Baby Brent’s Bill

This bill aims to protect preterm infants and their families by directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to address potentially unfair or deceptive advertising and marketing practices for preterm infant formula. Congress emphasizes the importance of fully informing parents, the general safety of human milk-based fortifiers, and the critical need for families to seek compensation when harm occurs, particularly concerning necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

The legislation mandates the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the advertising and marketing of preterm infant formula, identifying deceptive practices. This includes examining materials that may exclude crucial labeling information about potential health risks or fail to highlight differences between human milk-based and bovine-based fortifiers.

After submitting a report to Congress, the FTC must promulgate regulations within 18 months to prohibit identified unfair or deceptive acts by manufacturers or importers. These regulations will specifically address the omission of health risks and comparisons between fortifier types, and will be enforced under the Federal Trade Commission Act to ensure strong consumer protection.