothers cannot afford to feed their infants.”
Danone previously acknowledged “the difficulties parents face as a result of inflation” and attempted to absorb pricing rises.
The company maintained that “the formula milk market is competitive” based on its experience.
In response to Danone’s 7% price reduction, the Icelandic supermarket chain has verified it has decreased the price of the Aptamil formula.
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