In response to a call for ways in which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could advance the health needs of children, the United States Breastfeeding Committee submitted a letter detailing its concerns with the safety and efficacy of infant formula. In summary, the Committee seeks:
1. Adequate testing of new ingredients prior to their addition to infant formula and updated FDA review and approval procedures for those ingredients.
2. Close monitoring for adverse reactions to the products and a public report of those reactions.
3. Review and any necessary repudiation of the health claims made in the marketing of formula.
4. Advice to …read more

Ever since the first artificial baby milk became commercially available in 1867, the infant formula makers have battled for market share — battled amongst themselves and battled against breastfeeding. At times it seems like breastfeeding is losing that battle in spite of a clearly superior “product” and a price that can’t be beat! Why is that? Well, when we examine why breastfeeding rates are not where we would like them to be, we can certainly look to questionable birth and hospital practices, poor breastfeeding support, and lack of proper education in the medical community. In the end though, the battle …read more