PBM Wins Suit Against Mead Johnson

Choosing how to feed our baby is one of the most important decisions we make. Of course human breast milk is the best source of nutrition for our baby and it is highly recommended, but sometimes breastfeeding isn’t possible, like on my case, wherein I only had breast milk two months. Although breast milk is the best source of nutrition for our baby, we shouldn’t feel bad or guilty if we can’t breast feed our baby for some reasons because baby formulas are specially made to meet babies’ nutritional needs.

All infant formulas are regulated by the FDA and so the safety and nutritional quality of infant formulas are ensured by requiring that manufacturers follow specific procedures in manufacturing infant formulas. Under the Infant Formula Act, all formulas marketed in the United States must meet minimum nutrient requirements. That is why Mead Johnson, maker of Enfamil, loses multi-million dollar false advertising case against Store-Brand infant formulas, Store-Brand formulas found in federal court to be nutritionally equivalent to and confer the same developmental benefits as the more expensive national brands.

Last December 2, 2009, PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store-brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co. This incident cost some parents hundreds of dollars extra in one year of formula purchases.

There are many brands of infant formulas in the market and it’s hard which one to choose for our baby. Deciding which brand and type of infant formula can be somewhat confusing but let us not forget that these milk formulas are regulated by the FDA and these regulations and the Infant Formula Act help to make sure that all infant formulas are nutritionally complete and safe for our baby. Try to compare the label of different milk formula and you’ll see that the cheaper milk formulas have the same nutritional content as the expensive ones. So why buy brands that will stretch your purse strings? PBM’s store-brand formulas (including those of sold at leading retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens, and many others) cost up to 50% less than Enfamil, LIPIL, and allow parents to save as much as $600 per year on their formula purchases.

Breast milk is still the best for our babies but infant formula is a practical and safe alternative to breast milk.