Compliance and marketing of infant formula key topics

Compliance and marketing of infant formula key topics at industry workshop

Manufacturers and marketers of infant formula will gather in Auckland tomorrow to take part in a workshop hosted by industry body the Infant Nutrition Council (INC).

Council Chief Executive Jan Carey said the workshop was an opportunity for all members of the industry to refresh their knowledge of the expectations and requirements around the manufacture and marketing of infant formula in New Zealand.

“While the workshop is aimed at the relatively new entrants to the industry and intended to step them through the requirements, build familiarity, and answer questions they may have, we are aiming to cover the spread of issues we believe are topical for all industry participants,” Ms Carey said.

The one-day workshop will cover the labelling and composition requirements for infant formula in New Zealand, as well as discussing manufacturing and the Infant Nutrition Council’s Code of Practice for the Marketing of Infant Formula in New Zealand which is based on the World Health Organization’s Code.

“Safe manufacturing and ethical marketing of infant formula are essential for all infant formula companies. It is an area we feel both new entrants to the industry and older, more established companies will benefit from learning more about,” Ms. Carey said.

Confirmed speakers for the workshop include representatives from the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), the Ministry of Health and Assure Quality, as well as Ms. Carey.

Topics at the workshop will include labelling and composition requirements, New Zealand manufacturing requirements, risk management programmes, compliance, policy framework for infant feeding, marketing and the compliance monitoring and industry complaints process. In addition, INC will discuss their role in the industry in New Zealand and Australia. The agenda is attached.

“We feel there is significant value in getting participants together to talk about things that matter to everyone in the infant formula industry,” Ms. Carey said.

Ms. Carey said that while INC represents 95% of the infant formula industry in New Zealand and Australia by volume, there are still other infant formula manufacturers who are interested in what INC has to offer its members.

“INC is firmly committed to ensuring the safety and integrity of the infant formula industry in New Zealand and Australia. That’s part of the reason why we’ve made this workshop open to anyone who wants to attend, not just INC members.”

The workshop will be held Tuesday 8 April, from 10am – 5pm in Auckland. Visit http://www.infantnutritioncouncil.com/events/ for more information.

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