“Thailand Takes a Stand Against Toddler Milk Marketing – ProPublica’s Investigative Report”

In a groundbreaking move, Thailand has implemented new regulations that will prohibit baby formula companies from advertising, offering giveaways, and providing discounts for toddler milk products. This decision comes after experts have raised concerns about the impact of toddler milk on children’s health, including contributing to obesity and other health issues.

The push for these regulations was sparked by a ProPublica investigation that uncovered how the U.S. intervened to weaken Thailand’s previous attempts to ban formula advertising in 2017. At that time, Thai health authorities aimed to increase breastfeeding rates by ending marketing for all formula products, particularly targeting toddler milk, which often comes with unsupported health claims.

Despite these efforts, formula makers like Mead Johnson lobbied U.S. trade officials to intervene, resulting in an exemption for toddler milk ads. As a result, toddler milk sales in Thailand skyrocketed, accounting for more than half of all formula sales in the country by last year.

ProPublica’s investigation also revealed that the U.S. has been involved in roughly two dozen similar efforts to oppose local regulations on formula marketing globally, aligning with the interests of the multibillion-dollar formula industry.

Health officials and activists have criticized formula advertising for misleading parents and potentially leading mothers to abandon breastfeeding prematurely, depriving children of essential health benefits. While the industry defends the promotion of toddler milk as a nutritional supplement for children over 12 months old, experts argue that the aggressive marketing tactics can have detrimental effects on children’s health.

In response to mounting pressure, Thailand has decided to implement restrictions on toddler milk marketing, joining a growing number of countries that have taken similar steps. The World Health Organization has supported these measures, citing concerns about the nutritional value of toddler milk and its potential to disrupt breastfeeding.

The new regulations in Thailand will come into effect in July, marking a significant step towards protecting the health and well-being of children in the country. This move highlights the importance of regulating formula marketing to ensure the best outcomes for children’s health and development.