Baby formulas are mainly available in supermarkets, franchise stores and online stores in China. Now, the distribution channel is expended to pharmacies according to a notice published by CFDA on 18 Dec 2013, who meeting certain requirements can apply for the government permit to trail sales of baby formula on a voluntary basis. The move echoes the navigating policy released by the State council in Jun that baby formula in China would be subject to the same stringent management with drugs (CL news on 28 Jun 2013).
A CIQ official told ChemLinked that this policy shift would eventually require all infant formula on the Chinese market to be sold through drug stores or other stores with certificates and reliable product sources. Farmers’ markets and grocery stores with unstable sources of baby formula products and providing products of no quality assurance will be deprived of the right to sell baby milk powder.
Pharmacies are required to regulate the purchasing, storage and sales of baby formula by referring to operation and quality management system for drug. Staff need to be equipped with expertise of the baby formula products and relevant regulations and standards and be able to offer professional guide to consumers.
However, industry insiders challenge the move by stating that “the quality of baby formula isn’t decided by the sales channel but by production process and the quality of milk source and raw materials”. The concern is likely to be largely relieved since the government has issued much stricter rules for licensing of domestic baby formula manufacturers (CL news on 17 Dec 2013). A national campaign is to be launched to re-examine the production conditions of baby formula producers in China in line with updated requirements for getting a new production license.
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