Examining the Roots of the Formula Crisis and Insights on Ending Exploitative Marketing from the 2023 Lancet Breastfeeding Series

This presentation will address the North American formula crisis that was triggered by investigations into the deaths and illness of several infants from contaminated commercial milk formula (CMF), leading to an extended shut down of a major plant and acute shortages of CMF. Infant feeding decisions are shaped by powerful, inequitable systems and this presentation will identify the corporate practices entailed in perpetuating harmful practices in this crisis and provide policy solutions for how to establish a more equitable and just system of infant feeding in a time of multiple, accelerating infant feeding emergencies due to climate change.

The second part of this 2 hour workshop will address key lessons from the 2023 Lancet Breastfeeding Series. Specifically, the presentation will review Series insights into the extensive influence of the commercial milk formula industry and outline the elements of the corporate playbook employed to increase sales and undermine breastfeeding. Additionally, the presentation will highlight sources from the extensive evidence brought together in the Series to demonstrate industry tactics ranging from scientific claims that lack evidential basis to the misconstruing of infant behavior, influencing health professionals and national as well as global regulations and policies. We will also discuss recommendations of the Lancet Breastfeeding Series workgroup to end exploitative marketing and improve support at all levels for breastfeeding and engage in discussion around opportunities to implement recommendations. This will be an interactive session with ample opportunities for questions and discussion.

This lecture was originally offered as part of the GOLD Lactation Conference 2023.