Replies to LegCo questions
LCQ4: Supply of infant formula
Following is a question by the Hon Andrew Cheng and a reply by the Acting
Secretary for Food and Health, Professor Gabriel Leung, in the Legislative
Council today (May 4):
Question:
Regarding the problems of the short supply of and the speculative surge in the
prices of milk powder locally, the Secretary for Food and Health, in reply to a
question at the Council meeting on February 16 this year, advised that the
Government had been proactively liaising closely with major milk powder
suppliers, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy and major retailers, and
that the suppliers and retailers of milk powder had actively taken steps to meet
the market demand. Yet, it has been reported that as milk powder has remained in
short supply in Hong Kong at the retail level since the Chinese New Year,
members of the public still have difficulties in purchasing milk powder, and
apart from relying solely on the voluntary actions and self-discipline of the
suppliers and retailers of milk powder, the Government has not taken any measure
to stabilise the supply and prices of milk powder in Hong Kong. In this
connection, will the Government inform this Council whether it will consider
setting up milk powder retail outlets at the hospitals and clinics under the
Hospital Authority and the Department of Health, or setting up milk powder
retail outlets in collaboration with other social welfare organisations, and
giving priority to Hong Kong people with infants or young children in making
purchases at these retail outlets, in order to solve the problem of Hong Kong
people being unable to purchase milk powder; if it will, when the plan will be
implemented; if not, of the reasons for that and whether other effective
measures are in place to help members of the public purchase milk powder?
Reply:
President,
The Government cares about babies' health and has been promoting the merits of
breastfeeding in order to encourage its adoption by parents. The Government also
understands that some parents still prefer infant formula, and has therefore
paid particular attention to its safety and supply. Since the reports of
shortage of infant formula, we have been proactive in liaising closely with
major infant formula suppliers, the Hong Kong General Chamber of Pharmacy and
major retailers. We have been assured by the suppliers that they have sufficient
stock on hand, and that they will increase supply to cope with the growing
market demand.
The major infant formula suppliers have all agreed that meeting the needs of
local babies is their prime responsibility, and they have been closely
monitoring the market situation. If necessary, arrangements will be made for
increasing supply in Hong Kong to ensure a stable supply of infant formula in
the local market. The major brands have already set up hotlines or purchase and
delivery services to ensure that the needs of local babies are met. Individual
suppliers have pointed out that there has been an upward trend in requests for
purchase and delivery services from their members, which shows that the public
has got used to purchasing infant formula under the membership system.
Retailers have also been closely monitoring the sale situation, particularly
those retail outlets in areas near the boundary and along the East Rail Line.
They have actively approached the suppliers to discuss arrangements for
increasing supply and delivery to expedite replenishment, so as to meet the
demand of the market. Some retail outlets have set sale quota for certain brands
of infant formula in order to cater for the demand of local citizens.
While considering whether infant formula should be sold by public organisations,
we must balance it with the Government's policy in promoting breastfeeding. The
World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends breastfeeding as the way of providing
the best food for healthy growth and development of infants. It recommends that
babies under six months of age should preferably be exclusively breastfed, and
then continue to be breastfed along with supplementary foods up to two years of
age or beyond. The Government has all along endeavoured to promote, protect and
support breastfeeding and to implement this policy through the Department of
Health (DH) and the Hospital Authority (HA). Healthcare professionals provide
counselling service for breastfeeding mothers, and help post-natal women acquire
breastfeeding skills and tackle the problems they may encounter during
breastfeeding. Maternal and Child Centres under DH also conduct workshops to
equip breastfeeding working mothers with the necessary skills so that they are
prepared for continuing breastfeeding after returning to work. To enhance
parents' understanding on diet for babies and infants, DH plans to produce a
parenting education kit on healthy diet for babies and infants, which will
include a handbook, education VCDs and recipes, etc. so as to disseminate
correct health information among parents. Besides, public hospitals have banned
promotional activities on breast-milk substitutes within their premises.
Starting from April 1, 2010, HA purchases milk powder from contract suppliers by
tender and no longer accepts free samples of breast-milk substitutes. It is also
stipulated in the tender contracts that the suppliers must comply with the
International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes of the World Health
Organisation (WHO Code), which aims at ensuring that the sale and advertising of
breast-milk substitutes will not discourage breastfeeding so as to achieve more
effective implementation of the breastfeeding policy in hospitals.
The Government is now in the process of drafting a Hong Kong Code of Marketing
of Breast-milk Substitutes (the Hong Kong Code). The Hong Kong Code aims to
regulate the manufacturers and distributors of breast-milk substitutes and to
prohibit them from advertising and marketing their breast-milk substitutes and
related products by way of malpractice. In developing the Hong Kong Code, the
Government will take into account the details and scope of regulation
recommended in the WHO Code. When the Hong Kong Code comes into effect, we will
monitor its implementation to ensure that the correct information reaches the
parents.
Hong Kong practices free trade. With an open and fair trading platform and
transparent information, the stable and sufficient supply of infant formula by
traders is ensured and a reasonable price for infant formula is maintained. The
Consumer Council also releases information of major brands of infant formula
through the CHOICE Magazine and its website, including the out-of-stock rate,
prices, customer services information and hints for switching formula for
babies, etc. Such information will increase the market transparency and
competition. Although there are shortages in the supply of particular brands at
certain times, the overall supply of infant formula is still sufficient. We
consider that the existing measures have helped stabilise the supply of infant
formula. The Administration will continue to keep close liaison with the
Consumer Council, major suppliers, importers and retailers of infant formula to
jointly ensure the stable supply of infant formula in the local market.
Ends/Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:00
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