The federal government has made it mandatory for formula milk manufacturers and importers to display a breastfeeding advisory on product packaging. The required statement reads, “Mother’s milk is best for babies.”
The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued formal instructions directing companies to include the warning on packaging and labels in both Urdu and English. The regulator has told all relevant manufacturers and importers to ensure compliance with the decision.
New labelling rules for formula milk products
According to DRAP, manufacturers must also add information on the benefits and importance of breastfeeding to the informational panels of their products. The directive covers formula milk intended for children aged one to three years, which must carry the prescribed warning clearly displayed on packaging.
The move follows directions from the Senate Standing Committee on Health, which had called for a statement highlighting the benefits of mother’s milk on formula packaging.
Paediatric expert stresses value of breast milk
Last year, Dr. Khalid Shafi, secretary-general of the Pakistan Pediatric Association, said that no formula milk can replace mother’s milk. In an interview on a television programme, he stressed that no formula can match the nutrients and benefits of breast milk, calling it the natural system designed by nature.
He also linked high infant mortality in Pakistan to a lack of proper nutrition and care. He said newborns often do not receive necessary vaccinations, which can lead to diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia that may be fatal.
The expert advised that newborns be given mother’s milk within the first hour of birth and exclusively for the first six months. He said it protects babies from diseases and infections.
