DANCING TO THE TUNE OF THE INFANT FORMULA INDUSTRY

“The great owners ignored the three cries of history.  The land fell into fewer hands, the number of the dispossessed increased, and every effort of the great owners was directed at repression.  The money was spent for arms, for gas to protect the great holdings, and spies were sent to catch the murmuring of revolt so that it might be stamped out.  The changing economy was ignored, and only means to destroy revolt were considered, while the causes of revolt went on.”  John Steinbeck--The Grapes of Wrath

Sound familiar?  I felt like I was reading a description of current events.  I read the Grapes of Wrath many years ago and remember the ending in which Rose of Sharon feeds the starving father by breastfeeding him. Some people viewed that last scene as pornographic, as disgusting.   Rose’s own baby was stillborn, and her response was to save a starving man from certain death by breastfeeding him.  It was not a sexually act. It was a lifesaving act.

Rose of Sharon is considered by some literary critics of Steinbeck to be biblical in reference; as in the desert shall bloom like the rose.  Isaiah 35:1 in the Bible states, “The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.”  The transformation of a desert into a bountiful, plant-filled land calls us to rejoice in that transformation.  Likewise, Rose of Sharon’s tragedy of losing her baby transforms into a gift of sustenance for a starving man.

 One would think that those who felt this scene disgusting would be more repulsed by a nation that allows people to starve. Rose of Sharon knew instinctively the value of breastfeeding. Many years later, our world cannot envision that breastfeeding is the saving grace during threats of hunger or starvation for babies and children.  Enamored by advertising of infant formula, and the song and dance that science is so advanced that it can duplicate breastfeeding through genetic engineering a product; a society becomes mesmerized, and enmeshed in valuing products over breastfeeding.  

Remember the Similac advertisement by Abbott Labs, “The Mommy Hood” also called, “The Mommy Wars” or “The Sisterhood of Motherhood,” in which a lot of people thought the video was a documentary?  It exploited the divisions between breastfeeding and formula feeding mothers.  The video went viral, and I believe has had a lot of influence on how people view breastfeeding supporters as pushy and dictatorial. 

The name Similac was derived from “similar to lactation.”  Similac is a brand name, not the name of the company, which is Abbott Labs.  I wonder how people feel about this company now that we all know that the company invested their Covid relief funds from the US Government in by-backs of their own stock rather than in the infrastructure of their manufacturing facilities?  Or now that we know that the FDA had to go to court to obtain a Consent Decree of Permanent Injunction against Abbott to shut down the manufacturing facility and implement cleaning up the facility before being allowed to go back to producing infant formula. https://www.marlerblog.com/legal-cases/abbott-enters-consent-decree-with-fda-on-cronobacter-infant-formula-outbreak-and-recall/

THE RISK OF PATHOGENS IN POWDERED INFANT FORMULA

“The FDA conducted a sampling assignment in 2014 to understand the prevalence of Cronobacter spp. and Salmonella in 55 US dry dairy facilities…Cronobacter was detected in 69 percent of the facilities…By contrast, Salmonella was found in only three (5.5%) of the 55 facilities sampled.”  Dave Cook, “Cronobacter:  Pathogen Considerations beyond Salmonella in Dairy Powders”  FoodSafety Magazine 2021

I find it interesting that articles on Cronobacter contamination always state that Cronobacter is rare.  Yet I recently (6/1/2022) found an article in FoodSafety News that Cronobacter was found in Numil infant formula that was sent from Poland to Moldova with a recall notice.  https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2022/06/cronobacter-found-in-numil-infant-formula/

I will suggest again that in the US, Cronobacter infections in babies are considered rare because there is only one state in the US that is required by law to report it.  If no one is required to report it to health departments, how can we say that it is rare?

The FDA found that 69% of dry dairy facilities were contaminated with Cronobacter.  That seems scary to me.  We do know that safe preparation of infant formula is required to lower the risk of infant infections.  According to one study I read, “Cronobacter sakazakii was able to grow in a wide variety of temperatures from 6 °C to 45°C (42.8°F to 113°F). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344021490_Cronobacter_sakazakii_in_Infant_Food_Contamination_and_Its_Survival_Strategies_in_Hostile_Conditions

In US Patent #10743544 entitled, “Method for inactivating Cronobacter sakazakii,” owned by Northeast Agricultural University of Harbin, China, they state that reconstitution of powdered infant formula should be no less than 80°C (176°F).  They also state that “Powdered infant formula is a main source of Cronobacter spp. contamination and transmission.” https://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=10743544.PN.&OS=PN/10743544&RS=PN/10743544

What does Abbott Labs really think about breastfeeding?  Let’s take a look at US patent #9763970 filed in 2011 called, “Nutritional compositions comprising human milk oligosaccharides and nucleotides and uses thereof for treating and/or preventing enteric viral infections.”

