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New Mothers Get Choice — Between Two Brands of Breastmilk Substitutes

April 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Choosing formula in the store

I once heard a bit of sales advice, let's say for shoes. After a potential customer has tried on two pairs, you shouldn't ask if he likes one or the other. Instead say, "Which pair of shoes do you prefer?" With luck, the customer will accept your assumption that he has already decided to buy at least one pair. This advice came to mind when I read that  the Israeli health ministry, as stated back in June, will now be requiring maternity wards to offer two competing brands of breastmilk substitutes for newborns. Shoes and powdered milk are very different products, but both are sold using manipulative marketing tactics. Until now, the companies paid huge sums for exclusive distribution … [Read more...]

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New-Old Israeli Health Ministry Statement Promotes Breastfeeding in Hospitals

July 5, 2012 by 4 Comments

Remember the law, misnamed "The Law to Encourage Breastfeeding?" Unfortunately that law had nothing to do with public health but everything to do with breaking exclusivity contracts between hospitals and formula companies so that new brands could get their foot in the door. This was presented as being for the public good because more competition would mean lower costs of formula (but not as low as breastmilk). The sponsors put in a clause about a permission form, listing risks of formula feeding, for moms to sign before their baby received formula. That clause got ditched because moms argued that they would feel guilty, putting adult emotions ahead of babies' health. It seems that … [Read more...]

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Young Families in Israel Pay Twice for Formula Marketing

February 28, 2012 by 61 Comments

The Knesset economic committee met this week to discuss the law limiting formula marketing in Israeli hospitals. Last Friday, Haaretz published an article by Ruti Levi on the arrangements between formula companies and hospital maternity wards. Currently, the companies pay large sums in order to ensure sole distribution of their products to new mothers. Israel is a signatory to the World Health Organization's International Code of Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes, abbreviated to the WHO Code. According to the Code formula companies may sell their products, as long as they don't market them to new parents through giveaways, coupons and the like. Health professionals may not accept perks … [Read more...]

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