This is a national service: our other services are London-only.
The British HIV Association (BHIVA) recommends that parents living with HIV formula feed infants up to 12 months to eliminate all risk of HIV transmission postpartum. They advise that women/birthing parents who want to breast/chestfeed can be supported to do so under specific circumstances with close medical supervision. However, it is important this decision is made on medical and preference grounds, and cost and affordability of infant formula should not be part of the decision making for parents on how to feed their infants.
December 2025’s HIV Action Plan announced funding for free formula milk for the babies of all parents living with HIV in England. In July 2026, DHSC granted funding to Chiva, the charity supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young adults living with HIV, for the continuation of the existing formula supply administered by Chiva and The Food Chain. Having worked in partnership for over 5 years, both charities are delighted to continue this vital work together to ensure that no child is left behind in England’s HIV prevention plans.
Referrals for formula milk provision for mothers/birthing parents living with HIV can be made directly to The Food Chain through our secure online system. You must be referred to access this service – if you are a parent please contact your health or social care professional. To gain access, simply email referrals@foodchain.org.uk to be set up.
Once the referral is made, parents will be contacted for telephone assessment from our HIV Specialist Nutritionist Ornella Trinidade (ANutr) within 5 working days. The telephone assessment is a chance to introduce our charity; confirm the information provided in the referral and gain a greater understanding of the family’s needs. Once the assessment is completed, they will receive their first formula milk delivery along with a starter pack containing bottles, steriliser kit and some pre-mixed formula bottles. After this, they will be called roughly once a month to arrange delivery of ongoing formula milk.
Email referrals@foodchain.org.uk to be set up as a referrer for our national formula milk service.
To access The Food Chain’s services, you must be referred.