“Breastfeeding has been associated with enhanced development and balanced growth and maturation of the infant’s respiratory, gastrointestinal and immune systems, thereby providing protection of the infant to infections and inflammatory diseases.”

https://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=2&f=G&l=50&s1=9763970,.PN.+11337990.PN.&OS=PN/9763970,+OR+PN/11337990&RS=PN/9763970,+OR+PN/11337990

Or Abbott Labs US patent #11337990 also filed in 2011 called, “Human milk oligosaccharides to promote growth of beneficial bacteria.”

“Breast milk contains components that not only act as pathogen receptor analogues, but also activate immune factors by infant intestinal epithelial cells and/or associated immune cell populations to enhance development and maturation of the infant’s gastrointestinal and immune systems.”

https://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=9763970,.PN.+11337990.PN.&OS=PN/9763970,+OR+PN/11337990&RS=PN/9763970,+OR+PN/11337990

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are present in human milk but what is manufactured by the infant formula industry is not a duplicate of the HMOs found in breastmilk.  Substances in infant formula have to withstand storage for at least 18 months at room temperatures, and are commonly genetically engineered through fermentation of various bacteria.  Infant formula contains an element of risk, when facilities that process the substance are not well-regulated.  The problem increases when parents are not aware of safe ways to prepare powdered infant formula.  And during a pandemic all these issues accelerate.  Parents believe this is a supply-chain issue.  But the reality is that what came first is a bacterial contamination issue that killed 2 infants and hospitalized other babies.  The need for greater regulation of the industry is very apparent.  Whether Congress chooses to enact more regulations is questionable, when some legislators seem to be more influenced by their stock portfolios.

Copyright 2022 Valerie W McClain

 

SENATE HEARING OR JUST POLITICAL THEATER OF THE ABSURD

“Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.”  Edmund Burke

This quote was used by John J Farmer III in his paper, “My 40 year history with Cronobacter/Enterobacter sakazakii—lessons learned, myths debunked, and recommendations.”  Believe it or not, the history of the now named Cronobacter is long and tragic with infants at high risk for this serious bacterial infection that is intrinsic to powdered infant formula.  This history appears to be forgotten or ignored by the US Congressional hearings. Ignoring the history of the research and recommendations by many research scientists, including the recommendation to breastfeed in order to avoid the serious problem of contamination of powdered infant formula is an ominous sign.

A Brief History from 2015-2022

“The powdered infant formula industry still cannot produce powdered formula that is free of bacterial contamination with Cronobacter, other Enterobacteriaceae, other pathogenic bacteria, and other microorganisms.  Until this happens, infants and others will be at risk of becoming infected when they ingest contaminated formula.”  John J. Farmer III, “My 40 year history with Cronobacter/Enterobacter sakazakii—lessons learned, myths debunked, and recommendations.”   2015 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2015.00084/full

“Cronobacter is ubiquitous, but it is profoundly linked with infant formula powders which are implicated in infant infections.  Intrinsic contamination reports are coming up frequently that indicates the product is not sterile.” GM Abebe, “Cronobacter sakazakii in Infant Food Contamination and Its Survival Strategies in Hostile Conditions.”  2020 https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijpr/international-journal-of-pediatric-research-ijpr-6-067.php

“Reporting illnesses helps health officials understand how disease occurs and to identify outbreaks.  Botulism, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Vibrio are all reportable diseases.  Cronobacter is not.  The main reason for this is that Cronobacter isn’t considered a threat to the general population.  Most adults don’t get sick from Cronobacter.  But babies do and the main vehicle of transmission is powdered infant formula.”  Carla Gillespie, “Minnesota Cronobacter Case Spurred Federal Investigation.”  https://foodpoisoningbulletin.com/2022/minnesota-cronobacter-case-spurred-federal-investigation/  2022

My impressions of the Congressional hearings on infant formula supply chain issues.

First, the focus of the hearings seemed to be only on supply chain issues not on the issue of babies sick and dying because a manufacturing plant disregarded hygienic standards. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee on Oversight and Investigation made the following statement on the revelations of the Abbott whistleblower on Abbott’s behavior.

