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Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula (APMAIF)

Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula (APMAIF) guidelines for lodging complaints of alleged breaches of the MAIF Agreement

The following guidelines are for lodging complaints of alleged breaches of the MAIF Agreement and are intended to assist both complainants and subject companies to ensure that a fair and full review is conducted.

PDF printable version of Guidelines for lodging complaints (PDF 60 KB)

About APMAIF

The Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula (APMAIF) is a non-statutory advisory panel appointed by the Australian Government in 1992 to monitor compliance with, and advise the Government on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement 1992 (MAIF Agreement).

The MAIF Agreement

The MAIF Agreement is a voluntary self-regulatory code of conduct between the manufacturers and importers of infant formula in Australia. It is Australia’s response to the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes 1981 (WHO Code). The MAIF Agreement applies to those Australian manufacturers and importers of infant formula who are signatories to the MAIF Agreement.

The MAIF Agreement aims to contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and by ensuring the proper use of breast milk substitutes, when they are necessary, on the basis of adequate information through appropriate marketing and distribution.

The marketing activities of retailers including pharmacies and supermarkets are outside the scope of the MAIF Agreement. Toddler milk products for toddlers over 12 months of age, and baby food, feeding bottles, teats and dummies are also outside the scope of the MAIF Agreement.

Who can lodge a complaint?

Individuals, members of industry, community and consumer groups are able to lodge a complaint alleging a breach of the MAIF Agreement with the APMAIF Secretariat.

What you should do before lodging a complaint with APMAIF?

Whenever possible, complainants should contact the subject company or organisation prior to lodging a complaint with APMAIF, as a satisfactory explanation or solution may be immediately available.

Lodging a complaint

When lodging a complaint, the APMAIF requires the complainant to complete a Complaint Form for each complaint. All fields of the Complaint Form should be completed before a complaint can be considered.

The Complaint Process

Complaints that are considered to be within the scope of the MAIF Agreement are presented to the APMAIF for its consideration. Once a final decision has been made by the APMAIF, advice is sent to the complainant and subject company informing them of the outcome.

Where to send complaints

APMAIF Secretariat
Department of Health and Ageing
MDP 15 GPO Box 9848
CANBERRA ACT 2601
PHONE: (02) 6289 7358

Email: apmaif@health.gov.au
www: health.gov.au/apmaif