African Americans have some of the lowest rates of breastfeeding. That means more of our infants are formula fed. Understanding the benefits of breastfeeding and the nutritional quality of breast milk substitutes is critical to improving infant and early childhood health outcomes in the Black community.
A new study from The Changing Markets Foundation shows that most infant formula claims, such as preventing allergies or promoting better sleep, are not actually based on scientific evidence, but are used primarily to boost profits. The report, called Milking It—How Milk Formula Companies Are Putting Profits Before Science, reviewed over 400 breast milk substitute products in 14 countries, and concluded that the increasing product differentiation is not science-based at all, but instead informed by careful market research into consumer preferences, guided by a desire to boost profits. The report calls for a comprehensive overhaul of infant formula products and their regulation so that only those based on unequivocal scientific advice are sold.
The research is the first-of-its kind report to investigate the differences between breast milk substitute products produced by the world’s four largest manufacturers: Nestle, Danone, Mead Johnson Nutrition (maker of Enfamil) and Abbott (maker of Similac). The study found that instead of research, companies use very sophisticated market research and social media to primarily gauge consumer affordability and willingness as the key determinant of additional ingredients and nutritional claims. That means if a company determines through its market research, that for example, customers in a certain region will pay a higher price for a formula that claims to, limit colic or soften stools, for example, then they will create that even though the nutritional quality is not much different than their base product. Meanwhile, the study found that while the companies often claim these benefits are based on “the best nutritional science available”, that that was rarely the case.
Infant formula companies are not public health companies—they are corporate entities with shareholder demands and profit expectations to meet. “Infant formula makers, soda companies—these are not social service agencies. They are businesses whose primary job is to produce dividends for investors,” said Marion Nestle, author and professor of nutrition at New York University.
The study also found that regulation of these claims and the actual ingredients was lax across many countries. In the U.S., the government does not require infant formula companies to disclose the added sugar content of all formulas, yet some independent studies found some brands had up to 13.5 grams of sugar per serving, equivalent to half the amount of sugar in a eight-ounce Red Bull.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) all recommend breastmilk as the healthiest source of infant nutrition. This is particularly important for Black infants because breastmilk…
…reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes, obesity — serious issues in our community — as well as reduces the risk of ear infections, respiratory infections and provides unparalleled immunological benefits.
However, structural barriers such as the lack of a federal paid maternity leave means that women in the U.S are often returning to work two to three weeks after giving birth. That’s a real barrier to successfully establishing and maintaining a breastfeeding supply and relationship. Cultural barriers going back to our role as wet nurses during slavery to the hyper sexualization of black women’s bodies has contributed to breastfeeding being less accepted in our communities.
In low income communities, WIC remains the largest distributor of “free” infant formula, despite many recent efforts to encourage and improve breastfeeding support. Over 60% of babies born in the U.S. are WIC eligible.
Moreover, for over 40 years there has been a racial disparity in breastfeeding rates. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control, 75% of white women initiate breastfeeding versus to 60% of black women, and when it comes to breastfeeding for six months, the rate is 46% among whites and 30% among black women.
Recent efforts such as the national Black Breastfeeding Week and social media outlets such as Black Women Do Breastfeed, are helping to shift that narrative. Black babies deserve the healthiest infant nutrition possible. When a mother’s own breast milk, or donor human milk is not available, then parents should be aware of the nutritional quality of infant formula and when industries put profits over infant health.
Kimberly Seals Allers is an award-winning journalist and author. A former writer at Fortune and former senior editor at Essence magazine, Kimberly is a frequent contributor to The New York Times, Washington Post and Fortune. com on motherhood and infant health issues. Her fifth book, The Big Letdown—How Medicine, Big Business and Feminism Undermine Breastfeeding was released by St. Martin’s Press this year. A graduate of NYU and Columbia University, Kimberly lives in New York City with her children. Learn more at www.KimberlySealsAllers.com and follow her on Twitter at @iamKSealsAllers.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
