Baby Formula Controversy

BY SARAH SCHMIDT

        When people are caring for their babies they want to do what is best for them. Early childhood is when the brain and bone structure develops, both are very important. When parents choose a formula for their baby often what is written on the package has an influence on their decision. Now parents are being told that there are false and unproven claims on the packaging of baby formula and it is still being passed by health Canada. This is very upsetting to many because you want to know exactly what you are buying and the benefits you will receive from the product. Especially in this case, when babies are growing and developing it does not seem right to many that formula producers should be able to get away with having false claims of their packaging. The CFIA indicates that only if there is a health or safety risk then the product will be taken out of store, “making unproven claims” will not take the products of the shelves.

I believe that companies should not be able to make claims to enhance the selling of their product unless their claims can be proved. In this case, of baby formula, parents want to know exactly what their child is consuming and with invalid information it makes it very difficult. A mother said that "It is very overwhelming in that aisle," already, now you have to decipher what is true and what isn't. I wonder if this is the case with baby formula, what about other products? On your toothpaste box, that your teeth will be whiter after 14 days of use or on the cereal box that the cereal will keep you fuller than two eggs, are the claims true? It makes you think about what you can trust and what you can believe, which doesn’t seem like very much anymore!

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Government+allows+infant+formula+claims+despite+acceptable+evidence/5692445/story.html