An anlysis of the economic and environmental impacts of commercial milk formula (CMF) in Indonesia, using Mothers Milk Tool (MMT) and Green Feeding Tool (GFT).
Event details
Time: 8:30-10:00am WIB // 12:30-2:00pm AEDT
Join in-person: McDonald Room, Menzies library, ANU
Join online: bit.ly/ISG_indonesiaproject
Abstract
The health importance of breastfeeding for infants, young children and their mothers is increasingly acknowledged but the economic and environmental impact of suboptimal breastfeeding is less recognised. Breastfeeding has been declining, and sales of commercial milk formula (CMF) are rising rapidly in East Asia Pacific Region, including Indonesia. This study aims to analyse the economic and environmental impacts of CMF in Indonesia, using Mothers Milk Tool (MMT) and Green Feeding Tool (GFT). These tools estimate countries’ production of human milk, and carbon and water footprints using UNICEF datasets on births and infant and young child feeding practices. The MMT analysis reveals a substantial economic loss from CMF displacing breastmilk in Indonesia: at least 62.4 million litres of breastmilk were lost in 2020 due to introduction of CMF among infants aged 0-6 months. The monetary value of breastmilk is US$45.5 billion annually. In 2020, 27,200 tonnes of CMF were sold in Indonesia, and the estimated loss of economic value was US$6.2 billion. The GFT estimated a carbon footprint of 214-272 million kg of CO2 and a water footprint of 92,460 million litres.
Thus, the current breastfeeding practices in Indonesia are associated with substantial economic production loss, as well as carbon and water footprints. We recommend including breastmilk in national food balance sheets to facilitate its inclusion in GDP, and strengthening advocacy for breastfeeding as a measure to improve the environment.
Image: flickr/nseika/6866706087
Event Speakers

Dr Andini Pramono
Andini Pramono was awarded her PhD in population health at the ANU in 2023. Using mixed methods, her PhD thesis examined the facilitator and barriers of BFHI in Australia and Indonesia. Andini is a Chief Investigator in a successful MRFF Maternal Health and Healthy Lifestyle grant.