Tuesday
Jun292010
What is the gold standard in infant nutrition?
Tuesday, June 29, 2010 
I'm pretty sure evidence says the gold standard in infant nutrition is breast milk. Even Nestlé pretends to agree with that. But for some reason Nestlé is telling health care workers in Dubai that its formula is the new "Gold Standard" in infant nutrition.I'm confused. Aren't you?
More info: See "updates" section of Baby Milk Action's e-mail Nestlé campaign page.
Reader Comments (16)
False and grossly misleading advertising perpetuated by all the formula companies (not just Nestle) robs expecting and new mothers of the opportunity to make a truly informed feeding decision, whether they choose to breastfeed or formula feed. Given that there is a profound lack of sufficient regulation of formula advertising, what do you readers think can be done to fight this booby trap?
can't seem to find the link to Dubai marketing, only something about Egypt. I'd love to see the dubai ads as I live here and can speak more intelligently about it if my info is accurate. thanks.
seeing as how Islam says mothers should breastfeed for 2 years, it surprises me that any GCC country would allow formula adverts of any kind prior to that age.
On the link provided, there is an "Update" section that includes the same graphic that I included in this post. It is higher up than the section on Egypt. It is right under the form to send an e-mail to Dr. Gayle Crozier-Willi.
Have you seen this US commercial? It makes me really sick inside.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1druswHrqo
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are supposed to regulate infant formula advertising. Any time deceptive advertising for formula is seen it should be reported to the FTC at www.ftc.gov. If thousands of complaints are received maybe the FTC will realize that it has slacked off on its job of protecting infants in the US.
I'm not the least bit confused. They're lying again. Nothing new about that.
Wow, on their site they really make a big deal about talking about how WHO compliant they are...but how is that even possible with marketing strategies like the "gold standard in infant nutrition" statement?! It is sooooooo two-faced!
I wish I were surprised, but I'm not. It's not even confusing at this point, so much as predictable obfuscation. And another example of why I'm not buying another Nestle product if I can avoid it.
Just saw that the NRDC is suing the FDA over lack of regulation of BPA. Who will sue the FDA and the FTC over lack of regulation of infant formula advertising?
Although things are improving for breastfeeding mums here in Singapore, you won't believe how many people are still so deluded by formula companies and their super-aggressive marketing. I received bagfuls of formula samples at the hospital when I delivered both my sons. The women in my family were so suspicious of my decision to breastfeed my boys and kept offering to buy tins of formula for them. Obviously they thought that breastfeeding was only for families who can't afford formula!! I was formula-fed because my mother thought that breastmilk lacked nutrition. Thanks formula companies!
The LLLI group here shut down and there's a rise in elective c-sections (due to fear of childbirth) AND formula use. Someone needs to do something!!
What? I hadn't seen this commercial on TV (of course I rarely watch TV but still...) How does that pass any test to protect the public from deceptive advertising? (sigh)
Who ever believes the reports and press releases from any of these profit driven companies? Breast is still the best.
I shouldn't be surprised or shocked about this. But yet, I was. How much lower will they sink?
[...] PhD in Parenting: What is the Gold Standard in Infant Nutrition? Oh dear, Nestle wouldn’t be using misleading marketing again. [...]
[...] out doublespeak or missing information in their responses. Since then, I have continued to write a variety of posts on issues related to Nestlé and on my decision and the decision of others with regards to [...]
I’m not buying another Nestle product if I can avoid it.