“…falsifying records, turning a blind eye to safety and product concerns, and retaliating against any employees who brought this to light.  It is not enough to simply focus on supply chain issues.”

I agree with her assessment.  Focusing only on supply chain issues, is in my opinion a great way to minimize the tragedy of babies dying and maimed by infant formula.  The reality that is staring at us, in which a lot of Congressional leaders are blind to, is that powdered infant formula is not a sterile product.  If the medical community and others state that parents should consult the label for safe preparation of powdered infant formula, then those labels need to be correct and safe.  In a previous blog post I have discussed the varied instructions on the safe preparation of infant formula of the FDA, CDC, WHO, infant formula companies, etc. Which instructions should a parent follow to protect their infant from Cronobacter? https://vwmcclain.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-scandal-of-cronobacter.html

The infant formula industry cannot produce powdered infant formula that is free of bacteria.  And there is only one state, Minnesota, which has made Cronobacter a reportable disease.  They call it a rare problem, yet it is not a reportable disease in 49 states.  So how rare is it among US infants?  

Who watched the Congressional hearings of the infant formula shortage?  It appeared from the data that I saw that only some 300-400 people watched the Senate hearings on C-SPAN.

I thought I’d share my thoughts and feelings as I watched the Senate hearings.  C-SPAN had video and print copies of the two hearings from Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  I was able to watch all of the Senate hearing yesterday.  I saw some videos of the House subcommittee meeting.  The testimony of the Abbott Labs President of US and Canadian Nutrition, Christopher Calamari was that, “the shortages were heartbreaking,”  “he was deeply sorry,” “and he was committed to it never happening again.”  His comments reminded me of the often used statements by politicians in response to mass gun violence, thoughts and prayers.  Apologies are not enough when babies die or are hospitalized due to a product that is supposed to be safe, just as thoughts and prayers are no longer enough in regard to gun violence.

Senate hearing just Political Theater of the Absurd          

 The first absurdity is that it appeared to me that most of the Senators blamed the FDA. The second absurdity is that Senator Burr seemed to be praising Abbott for their apology.  When a person gets in a car accident while drunk and kills a family, is just an apology acceptable?  Likewise a product that is advertised as a safe substitute for breastfeeding, killed innocent babies and hospitalized others. 

Meanwhile the FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Cardiff stated that the Abbott manufacturing plant was “egregiously unsanitary.” The third absurdity was Cardiff’s inability to explain why it took so long for the FDA to respond to the unsanitary conditions of the manufacturing plant. It seemed like everyone was passing the blame back and forth from Abbott to the FDA, from the FDA to Abbott.  Around and around never discussing real issues relevant to parents and grandparents regarding the safety of infant formula.  No one discussing how often in the past babies have died or maimed from bacterial contamination of powdered infant formula.  Instead it seemed like the concern was to convince the American public that “these products are safe,” that this was just a one-time occurrence.  Abbott had learned its lesson and apologized.  Yet researchers on this issue know that Cronobacter infections from powdered infant formula are not a one-time occurrence.  It will happen again and again, like the school mass shooting, because we live in a society governed by people who are unwilling to do what is necessary to protect the next generation.  A society that is unwilling to protect its young is essentially doomed.

The #4 absurdity--How quickly people forget  past cases of bacterial contamination of powdered infant formula.

The CDC discusses 4 cases of Cronobacter in 2011 in the USA.  Presumption was that there was only 4 cases but eventually believed to be 12 cases of Cronobacter.  How many cases that were unreported, since only one state in US required to report Cronobacter? And a decade later we still have only one state required to report this serious infection of infants with a 40-80% mortality rate.  https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/s1230_Cronobacter.html

Cronobacter isn’t the only bacteria to contaminate powdered infant formula.  In France in 2017 the company, Lactalis was found to have Salmonella in its manufacturing plant, causing a massive recall.  Contamination of Salmonella had previously occurred in 2005 to the same manufacturing facility with many infant deaths. https://www.foodwatch.org/en/news/2018/lactalis-the-scandals-within-the-scandal/?cookieLevel=not-set

Back to the Senate hearing: 

Senator Rand Paul, MD of Kentucky sweeps into the meeting.  He appears to be impatient, in a hurry to get his 5 minutes done.  He immediately states that since there is “no direct link of Cronobacter” in the manufacturing facility to the sick and dead babies, it means that Abbott’s infant formula was not the cause.  This is despite Dr. Robert Cardiff statement that despite the lack of evidence, “health agencies cannot rule it out either, calling the confluence of events ‘highly unusual.’  It appears that Senator Rand Paul had dismissed Cardiff’s statements on this issue, and appears to not know that powdered infant formula is not a sterile product (despite the fact that he is a doctor who graduated from Duke Medical School).

