Taskforce set up to address rising prices of formula milk by year-end

SINGAPORE — A six-member taskforce, led by Senior Minister of State (Trade and Industry) Koh Poh Koon will address the rising prices of formula milk by the end of the year. They will facilitate imports of more formula milk options and tighten regulations on labelling and advertising, among other measures. 

Senior Minister of State (Health) Amy Khor, Members of Parliament (MP) Sun Xueling and Rahayu Mahzam, and senior paediatricians Associate Professor Marion Aw and Dr Chan Yoke Hwee will also sit on the taskforce. 

Announcing this on Facebook on Monday (May 22), Dr Koh said that their priorities include raising public awareness and encouraging good practices in hospitals. 

Earlier this month, the Competition Commission of Singapore released the findings of a year-long inquiry into rising formula milk prices. They found that brand loyalty and a preference for premium products among parents have prompted formula milk companies to invest heavily in marketing and research and development, which contributed to the average retail price of formula milk more than doubling over the past nine years.

In response, the authorities said they would tweak import requirements to bring in more suppliers into the market. They would also tighten scrutiny on labelling and advertising for formula milk, with a review of these regulations to be completed by the end of the year. 

Dr Poh, who is also Senior Minister of State (National Development), said the taskforce has already begun work. The Health Promotion Board will launch a five-year public education campaign on the nutritional needs of children in the next two weeks.

As a new mother herself, Ms Rahayu, an MP for Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC), said she was acutely aware of parents’ anxieties and concerns when it comes to their children’s well-being. 

Adding that the issue goes beyond controlling advertising and prices, she said it is also important to deal with concerns and to change the mindsets of parents who will almost always be willing to pay a premium to give their children an edge. 

As a breastfeeding mum, she also wishes to encourage the practice, by ensuring there is adequate support, infrastructure and facilities at the workplace to allow those who wish to breastfeed to continue to do so.

Ms Sun, an MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said residents want to know what they are paying for, and are keen to find out the Government’s timeline in tackling rising formula milk prices. She looks forward to helping to give consumers more choices and make informed decisions. 

Dr Koh said the implementation of these measures will require close coordination among public agencies and hospitals.

“We hope that the measures Government puts in place will lead to the availability of more choices of formula milk, and give parents greater peace of mind to select an option that best meets their family’s needs,” he said.