A year after the American Academy of Pediatrics flagged “questionable marketing practices” by makers of formulas for older infants and toddlers, Abbott Laboratories is being sued over the way it introduced such products.
Illinois-based health care products group Abbott misled parents and other caregivers about the nutritional value of its sugar-laden infant milk, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday by the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) against the maker of Similac formula. doing. ,
Marketed for consumption by children aged 12 to 36 months, infant milk is portrayed as the next step for young children after being overtaken by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved infant formula. . Yet, unlike infant formula, baby milk products are not regulated by the FDA and are potentially harmful. To PHAI is a nonprofit legal research center housed at Northeastern University School of Law.
According to PHAI's lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, baby milk sales nationwide have averaged more than $500 million a year.
“More than just unnecessary, baby milk products can actually be harmful to a child's nutritional health,” said George Fuchs, M.D., a medical doctor and professor of pediatric gastroenterology in the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics. “Added sugar can increase a child's preference for sweet foods, which may contribute to obesity and other health risks throughout life,” said Fuchs, who leads the AAP. report On children's milk.
Bearing the same labels as the FDA-regulated infant formulas and sold on the same store shelves, Abbott's “Go & Grow Toddler Drink by Similac” and “Pure Bliss Toddler Drink by Similac” are labeled “Stage 3”, which means Meaning they are the next nutritionally recommended product. The lawsuit alleges that “Phase 1” infant formula and “Phase 2” transitional formula followed.
Dr. Jennifer Harris, senior research advisor, said, “Common practices in the marketing of baby milk, including unproven nutrition claims and packaging that looks like infant formula, lead parents and other caregivers to believe that “Children's milk provides nutritional benefits for their young children.” Marketing Initiative at the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health.
Experts including the American Academy of Pediatrics Recommended for children above 12 months Water and plain cow's milk should be given.
Abbott did not immediately respond to requests for comment.