You know what? The price increase for formula is not anywhere near the ceiling just yet. It is still on-going as we speak. Everytime I go to the store to replenish the formula, the shopkeeper has never failed to give me a little heads-up about the next price increase. The last round we were there, on top of being told of the impending price increase, we were also informed that the new stocks would come in a slightly smaller package. To be exact, it would come in 50 grams less for an increase of 5% in price. This is getting rather exorbitant but what choice do parents have?
Anyway, going back to the article I read today, it’s reproduced here, taken from The Star.
Pricey infant formula forces substitute feeding
BUTTERWORTH: Some poor parents are substituting pricey infant formula with diluted condensed milk, rock sugar water, black coffee and plain tea, to feed their infants and toddlers.
Malaysia Hindu Sangam (Penang) Social and Welfare Committee chairman P. Murugiah said parents with low income of under RM1,500 and with an average of three children, have reduced feeding infant formula from five times a day to only twice a day.
“They substitute the remaining feeding periods with other drinks,” he said.
He claimed that poor mothers could not produce breast milk as they were undernourished.
“The price of infant formula has gone up by about 80% in the last two years, with one brand rising from RM9 to RM16.50 per 650gm,” Murugiah said.
He said the sangam and a few other non-governmental organisations have been giving milk powder aid to at least 30 families since last year.
“We believe there are more families who need such aid,” he said.
Murugiah urged the Government to help set up a scheme to make infant milk more affordable to such families.
He said the plight of these families would worsen if the Government removed essential grocery items from its price control list.
“Basic items, such as rice, sugar and flour should be made affordable especially to this group of people.
“The Government should introduce a ration card system, such as is practised in India, to allow the lower income group to buy essential food items at reduced prices,” he said.