The scientist, John J. Farmer III, responsible in 1980 for the naming of Enterobacter sakazakii, which is now called Cronobacter, made the following statement in his 2015 paper.

“The existence of Cronobacter strains in the ‘viable but non-culturable state’ is a possible explanation for why a sample of powdered infant formula or other product can be tested and found ‘negative for Cronobacter contamination’ but is actually contaminated with Cronobacter.” https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2015.00084/full

Senator Rand Paul talked about the need for stockpiling infant formula, so this never happens again.  My impression is the only concern is that the shelves are empty of infant formula, and that is unacceptable.  He was not happy about the FDA closing the Abbott facility for so long, and seemed to think it was far too long.  One almost got the impression that he was more concerned about Abbott Labs than about safety.  He was not happy about the 17% tariffs imposed on formulas from Canada and Mexico.  He seemed to think the FDA’s concern about labels from other countries as ridiculous.  I wonder how parents who only speak and read English, read a label that is written in Spanish or French or German?  What about the instructions on safe preparation of formula? Oh yes I forgot US citizens don’t read, so reading instructions are unnecessary

One of the interesting things about US government agencies like the FDA (Reagan-Udall Foundation), CDC (CDC Foundation), NIH (NIH Foundation), etc is that they each have foundations which corporations can donate to.  Thus foundations pass that corporate money along to the agency for various programs.  The FDA has the Reagan-Udall Foundation, and corporations can support the FDA.  On the BOD of the Reagan-Udall Foundation is an employee of Nestle. https://reaganudall.org/about-us/board-directors/molly-fogarty

Does having a corporate employee of Nestle on the BOD of the FDA foundation influence the FDA?  Why was Nestle of Switzerland chosen in the first shipment flown to the USA by the US air force of specialty formulas?  Who is paying for the fuel used by the air force or the time of the pilots? Abbott? All US infant formula companies?  Or are we, the taxpayers paying for that flight? My guess is Abbott won’t be billed, it will probably be the taxpayer who ultimately foots the bill.

I found it interesting that one of the senators (I did not catch his name) made his very last comment about breastfeeding (a positive comment).  First and last time I heard the word, breastfeeding in the 2 ½ hour hearing. The stony look from Dr.Califf to this senator was remarkable, and somewhat amusing to me. Dr. Califf immediately changed the subject, with no response to the Senator’s comment about breastfeeding.

It appears that the FDA will probably get more money from Congress, because more money always solves problems (yes sarcasm).  But I wonder where they will get it from since we are sending the Ukraine $40 billion+ in bombs, bullets, and missiles? Oh yes they can just print more money.

As a breastfeeding advocate, I certainly believe that supply-chain issues need to be resolved.  But I also recognize that this desire to stockpile infant formula to safeguard supply-chain problems comes at a cost to breastfeeding.  What governmental agency will protect breastfeeding?  Historically, it has been recognized that bringing in a ton of infant formula in disaster situations jeopardizes breastfeeding.  It’s called the spillover effect.  Breastfeeding mothers are given free formula, and then their own milk supply diminishes (since the more a baby breastfeeds the more milk is produced) from the introduction of infant formula.  I would call what the US is facing in this situation is definitely a disaster.  And if policy is about overstocking this product, then it would seem likely that the infant formula industry will eventually have to get rid of their overstock.  What we will see is intense marketing/advertising of infant formula. Since the US appears oblivious to the WHO Code on Marketing of infant formula (despite Clinton signing on to it in 1994), we are more than likely to see breastfeeding plummet.

Derek Thompson writes in the Atlantic the article, “What’s Behind America’s Shocking Baby-Formula Shortage,”

“…uptick in births in early 2022 with a dramatic decline in rates of breastfeeding among new mothers.”

I am not sure that breastfeeding is declining, I’d like to see the data.  But certainly one thing is for sure and that is that until we make Cronobacter a reportable disease in every state, we will continue to have babies at risk for Cronobacter infections because of powdered infant formula.  The legislators talked about creating a system to monitor supplies of infant formula that would give an alert when supplies are low.  But equally important is making Cronobacter a reportable disease in every state.  And equally important is the value of encouraging, protecting, and promoting breastfeeding.  The value of breastfeeding is well understood by many infant feeding researchers, but obviously not well understood by many legislators.

