The Truth About Infant Formula: Breast Milk is the Gold Standard

GORDONSVILLE, Va., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ — Medical and scientific communities agree that breast milk is best for babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes it as the gold standard in infant nutrition. Although companies tout their formula brands as offering the same benefits as breast milk, none do. Infant formula is a safe alternative, but more people need to know the truth behind this breast-milk substitute, especially when coping with guilt.

“Many women are unable to breastfeed for the duration of the first twelve months, especially if they are on medication, have multiple births, or must return to work during these difficult economic times,” said Dr. Barbara Levine, Weill Cornell Medical College. “These moms often experience feelings of guilt if they choose not to breastfeed, so they purchase expensive formula. But very few really know the truth about infant formula.”

All infant formulas marketed in the United States are subject to the same exacting standards of the FDA, pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980 and the subsequent LSRO report commissioned by FDA in 1998. This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formulas sold in the United States meet minimum and maximum nutrient specifications.

“Buying a heavily marketed, expensive, brand-name infant formula from a big pharmaceutical company does not get your baby any closer to human breast milk than a store-brand formula,” added Dr. Levine. “Mothers can choose to supplement their breast milk with any formula because all formulas are regulated by FDA and nutritionally equivalent.”

Store-brand formulas, which are labeled with the names of retail-store brands, are as nutritionally complete as name-brand formulas. Sold at more than 35,000 retailers, grocery stores, and drugstores such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, and Babies “R” Us, store brands typically save parents up to 50 percent on formula.

The store-brand message is set to become even more important for many mothers because of changes in the Women, Infants and Children program. As of October 1, 2009, a new WIC initiative aimed at increasing breastfeeding rates among families reallocates funding for all currently provided foods, including infant formula, baby foods, juices, and fresh fruits and vegetables. This program could mean a reduction of up to 20 percent in infant-formula subsidies; parents who previously had most of their formula paid for by WIC may now have to purchase formula on their own.

For more information, visit www.storebrandformula.com.

Contact: info@storebrandformula.com

SOURCE StoreBrandFormula.com