Inflation holds baby formula hostage

While the economic crisis has been affecting billions of people around the world, things have been particularly difficult in the global south, including Pakistan which has been toiling under various economic sanctions as it faces its worst battle with inflation yet.

The latest victim of rising inflation in the country is formula milk, an essential item which has seen a 100 per cent increase in price, on top of 20 per cent addition in sales tax. Owing to which, thousands of formula feeding mothers have been put tenterhooks, struggling to afford the product for their babies. While there is a constant debate on whether baby formula is a necessity or not, parents who cannot breastfeed or rely on combination feed for various reasons including certain health conditions have been on the forefront of this crisis.

According to market surveys, international formula milk brands have seen the biggest leap in price. For example, NutriCo Morinaga, a brand associated with a Japanese dairy and food company, has increased its prices three times over the year. A 400 gramme BF-1 Infant formula can that costed Rs1,230 at the start of the year now retails for Rs1,590 as of June 19. Similarly, Nutr-x, another company that makes baby food has shot up prices across its formula line, bringing a 400 gramme tin of Nutrafil-1 from costing Rs1,380 to Rs,1655, while Neolac-1, a baby formula produced by Nuzzer Pharmaceuticals & Nutritions has gone up from retailing at Rs1,280 for a similar can to Rs1,649. Millac, a company that touts itself as Pakistan's premium dairy family has also upped its prices for baby food, per which its Omilac Stage-1 formula has gone from being priced at Rs545 to Rs590 for 200 grammes. The Searle Company Ltd, that produces NI-1 infant milk has surged the price of its formula from Rs1,480 at the start of the year to Rs1,597 for a 400 gramme pack, while Abbott’s Pediasure, which is a popular nutritional supplement for children between two to thirteen years has also succumbed to inflation, now costing at least Rs52 more for a 200 gramme pack.

Parents who rely on infant formula milk and nutritional supplements for their children’s nutritional needs, believe that a 100 per cent increase on top of 20 per cent additional taxes for such items is a cruel face of inflation. “Our children often do not have access to a balanced, nutritional diet which these items supplement. While there are also many parents who cannot breastfeed their young for various health-related reasons, so infant formulas and supplements are very much a necessity for the wellbeing of our children and the government should at least consider that before imposing additional taxes,” said one parent shopping formula milk in the port city.

The Pakistan Wholesale Chemists Association President Atif Billo while confirming the product prices has termed the increase as horrific. Per him, it is a consequence of the government’s inefficient financial policies for which parents are being made to pay a heavy toll. “The purchasing power of the common man is already severed by inflation. In such a scenario, it makes no sense to increases taxes on an essential item like baby food,” he added.

However, on the other hand, Professor Jamal Raza, an senior pediatrician believes that there is no substitute for mother’s milk, which should always be preferred over artificial formulas. “Mothers who can breastfeed should opt for it instead of feeding their babies formula milk. Breastfeeding is an essential part of child development, which not only fosters better psychological growth but also boosts immunity and provides vital nutrition,” he told The Express Tribune.