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Administrative timetable

Interim report

8 November 2024: The CMA has published an interim report on its infant formula and follow-on formula market study setting out its provisional findings and possible options to address its emerging concerns.

The CMA invites responses on this interim report by 5pm, 29 November 2024.

• Executive summary (8.11.24)
• Interim report (8.11.24)
• Appendix A: regulatory and policy framework (8.11.24)
• Appendix B: the consumer journey (8.11.24)
• Appendix C: shares of supply methodology and additional provisional findings (8.11.24)
• Appendix D: pricing analysis methodology and additional provisional findings (8.11.24)
• Appendix E: margins methodology (8.11.24)
• Glossary (8.11.24)
• Experiences using infant formula and follow on formula qualitative research report (Thinks Insight & Strategy) (8.11.24)
• Press notice: Infant formula: CMA sets out concerns and potential solutions (8.11.24)

Responses to invitation to comment

8 November 2024: The CMA has published responses to its invitation to comment (published on 20.2.24) on its infant formula and follow-on formula market study.

• Anonymous response (PDF, 126KB) (8.11.24)
• Baby Feeding Law Group UK (compiled by First Steps Nutrition Trust) (PDF, 897KB) (8.11.24)
• Baby Milk Action, member of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) (PDF, 541KB) (8.11.24)
• British Dietetic Association (BDA) (PDF, 151KB) (8.11.24)
• Feed (PDF, 894KB) (8.11.24)
• The Food Foundation (PDF, 445KB) (8.11.24)
• Nestle UK Ltd (PDF,286KB) (8.11.24)
• Nutricia Limited trading as Danone UK (1,114KB) (8.11.24)
• Public Health Wales (PDF, 225KB) (8.11.24)
• Scottish Infant Feeding Advisor Network (SIFAN) (PDF, 425KB) (8.11.24)
• Professors Amandine Garde and Andrea Gideon, University of Liverpool (PDF, 418KB) (8.11.24)

Decision not to make a reference

16 August 2024: The CMA has decided not to make a market investigation reference at this stage. The CMA has identified significant concerns that the combined effect of the current regulatory framework, the behaviour of manufacturers and suppliers and the needs and reactions of people buying formula, are resulting in poor market outcomes.

The CMA considers these concerns will be best addressed by progressing with our market study and developing recommendations to governments to improve these market outcomes rather than moving to a more extensive market investigation. We expect to publish an interim report setting out our concerns along with provisional recommendations for action in October this year.

• Notice of decision not to make a market investigation reference (PDF, 91KB) (16.8.24)
• August 2024 update (PDF, 136KB) (16.8.24)

Update to timetable

26 July 2024: The CMA has updated its administrative timetable. Given the timing of the general election and the central role of government policy and regulation in this market, the CMA plans to publish an interim report on the market study in the autumn, and invite views on this. This will help to ensure that the CMA can effectively engage with the UK, Northern Ireland, Scottish and Welsh governments and provides parties the opportunity to submit views on the CMAs emerging thinking.

Launch of market study

20 February 2024: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is undertaking a market study into infant formula and follow-on formula in the UK.

We are inviting comments by 13 March 2024 from all interested parties on the issues raised in the invitation to comment.

• Market study notice (PDF, 151KB) (20.2.24)

• Invitation to comment (PDF, 321KB) (20.2.24)

• Press release: 