Action Alert for Americans: Stop empty hype about formula and more...

My regular readers will know that I have a lot to say about misleading, inappropriate, unethical and sneaky claims by infant formula companies.  While we need to continue to put pressure on formula companies to change their business practices, the most effective way to ensure a change is to have legislation passed and enforced that protects babies.

If you are an American, this is your opportunity to tell your Senator that you have had enough. The Child Nutrition Act is being debated and renewed by Congress and MomsRising is encouraging Americans to write to their senators. Whether you are concerned about moms being misled by hyped up claims or a taxpayer that is concerned about your tax dollars paying for these hyped up ingredients through the WIC program, this is your opportunity to have your voice heard.

See the MomsRising.org page for more information and for a sample letter to send to your Senator.

Stop Empty Hype and Keep Babies Healthy!

While you're at it, you can also urge your senator to protect kids from BPA.

Comments

[Elita @ Blacktating]

My understanding is that this legislation will only affect WIC food packages and will allow WIC to opt out of buying the formula with functional ingredients if there is no science to back up the formula company claims. While that is a great thing (the cost of formula shouldn't be eating up the WIC budget) it won't change the marketing practices you see on TV and in magazines. Of course, currently in the United States, almost half of the children ages 0-5 are currently on WIC, but I still think the mere fact that they are receiving brand name formula will make them more inclined to shell out extra for the brand name at the store once their WIC formula runs out.

[phdinparenting]

Elita:

My understanding is that the MomsRising is asking that the Child Nutrition Act include a requirement for independent scientific reviews of formula and its "functional ingredients". While the main reason for doing so under the legislation would be to save WIC money, it would also provide parents and breastfeeding advocates with important independent scientific information to counter the claims made by formula companies. Since there is lots of money behind the formula company's "science" and their marketing, having this independent research funded by the government would provide an important source of scientific information for the breastfeeding cause which often cannot compete financially with the formula companies.

Here is a quote from the letter that they are proposing people send:

The government has estimated that these “functional ingredients” cost WIC $91 million annually. And empty advertising claims undermine evidence-based messages like "breastfeeding is best for babies." That’s why it’s so important for USDA to get expert advice based on an independent, systematic review of the research, which will be published for all consumers to see. An independent review of "functional ingredients" could save the taxpayers and the average new parent a lot of money while also making sure that all babies get the products that really offer benefits.

So, no, it won't directly change the marketing practices seen on TV and magazines, except that there will be more good information to refute it.

[john]

thanks.

[Matt]

That, in my opinion, is one of the biggest reasons so many women don't breastfeed. There is all this propaganda making them believe that formula is just as good. I hope one of these days formula companies aren't allowed to send so many free samples and advertising themselves as "just-as-good."

[Courtney]

I went home from the hospital with ice packs for my breasts with Enfamil printed all over....hmmmm....pro-breastfeeding hospital? I think not.

[Anita]

Thanks so much for posting about this. We really appreciate it. Hope to be able to follow up with good news on this after everyone takes action.

Anita, MomsRising.org