Profits Before Health? New Zealand Government Rejection of Stricter Infant Formula Marketing Standards and the Lobbying Behind It

In 2024, the New Zealand (NZ) government made a rare departure from the joint food standards programme with Australia, administered by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). This paper presents a timely case study of how transnational dairy and baby food corporations lobbied the NZ government to reject updated infant formula standards, despite strong evidence and support across Australia for reform. Globally, transnational corporations dominate commercial milk formula industry, and industry and utilise lobbying strategies to delay and limit regulation. Drawing on original data from official information act requests, we examine the political dynamics surrounding infant formula regulation and the implications for breastfeeding protection and health governance in the region. Despite FSANZ's evidence-based decisions to improve labelling, restrict health claims, and enhance consumer protection, NZ bowed to the lobbying pressure of key companies who had cited risks to exports, jobs and future product development. Lobbying by these companies targeted the Prime Minister and key ministers, demonstrating a remarkable level of access and influence. This case exposes the weaknesses in NZ's political transparency laws, where no mandatory lobbying registers and reporting requirements exist. We conclude that it is crucial for governments to make policy decisions without the influence of the baby food industry and provide a strong argument for better regulation of corporate lobbying. Infant and young child health must be prioritised over profit.