Concern groups push for urgent action to limit milk powder advertisements

Unicef and other groups advocating breastfeeding yesterday urged the health minister to introduce immediate regulations on baby formula marketing in the face of what he termed "quite severe" opposition.

Food and Health Secretary Dr Ko Wing-man, who is due to announce the results of a consultation on a proposed voluntary code on Monday, said the opposition delayed the process of sorting out opinions after the consultation ended last year.

Ko said the opposition mainly came from formula manufacturers and a minority of professionals, particularly on the proposal that formula milk for children up to three years old should not be advertised.

"In the following few months, I will be re-examining the contents of the Hong Kong code," Ko said. "I can tell you that opposition is quite severe."

Reasons for opposition included concerns the guidelines would hinder freedom of expression and information, he said.

Former diving champion and Unicef Hong Kong ambassador Guo Jingjing and Unicef Hong Kong committee chairwoman Judy Chen Qing, both breastfeeding mothers, submitted a petition with about 3,000 signatures to Ko yesterday. The UN children's organisation wants the code to regulate advertisements on formula milk for children.