On December 24, 2024, ProPublica reported on new regulations in Thailand that will “force baby formula companies to stop advertising, giveaways and discounts for so-called toddler milk.” This advancement is seen as a huge success for Thailand, which has been attempting to regulate such advertisements and discounts since 2017.
While a wide range of products will be impacted by the new regulations, the major focus of Thailand’s work to regulate has been on toddler milks. As reported, “[Back in 2017] formula makers like Mead Johnson asked U.S. trade officials to intervene [on regulation attempts], setting off a 15-month diplomatic and political pressure campaign that resulted in an exemption for toddler milk ads.” This intervention continued forward to the 2017 World Trade Organization meeting, where the U.S. publicly shamed Thai health officials for proposing regulations on toddler milks.
Notably, in 2024, “the U.S. took a different approach. In a letter to Thai authorities, officials said the U.S. “supports Thailand’s objective to prevent deceptive marketing practices thereby protecting the health and wellbeing of both infants and young children.”
Despite this change of tune from the U.S., Thailand continues to face backlash from large trade groups, including the US-ASEAN Business Council and the Infant Nutrition Council of America.
Regardless of this push back, Thailand continues to press forward and advocate for the health and well being of infants and toddlers, with the regulations set to take effect in July.
Original ProPublica Article: https://www.propublica.org/article/thailand-bans-advertising-toddler-milk