{"id":52742,"date":"2025-02-14T09:36:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T09:36:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/parents-could-save-up-to-540-a-year-regulator-says\/"},"modified":"2025-02-14T09:36:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T09:36:00","slug":"parents-could-save-up-to-540-a-year-regulator-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=52742","title":{"rendered":"Parents could save up to \u00a3540 a year, regulator says"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Tom Espiner<\/span><\/p>\n

BBC business reporter<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"GettyGetty Images<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n
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Parents could save up to \u00a3540 a year by switching from premium baby milk formula to a basic brand, a regulator has said following a probe into the market.<\/p>\n

Parents can feel guilty about using lower-priced brands, because they think they are somehow inferior, the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) said.<\/p>\n

But lower-priced formulas have the same nutritional value as the more expensive options, it said.<\/p>\n

The regulator has also recommended that formula should have plain packaging in hospitals, and parents should be allowed to buy baby milk in supermarkets using loyalty points and vouchers.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The CMA compared various brands of formula, and found that the difference in prices over the first year of a baby’s life “has a sizeable financial impact on parents”.<\/p>\n

Buying current market leader, Aptamil, rather than Little Steps, which is one of the cheapest formulas, would cost parents \u00a3300 more per year.<\/p>\n

Buying the Aptamil premium brand, Aptamil Advanced, rather than Little Steps would cost \u00a3540 more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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At present parents are facing “poor outcomes” because of the way the baby milk market works, the CMA said.<\/p>\n

Baby milk brands often provide hospitals with formula below cost, because once parents start using a brand, they tend to stick with it.<\/p>\n

But formula milks are tightly controlled by law, and must provide essential nutrients for babies, and be safe.<\/p>\n

Standardised packaging would “eliminate” brand influence after parents leave hospitals, the regulator said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The regulator also recommended that supermarkets should let people know that all infant formula has the right nutrients for babies, and that information should also be on baby milk labels.<\/p>\n

Retailers should also make it easier for parents to compare prices, and the ban on advertising should be extended to include follow-on formula.<\/p>\n

Restrictions on price promotions and discounts on formula should remain in place so mothers are not discouraged from breastfeeding, it said. <\/p>\n

But people should be allowed to use points, gift cards and vouchers to get the most for their money, its chief executive told the BBC.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n


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