Marketing formula milk unethically: Senate panel orders crackdown on firms

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Health on Friday directed the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to take strict action against manufacturers and distributors of formula milk and baby feed, citing unethical marketing practices that promote products hazardous to babies’ health.

“If there is no stay order from any court, DRAP should take stern action against formula milk companies for their unethical marketing practices, as they are selling hazardous chemicals in the name of baby food to our children.

The entire Senate Standing Committee on Health is here to support DRAP against these companies,” said Senator Amir Waliuddin Chisti, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Health, during a session with DRAP officials.

DRAP’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Asim Rauf, informed the committee that formula milk and baby feed manufacturers have been employing various tactics to persuade authorities to shift regulatory oversight from DRAP to provincial food authorities. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful, with two provincial high courts rejecting their pleas.