Infant formula milk has come into the spotlight recently as the prices of premium formula milk products have risen 120% in the past 10 years in Singapore. The Government has set up a taskforce to look into this matter. I, too, have an interest in this subject as a new parent and I would like to share my thoughts in this article.

Causes of the rising prices

The Competition Commission of Singapore released a report and attributed the rising prices to increased research and development as well as marketing costs. I can understand that the marketing costs could be high because many brands compete for parents’ attention. Every now and then I do see a TV commercial regarding formula milk and its promised superhuman benefits.

However I disagree with the R&D argument. I don’t think R&D is done in every country, nor do the brands tailor the formula specially for the citizens.