Name: Anitha

Free Formula Poses Serious Health Risk

Three lots of Abbott Ross' Similac liquid formula have recently been recalled after it was discovered they were lacking the appropriate amount of Vitamin C, an essential nutrient. The formula, which has been on shelves for the past four months, has a very dark color and if consumed for extended periods of time would result in serious health complications for infants. One of the lots of formula was used in discharge kits, which Abbott Ross distributes at hospitals to new mothers. Hospitals are supposed to maintain records on the formula they distribute, but because of the expense and staff hours required to track lot numbers, check expirations dates, and log contact information for patients who go home with free samples, that practice is not widespread. Thus, it is likely that health institutions have given out a dangerous product and now have no way of contacting the mothers who are feeding it to their infants. It is precisely because of the inherent risks that formula presents—improper ingredient levels, instrinsic contamination, poorer health outcomes—that such discharge packs are banned by the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. For more information, see www. banthebags. org, a campaign to end the distribution of formula discharge packs.

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