Unwanted Formula Samples

[georgia]

MDC does not advocate or host the redistribution or sale of formula coupons, samples or other formula "freebies."

Marsha Walker of The National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy (NABA) states:

Some mothers donate these unwanted samples to women's shelters or food pantries, or give them to friends or relatives who are bottle-feeding, while others send them back to the formula company with a letter stating why they do not want them. They should NOT be donated to any relief efforts (like Haiti). Formula samples (as all marketing efforts) contribute to the high price of formula.

If you receive unwanted formula samples, you might consider returning to sender along with a letter stating why you do not wish to receive their samples. Please see Ban the Bags and Formula for Profit for more information.

Here is a list of formula manufacturers currently operating in the US:

Mead Johnson
Mead Johnson Nutritionals
2400 West Lloyd Expressway
Evansville, IN
47721-0001

Nestle USA
800 North Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA
91203

Abbott Laboratories
Abbott Nutrition
625 Cleveland Avenue
Columbus, Ohio
43215-1724

Nutricia North America
Scientific Hospital Supplies (SHS)
9900 Belward Campus Drive, Ste. 100
Rockville, MD
20850

PBM Nutritionals, LLC
P.O. Box 2109
147 Industrial Park Road
Georgia, Vermont
05468-2109

Solus Products, LLC
8910 Purdue Road, Suite 230
Indianapolis, IN
46268

Mothering Magazine and MDC have a strong commitment to the World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes, which recognizes that advertising formula reduces the number of children that are breastfed and the duration of breastfeeding. The purpose of the Code is "contribute to the provision of safe and adequate nutrition for infants, by the protection and promotion of breast-feeding, and by ensuring the proper use of breast-milk substitutes, when these are necessary, on the basis of adequate information and through appropriate marketing and distribution." Keeping this in mind, advocating formula feeding by choice is not permitted on the Lactivism board or any other forum at MDC. Additionally, advocating the redistribution or sale of formula coupons, samples or other freebies is not permitted.

Please PM a forum moderator (annettemarie or tinybutterfly) with any specific questions regarding the Lactivism Guidelines. Thanks!

[georgia]

Emergency Formula Donations

Marsha Walker of The National Alliance for Breastfeeding Advocacy (NABA) states:

Some mothers donate these unwanted samples to women's shelters or food pantries, or give them to friends or relatives who are bottle-feeding, while others send them back to the formula company with a letter stating why they do not want them. They should NOT be donated to any relief efforts (like Haiti). Formula samples (as all marketing efforts) contribute to the high price of formula.

Marsha explains:

Infant formula during relief efforts is extremely dangerous. Water supplies are reduced, non-existent and usually contaminated. Much of the formula sent to these relief efforts is unwanted, unnecessary and in a powdered form. Reconstituting this formula with contaminated water can be a death sentence for an infant. Continuity of availability of infant formula is a real issue as once an infant is started on formula, there needs to be some type of supply of that formula until a child is a year old. Generally, the relief workers on the ground will purchase formula as needed, use it appropriately when necessary, and will make every effort to help breastfeeding mothers continue to breastfeed without supplementing with formula. Breastfeeding mothers who supplement with formula reduce their milk supply and expose the infant to dangerous pathogens.

Please see this from Emergency Nutrition Network and ILCA's Emergencies and Breastfeeding for further information about emergency situations.