FOOD giants are heaping pain on struggling families by ramping up the price of baby formula.
It means Healthy Start vouchers no longer cover the cost of even the cheapest versions on the market.
There are now calls for the competition watchdog to investigate the manufacturers.
The cost of the cheapest brand — Aldi’s Mamia range — has risen 34 per cent in two years from £6.99 to £9.39 for an 800g tin, according to First Step Nutrition.
Meanwhile, big brands such as Aptamil, Cow & Gate, SMA and HiPP have hiked prices by up to 31 per cent.
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SMA’s Advanced Milk now costs £17.50 for 800g.
Healthy Start vouchers — introduced in 2006 to help low- income families — have not risen in line with inflation and, at £8.50 a week, no longer cover the cost of the cheapest tin.
Vicky Sibson, director at First Step Nutrition, said: “Formula is typically really expensive to buy — and the price gap between brands is enormous.
“This is unjustified, especially when there are clear signs that formula companies have been protecting their profits while raising prices.”
A spokesman for Danone, which makes Aptamil and Cow & Gate formula milk, said: “We’ve tried to absorb costs wherever we can so we can offer the best value to parents.”
- HELP struggling families by donating money or children’s clothing, nappies, cots and toys to our Baby, Bank On Us campaign at www.thesun.co.uk/ topic/baby-bank-on-us/