06/08/2021
*** Unscrupulous formula companies - one of the many reasons we need a World Breastfeeding Week ***
Those of us in the breastfeeding support world are often accused of being anti-formula and anti-formula feeding. That simply isn't true. It's a good thing we have formula, so it can be used when it's needed and to give parents a choice.
What we do have a major problem with is SOME formula companies.
These companies use unscrupulous tactics to sell their products, both here in the UK and across the world. For families in many areas this puts their baby at major risk of serious disease and even death. Because the safe use of formula relies on stringent hygiene practice, in places where there is not reliable access to clean running water, power or fuel for heating water, formula cannot be used safely. Also as formula is so expensive, many families cannot afford to use it as directed and water it down.
Formula companies know about these risks, and yet they will still use immoral tactics to dominate the market, or to create a market where there isn't one. This includes undermining breastfeeding, with some even infiltrating hospitals to target vulnerable mothers who have just given birth.
Tonight there is a free screening of a fantastic film based on a true story of a formula salesman taking on the giants. If you watch it, be prepared for ALL the emotions!
https://breastival.co.uk/events/movie-night-tigers/In
If you want to look into the ethics of the companies that make baby food and formula, here are some places to start:
https://thegoodshoppingguide.com/ethical-baby-food/
https://thegoodshoppingguide.com/subject/baby-food/
https://www.babymilkaction.org/
'What do we feed our kids?' with Dr Chris Van Tulleken (on BBC iPlayer) also looked into the tactics used by some of these companies, in this instance to sell junk foods to families in the Amazon. It's worth a watch.
It's a disgrace when companies put profit above people's health, and to do so even when it risks the life of a baby is abhorrent.
