Australia’s Infant Formula Industry Takes Centre Stage at World’s Largest Baby Expo
Australia’s Infant Formula Industry Takes Centre Stage at World’s Largest Baby Expo
- The Infant Nutrition Council and Austrade unite to champion role of local industry and strengthen Asia-Pacific relations
- Meeting coincides with world’s largest Baby Expo in Shanghai 22-24 July and in wake of new Chinese regulations affecting infant formula manufacturers
- INC leader reaffirms positive trade relationship with China, a market whose infant formula industry exceeds $13.3 billion, and continues to grow1
22 July, 2014: The voice of the Australian and New Zealand infant nutrition industry, the Infant Nutrition Council (INC) is uniting with The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) to reaffirm the stability and credibility of the local industry on the international stage in China today, at the world’s largest Maternity and Baby Expo in Shanghai.
Australia’s presence at the Expo is significant. With China fast becoming the biggest consumer of dairy products globally and Australia a major exporter to the region, the need for strong trade relations is both timely and important.
According to Jan Carey, Infant Nutrition Council CEO, the recent introduction of the regulations by Chinese authorities, which will require those selling infant formula to have close links to the manufacturer, will have major implications for local producers.
“We welcome any and all efforts to increase confidence of Chinese and local consumers in our infant formula products. The INC is committed to working with government to instil faith in the integrity of our industry. We know that currently Chinese consumers trust our products and we want to ensure that this relationship remains strong,” said Ms Carey.
Broadly, the new regulations ensure that infant formula exporters can be traced directly back to the manufacturers of the product. Currently, four Australian manufacturers are registered exporters while in New Zealand, the manufacturers already registered represent approximately 90 per cent of all of the country’s infant formula exports by volume.
Ms Liu Bing, Austrade’s Trade Commissioner in Shanghai said, “China is the biggest importer of dairy products in the world, and so is an important trade partner for our industry. This visit and work by the INC in China is important to maintaining our reputation as a provider of high quality infant formula products that Chinese consumers can trust.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to work with the INC in China as part of our overall efforts to expand the market for Australian dairy products,” she said
This is the second visit to the Shanghai Maternity and Baby Expo by the Infant Nutrition Council, whose exhibit will stand in the Australian National Pavilion, coordinated by the Australian Trade Commission. The Expo attracts over 65,000 visitors and 1,700 exhibitors from across the globe with brands spanning across infant clothing and toys to health and education.
The INC hopes to maintain its leadership in conversations about local interpretations of infant formula marketing codes, where it advocates for the best nutrition for babies based on protecting and promoting breastfeeding and ensuring the proper use of breast milk substitutes, especially as Chinese demand for products continues to soar.
Note to editors: The INC has recently launched an educational video showcasing its core principles and aims, available for use here:
https://vimeo.com/101044877 (English version)
https://vimeo.com/101051982 (Chinese subtitled version)
References
- AgroChart. January 2014. ‘China’s baby formula market’. Available from: http://www.agrochart.com/en/news/news/110114/chinas-baby-formula-market/ (last accessed 15/07/14).
”We appreciate the opportunity to work with the INC in China as part of our overall efforts to expand the market for Australian dairy products
Jan CareyCEO INC
For further information contact Jan Carey 00 61 412 514 735
About the Infant Nutrition Council
The Infant Nutrition Council Ltd (INC) is the association for the infant formula industry in Australia and New Zealand. Its 41 members produce over 95% of the volume of infant formula manufactured, sold and exported in New Zealand. INC plays a key role in ensuring compliance and safety in the industry. All members abide by a Code of Conduct that provides direction on industry issues, including the support of breastfeeding, food regulations and standards, food safety issues, and company representatives’ conduct and activities. INC advocates for optimal nutrition for all infants: breastfeeding first, and, when needed, infant formula as the only suitable alternative. INC members include A2 Milk, Abbott Nutrition, Aspen Nutritionals, Bayer, Danone Nutricia, Fonterra, HJ Heinz, Nestle, Synlait. Associate members include NIG Nutritionals, Westland, Dairy Goat Co-operative, Bodco, Fresco, GMP, New Zealand New Milk, Spring Sheep Milk, Winston, Yashili. Website:www.infantnutritioncouncil.com
