A lot of formulas have extra ingredients that I call “flavor crystals“—ingredients that are synthesized versions of human milk components, but in the context of formula are not proven to be of any benefit. But what’s the harm in buying these products anyway?

This 👇 is what.

Title slide from Dr Katie Pereira-Kotze's presentation to the APPGIFI on the Government response to CMA infant formula market study - summary and reflections, with the Baby Feeding Law Group - Uk and First Steps Nutrition Trust logos

Today we're hearing from @katiepk.bsky.social from @1stepsnutrition.bsky.social, which holds the secretariat role of the Baby Feeding Law Group UK. Katie is speaking today about the Governemnet response to Competition and Markets Authority infant formula market study #APPGIFI

Even as western nations cut aid, they continue to extract

"The large net outflow of resources from sub-Saharan Africa to beneficiaries in high-income countries coupled with the emergence of an African elite is evidence of neocolonialism"

darajapress.com/wp-content/u...

We have compiled a list of suggestions for what healthcare professionals can do to challenge such conflicts of interest, especially where the inappropriate marketing of breastmilk substitutes including commercial milk formulas targets health professionals.

"...this creates a conflict of interest that can undermine the independence and integrity of journals through an implicit bias in the content they publish.”

Our Senior Nutritionist @Dr Katie Pereira-Kotze said: “There is much evidence to show that sponsorship from industry introduces a commercial influence of the content that journals publish and share..."

Important post
#ConflictsOfInterest
#EndExploitativeMarketing

Unmasking Influence - Full Documentary Film Unmasking influence is about how commercial actors influence policy and public health. Many of the major public health crises we face today are largely driven by…

OFFICIAL RELEASE: The documentary Unmasking Influence is now publicly available! Explore how powerful industries shape science, policy, and public health - and what must be done to prevent harm.
Watch the full film: edin.ac/43Gd2cC
@maizie333.bsky.social
#GlobalHealth #UnmaskingInfluence

Unmasking Influence: Teaser 2 This teaser is for a film called Unmasking Influence. Unmasking influence is about how commercial actors influence policy and public health. Many of the major public…

“There is plenty of room for hope.” “We need big bold brave action.” "Harm is not inevitable". Watch the full film on Monday Nov 3rd and be a part of meaningful change. #UpstreamPrevention #Solutions #UnmaskingInfluence
vimeo.com/1132465224
@maizie333.bsky.social

The Telegraph on X: "🍼 Manufacturers have kept profit margins of 50 to 75 per cent on infant formula, compared with less than 5 per cent on most groceries https://t.co/VnCeNHamY4" / X 🍼 Manufacturers have kept profit margins of 50 to 75 per cent on infant formula, compared with less than 5 per cent on most groceries https://t.co/VnCeNHamY4

x.com/telegraph/st...

The BMJ on X: "Baby feeding charities and experts have called on the government to urgently publish its response to recommendations for tackling the high price of infant formula made by the UK’s competition regulator in February https://t.co/xfbfk9Slvy" / X Baby feeding charities and experts have called on the government to urgently publish its response to recommendations for tackling the high price of infant formula made by the UK’s competition regulator in February https://t.co/xfbfk9Slvy

x.com/bmj_latest/s...

Experts call on Government to tackle 'greedy' baby formula companies Parents face 'unjustifiably high' costs to feed their babies because the Government has failed to crack down on profiteering by formula companies, medical experts warned today.

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...

BREAKING: UN Declaration On Noncommunicable Diseases Fails To Win Approval After US Foils Consensus - Health Policy Watch NEW YORK CITY - A painstakingly negotiated Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases with overwhelming support from UN member states failed to win

It’s one thing to withdraw from global health

It’s another thing to block other nations from global initiatives and goals

NO ONE COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE SO MUCH POWER!!!

healthpolicy-watch.news/un-declarati...

Today at #UNGA2025, countries present climate action plans #NDCs. Breastfeeding is an overlooked investment that sustains both life and the planet. Read our proposal to recognize investment in breastfeeding as a carbon offset: pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC... Video: youtu.be/rc7ZGOG3YlM?...

Global health going backwards on gender equality, study finds - Research Professional News Report links decline in organisations’ equality policies to US gender “backlash”

Global health going backwards on gender equality

www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-afri...

