Are TV commercials for formula allowed in the US?

[nia82]

I thought they weren't, but last Friday I saw an ad for formula on TLC during a break of Baby Story. I have never seen one before. I can't track down laws or such, could you enlighten me? Thanks!

[texmati]

I def remember seeing goodstart ads growing up.

[ramama]

I see them on TV, but really only on TLC during their baby and birth shows They are not illegal here, but there may be restrictions on claims that they can make. I thought they couldn't say something like "as good as breastmilk," but can say something similar like "based on breastmilk/same nutrients as breastmilk/as easy to digest as breastmilk" or something else equally ridiculous, but I'm not sure...I could be waaaaay wrong.

[crunchy_mommy]

I always see Gerber formula ads, I don't know which channel but we don't have cable so it's an over-the-air channel.

[Funny Face]

They are obviously allowed but I believed that companies signed a volunteer commitment to adhere to the international code for marketing breast milk substitutes. Many of the companies agreed and then break that agreement.

I'm about to read through this that outlines the code by the WHO. http://www.who.int/nutrition/publica...de_english.pdf

That's part of the reason many people boycott Nestle.

[Funny Face]

Yeah, so according to the WHO International Code (the link I posted above) they aren't to advertise.

[phathui5]

The US doesn't enforce the WHO code.

[Funny Face]

Originally Posted by phathui5

The US doesn't enforce the WHO code.

I know it isn't enforced but I thought many companies had volunteered to adhere. That was why the boycott was lifted on Nestle for a time until they violated the agreement?

[new2texas]

Companies like Nestle follow the code in countries where it's required by law. In countries like the US they follow their own "internal guidelines and standards".

[nia82]

Baeh, that's ... disgusting at best. It was a commercial for Gerber formula (didn't even know they make one!). Saw it again yesterday.

[proudmomof4]

Well, I've seen quite a lot of them during my time in the U. S. (1999-2004), also on TLC's "Baby Story".
I'm not sure about my own country (Germany), we were TV-free while we lived there.

[crunchy_mommy]

I just saw the Gerber one again last night & I did finally notice in TINY TINY print at the bottom that "Gerber recommends breast milk as baby's first food" but seriously, it was so small & the rest of the commercial just goes on about how it's just as great as breastmilk....

[nia82]

@ proudmamaof4: I saw Hipp formula commercials on TV. I don't remember when, but long before I had kids, maybe as teenager. But I just remember one. Mostly Hipp advertised their jar foods...

I hate that Gerber ad, it implies how smart and scientific their product is, totally annoying.