THAILAND BANS ADVERTISING FOR TODDLER MILK

With new rules, Thailand joins three dozen countries that have taken steps to regulate toddler milk ads. The action follows a ProPublica investigation that detailed how the U.S. helped the formula industry fight regulation in 2017.

New regulations in Thailand will force baby formula companies to stop advertising, giveaways and discounts for so-called toddler milk, which experts say can contribute to growing obesity and other health problems among the nation’s children.

The action follows a ProPublica investigation that revealed how the U.S. worked to weaken Thailand’s last major attempt to ban formula advertising, in 2017.

Thai health authorities at the time had hoped to end marketing for all formula products as part of their efforts to increase the country’s breastfeeding rate, which was among the lowest in the world. Of particular concern was toddler milk, a type of formula made especially for young children, often pitched with bold and, experts say, unsupported health claims. But formula makers like Mead Johnson asked U.S. trade officials to intervene, setting off a 15-month diplomatic and political pressure campaign that resulted in an exemption for toddler milk ads.

Regulation