Rise of dangerous health information in UK risks 'lost generation'

LSHTM experts warn false or misleading health information on social media, apps, & AI tools risks "reversing decades of progress", call for new network to fight back.

@lshtmcepr.bsky.social

www.lshtm.ac.uk/newsevents/n...

Everyone needs a refresher course on basic human rights

The government wants more people to breastfeed. Experts say paid parental leave could help. Researchers have been examining ways to increase breastfeeding rates for years. They warn it will take structural reform and funding.

Structural support 🗝️“If you want to influence health in a nation... investing in supporting mothers and infants is one of the most effective strategies and provides the greatest return on investment. So anything that threatens that is going to have impacts on health.”
19thnews.org/2025/09/gove...

Leaving a gift to the Breastfeeding Network in your Will is a positive step to ensure that your values, beliefs and passions can live on after your death.A grandmother holding a baby

Leaving a legacy will help us reach more women and families for generations to come. Want to know more? Visit our website for your downloadable Legacy Gifting Guide. Image of brochure. Will you make a difference by leaving a gift in your Will?

As a charity, the Breastfeeding Network's essential running costs and all of our projects and services rely on donations.

Leaving a gift in your Will helps us to reach more women and families, when and where they need us.

Downloadable Legacy Gifting Guide:
buff.ly/VODsock

#RememberACharityWeek

Doctor uses Reform conference speech to link king’s cancer to Covid vaccine Aseem Malhotra claimed ‘eminent oncologist’ said jab was ‘significant factor in the cancer of members of royal family’

This is without any evidence or data to support it. Cancer existed before COVID vaccines. The rise in early onset cancers- going on for decades- is not linked to COVID vaccines. Follow scientists & medical researchers. Not ppl selling snake oil. www.theguardian.com/politics/202...

As a previous recipient of a BA small grant, I'd encourage eligible people to apply. It's possible to get a lot of research value in <£10K. (In my case experimentation with different digital skills pedagogy through hosting a number of open workshops, which influenced a bunch of publications.)

Food industry lobbying is leading Labour to drop public health plans, experts say Inaction on ill-health prevention after pressure from junk food and alcohol firms ‘could cause NHS collapse’

www.theguardian.com/society/2025...

Very good question! And this happens in other countries too…

Just a reminder that U.K. has new Foreign Secretary 4 days before start of UN General Assembly. Leaving aside scale of briefing to get through, worth recalling that these events rely hugely on personal relationships developed over time. Still, it’s not as if there are any important things to discuss

Menu of policy options | Recipe for Change Build your own vision for children’s health by seeing what £3 billion a year from a new levy on the food industry can fund!

Great to see this new costed policy to deliver trustworthy breastfeeding and bottle-feeding support for all families that need it, on the Recipe For Change menu @catherinehine.bsky.social @bfn-uk.bsky.social @sustainweb.org

www.recipeforchange.org.uk/policy-inter...

DfE seeks food sponsor for flagship breakfast club scheme But unions warn businesses 'should not be relied upon to make the government's programme work'

The government is offering "partnerships" to big food companies in delivering the national school breakfast programme.

Our view? A national school breakfast programme should be properly funded, and school clubs free from commercial promotions - what do you think?
schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-seeks-bu...

🧵1/3 New paper! Profits Before Health? New Zealand Government Rejection of Stricter Infant Formula Marketing Standards and the Lobbying Behind It. Read it here ➡️ onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
@philbakernz.bsky.social @mboatwright.bsky.social @sydney.edu.au

One straightforward action the U.K. Government could do today - adopt the 11 recommendations of the CMA on regulating misleading marketing in full. This would disrupt the blatant profiteering we have seen from formula companies recently.
#BabiesBeforeProfits
#EndExploitativeMarketing
#WBW2025

Becoming Baby-friendly: What works?

Celebrating 2025 World Breastfeeding Week!

#IntBreastfeedJ has new collection to attract studies advancing our understanding of successful strategies/processes underpining organisations' decision to implement BFHI
www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...

It’s #WorldBreastfeedingWeek and we’re looking at the ways in which we protect breastfeeding with our work here at First Steps Nutrition Trust.