The price of baby formula has been going up, making it hard for parents to afford it. Emma Davies, a single mom, finds it difficult to buy formula for her 13-week-old baby. Even though it's expensive, she doesn't want to buy cheaper options because she wants the best for her child. Other parents feel the same way and are willing to make sacrifices to make sure their kids have enough to eat. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says that formula prices have gone up by 25% in the last two years, which means the companies that make formula are making a lot of money.

There are two big companies that dominate the baby formula market: Danone, which owns Aptamil and Cow & Gate, and Nestle, which owns SMA and Little Steps. These companies control 85% of the market, so it's hard to find other brands. The CMA says that parents could save £500 in the first year of their baby's life by trying different options. But some parents worry that cheaper brands might not be as good for their babies. Professor Amy Brown, who knows a lot about babies' health, says that all infant formulas have to follow strict rules to make sure they have the right nutrients.

Some parents might not want to switch to cheaper brands because they think that higher prices mean better quality. But that's not always true. In the UK, it's against the law to advertise formula for babies under six months old, because they want to encourage breastfeeding. Stores also can't promote special deals on formula, but they can do it for formula for older babies. Some supermarkets, like Iceland, want the rules to change so that parents have more choices and don't have to spend so much money.

There aren't many store brands of formula available right now, which makes the problem worse. The only supermarket that has its own brand of formula is Aldi, and it's called Mamia. People who want to help families are asking other stores to do the same thing and make cheaper options. The cost of formula, along with other things like bills and rent, is putting a lot of pressure on families. Sophie Livingstone, who runs a charity called Little Village HQ, says that families are having a hard time and have to make tough choices, like watering down formula or using fewer diapers, because they don't have enough money.

The CMA is looking into the baby formula market and will give an update in the middle of 2024. More and more families are asking for help from charities like Little Village HQ, which shows that things are getting harder for them. The cost of living keeps going up, which makes it even more difficult for parents to take care of their kids.

Original news source: Baby formula soaring costs: 'I struggle, but I won’t buy a cheaper brand' (BBC)

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask each group to summarize the main points of the article in their own words. Afterward, have each group share their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write the following question on the board: "Do you think parents should switch to cheaper brands of baby formula to save money?" Have the students individually write down their answer and a brief explanation. Then, divide the class into small groups and have them discuss their opinions and reasons. Finally, have a class discussion where students share their opinions and try to reach a consensus.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board (e.g. formula, dominate, nutrients, advertise, charity). Divide the class into teams. One student from each team comes to the board and chooses a word. They must then draw a picture to represent the word, while their team tries to guess the word. The team with the most correct guesses wins.
– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a set amount of time (e.g. 1 minute) to summarize the article to their partner. After the time is up, have the pairs switch roles and summarize again. Repeat this process several times, gradually reducing the amount of time given. This activity helps students practice summarizing skills and improves fluency.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: In small groups, have the students discuss and make predictions about the future of the baby formula market. For example, will prices continue to rise? Will more store brands be introduced? Will the CMA make any significant changes? Each group should discuss their predictions and provide reasons to support them. Afterward, have a class discussion where groups share their predictions and discuss the likelihood of each one.

The price of baby formula has been going up, making it hard for parents to ? it. Emma Davies, a single mom, finds it difficult to buy formula for her 13-week-old baby. Even though it's expensive, she doesn't want to buy cheaper options because she wants the best for her ?. ? parents feel the same way and are willing to make sacrifices to make sure their kids have enough to eat. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) says that formula prices have gone up by 25% in the last two ?, which means the companies that make formula are making a lot of money. There are two big companies that dominate the baby formula market: Danone, which owns Aptamil and Cow & Gate, and Nestle, which owns SMA and Little Steps. These companies control 85% of the market, so it's hard to find other brands. The CMA says that ? could save £500 in the first year of their baby's life by trying different options. But some parents worry that cheaper brands might not be as good for their babies. Professor Amy Brown, who knows a lot about babies' health, says that all infant formulas have to follow ? rules to make sure they have the right nutrients. Some parents might not want to ? to cheaper brands because they think that ? prices mean better quality. But that's not always true. In the UK, it's against the law to ? formula for babies under six months old, because they want to encourage ?. ? also can't promote special deals on formula, but they can do it for formula for older babies. Some supermarkets, like Iceland, want the rules to change so that parents have more choices and don't have to spend so much money. There aren't many store brands of formula available right now, which makes the problem worse. The only supermarket that has its own brand of formula is Aldi, and it's called Mamia. People who want to help families are asking other stores to do the same ? and make cheaper options. The cost of formula, along with other things like bills and rent, is putting a lot of pressure on families. Sophie Livingstone, who runs a ? called Little Village HQ, says that families are having a hard time and have to make tough choices, like ? down formula or using fewer diapers, because they don't have enough money. The CMA is looking into the baby formula market and will give an ? in the middle of 2024. More and more families are asking for help from ? like Little Village HQ, which shows that things are getting harder for them. The cost of living keeps going up, which makes it even more difficult for parents to take care of their kids.

1. What is baby formula and why do parents use it?
2. How would you feel if you couldn't afford to buy formula for your baby?
3. Do you think it's important for parents to buy the most expensive formula for their babies? Why or why not?
4. What are some sacrifices that parents might have to make to ensure their kids have enough to eat?
5. What do you think about the fact that formula prices have gone up by 25% in the last two years?
6. Do you think it's fair that only two big companies dominate the baby formula market? Why or why not?
7. Why do you think some parents are hesitant to switch to cheaper brands of formula?
8. Do you think higher prices always mean better quality? Why or why not?
9. What do you think about the law in the UK that prohibits advertising formula for babies under six months old?
10. Should supermarkets be allowed to promote special deals on formula for babies? Why or why not?
11. Why do you think there aren't many store brands of formula available right now?
12. Do you think other supermarkets should follow Aldi's example and create their own brand of formula? Why or why not?
13. How do you think the cost of formula, along with other expenses, affects families?
14. What do you think the CMA should do to address the issues in the baby formula market?
15. How do you think the rising cost of living affects parents' ability to take care of their kids?

Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
Check your writing now with the best free AI for English writing!