Section 3 of The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992
No person shall--
- (a)advertise, or take part in the publication of any advertisement, for the distribution, sale or supply of infant milk substitutes 1[, feeding bottles or infant foods]; or
- (b)give an impression or create a belief in any manner that feeding of 2[infant milk substitutes and infant foods are] equivalent to, or better than, mother's milk; or 3[(c) take part in the promotion of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles or infant foods.]
Summary
- Nobody is allowed to advertise the distribution, sale, or supply of infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles, or infant foods.
- Nobody is allowed to take part in publishing an advertisement for these products.
- Nobody is allowed to give the impression or create a belief that infant milk substitutes and infant foods are equal to or better than a mother's breastmilk.
- Nobody is allowed to promote infant milk substitutes, feeding bottles, or infant foods in any way.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Can a company run a commercial for a baby feeding bottle?
No, advertising feeding bottles is strictly prohibited.
2. Can a product label claim that formula is just as healthy as breastmilk?
No, it is illegal to give the impression that infant milk substitutes are equivalent to or better than mother's milk.
3. Is it okay to hire social media influencers to promote infant foods?
No, taking part in the promotion of infant foods is totally forbidden.
Test yourself
Q1.Under Section 3 of The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, which of the following actions is prohibited regarding infant milk substitutes?
Q2.Under Section 3 of The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, how must sellers avoid comparing their infant food to mother's milk?
Q3.Under Section 3 of The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, is the promotion of feeding bottles allowed?
Q4.Under Section 3 of The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, who is restricted from taking part in the publication of an advertisement for infant foods?
Q5.Under Section 3 of The Infant Milk Substitutes, Feeding Bottles and Infant Foods (Regulation of Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 1992, which three categories of items face the advertising prohibition?