Overview

This bill aims to establish an Infant and Young Child Nutrition Agency to set standards for, and regulate the advertising and promotion of, feeding products for babies and young children up to 36 months old. The goal is to ensure these products meet nutritional and safety standards and that marketing practices are truthful and do not undermine breastfeeding.

Description

The bill creates the Infant and Young Child Nutrition Agency (the Agency), responsible for setting standards for the composition, safety, and labelling of infant and young child feeding products. This includes licensing products, setting guidelines for ingredients, quality, storage, and preparation, and regulating promotional methods.

The Agency will have the power to restrict advertising and promotion methods across various platforms (e.g., television, social media, parenting groups) and may even implement a total ban on advertising for children under one year. It will also set packaging standards, potentially including plain packaging, specific font requirements, and mandatory statements about breastfeeding.

The Agency will monitor and evaluate claims made about products, ensuring that they align with its standards. Manufacturers will have access to an evaluation service for their products. The bill outlines penalties for those who violate its provisions, ranging from fines to prison sentences.

Key Powers of the Agency:

• Setting standards for composition, safety, and labelling of feeding products.
• Licensing feeding products.
• Regulating advertising and promotion.
• Monitoring and evaluating claims made about products.
• Setting packaging standards.

Government Spending

The bill stipulates that government funding will cover the Agency's operational costs, staff, facilities, and any additional expenditure resulting from the Act's implementation. Specific figures are not provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

• Manufacturers of feeding products: They will need to meet the Agency's standards and licensing requirements for their products. Failure to comply could result in penalties.
• Advertisers and promoters of feeding products: They must adhere to the Agency's advertising restrictions to avoid legal repercussions.
• Retailers of feeding products: They will need to ensure they only stock products that comply with the Agency’s standards.
• Families of infants and young children: They will benefit from clearer information and potentially safer, more nutritious products.
• Health professionals: They will likely be involved in advising the Agency and providing information to families.

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