In a Lancet series, experts express alarm over "exploitative" marketing of formula milk and advocate for restrictions.
Manufacturers of formula milk have come under fire from researchers for their deceptive marketing strategies. Political involvement and deceptive statements require immediate clampdowns. Researchers have criticized formula milk producers in a three-paper series that was published in The Lancet. They said that the marketing strategies are exploitative. And that immediate restriction are required to address false advertising and political meddling.
The findings detail the numerous, extremely effective tactics commercial formula manufacturers employ to influence lawmakers, medical experts, and parents. This is done to produce insufficient governmental policies that prevent millions of women from breastfeeding against advice.
Study into artificial formulas and discouraging breastfeeding:
Professor Nigel Rollins said that the research highlights the enormous economic and political power of the large formula milk companies. It also shows serious public policy failures that prevent millions of women from breastfeeding their children.
Along with measures to end deceptive formula milk marketing, initiatives are required in several spheres of society. Mothers need better support to continue breastfeeding for however long they choose.
The Lancet series urges far more social and healthcare systems to encourage breastfeeding, notably by ensuring enough paid maternity leave. The Baby Killer investigative study exposing Nestle’s marketing of formula milk in poor and middle-income countries sparked the movement. The WHA created the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes in 1981 due to the study.
The first article in the Lancet series describes how deceptive marketing promises that commercial milk products reduce fussiness or screaming. For instance, they claim it helps with colic or lengthens nighttime sleep. This direct prey on parents’ concerns about typical newborn behaviors.
World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the series “explains how formula milk marketing takes advantage of government’s and society’s lack of support for breastfeeding while exploiting gender politics to sell its goods.”
The television show emphasizes the industry’s ability to sway national political outcomes. And it blatantly obstructs international regulatory procedures as well.
Parvathy Sukumaran 