Copyright 2022 Valerie W McClain

"SAVING LIVES, ONE MOTHER AND CHILD AT A TIME"

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won.  There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall.  Think of it—always.” –Mahatma Gandhi

My southern magnolia tree stands proudly, majestically, blossoming in the backyard.  It has weathered many hurricanes and yet still stands strong against the stormy winds. The strength of that magnolia reminds me of some women I have met in my life.  They stand proudly, strong against adversity, fierce in their determination to right a wrong or to protect those who are not capable of protecting themselves.  It is akin to the mother bear instinct to protect her babies, only in some women that instinct extends beyond their own babies.

I recently met online a human rights advocate, Magdalena Whoolery, who agreed to an interview.  She is Dutch-Indonesian, who grew up in the UK.  Magdalena is a wife and mother of 4 children. She is also a Registered Nurse with a PhD in Health Studies from Brunel University. In the UK she worked with multi-drug-resistant TB patients who were homeless.  She coined the term, survivalising to describe how TB patients coped with their disease and homelessness.

Magdalena has lived in various countries: the UK, Pakistan, China, Botswana.   She has worked for various organizations (UNICEF, WHO) and has been involved in disaster relief/emergency situations: 2004 tsunami disaster in Indonesia, Jwaneng Squatter Camps in Botswana, displaced camps in Timor-Leste of Timor. Magdalena is a member of IBFAN (International Baby Food Action Network) and a strong supporter of the WHO/UNICEF Code for Marketing Breast-Milk Substitutes.

The Botho Compassion Movement, “I am because you are."

Magdalena and her family moved to Botswana in 2012. In 2013 she founded the Botho Compassion Movement and later would establish La Leche League. Botswana at that time had no breastfeeding support groups. The Compassion Movement is founded on the principle that, “…compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves.”  Or as Magdalena said quite simply to me, “I am because you are.” 

Jwaneng Squatter Camps in Botswana

Botswana is located in Africa with South Africa on its southern border with the countries, Namibia and Zimbabwe on its west and east borders. It is home to the richest diamond mines in the world.  Jwaneng is a mining town with squatter camps scattered throughout the area.  Men, women and children in these camps are homeless, living in many cases without access to shelter, sleeping on the ground, living in the bush.  Food and water is scarce, with no running water for bathing.  It is a difficult way to live for adults, but in many cases life threatening for babies and children. Babies are often bottle-fed, in an environment in which one cannot wash bottles easily, nor refrigerate anything.

The threat of being chased out of the encampments by city officials is always present. Magdalena and members of the Botho Compassion Group decided to help by bringing food and water to the encampments.  In a newspaper article dated April 28, 2016 of the  Botswana Gazette in which the situation of squatter camps was written about, Magdalena is interviewed and states,  “…as a nurse of over 15 years and having worked with homeless people specifically, I can honestly say I  have not seen such severe cases of malnutrition.” 

In my conversation with Magdalena she spoke of a Catholic priest who had worked with the Botho Compassionate Group. One day he called her on the phone, and described a situation of trying to help a mother from the camps whose 4 month-old, bottle-fed baby boy who was very sick. The priest told the mother to go to a clinic to get help.  The clinic would not help her because she had no ID, health card, or Birth Certificate.  He suggested another clinic, and the same response from the clinic—no help.  She went to a third clinic and they did help by giving her 2 packets of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS). This solution must be mixed with clean water.  The mother went to the water faucet at the clinic, and was told she could not use the water at the clinic. Homelessness is often stigmatized (not just in Botswana but in the US too) and often out of ignorance of the conditions of homelessness help is not helpful. Later, in the bush they found the baby dead beside 2 packets of ORS.  The priest told Magdalena this because he had another baby he was worried about. 

The Botho Group got a medical team together to provide immediate medical care.  They determined that the homeless needed access to health care; and without IDs, health cards, or birth certificates, they could not access that care.  They got a team together and began to register the homeless so that they could access health care.

Meeting Dr. Hussein Tarimo, breastfeeding advocate

Meanwhile, Magdalena organized a meeting with UN staff members to discuss the situation of the homeless in the squatter camps.  One of the members of the UN staff said to her that she needed to speak to Hussein Tarimo from the Ministry of Health-Botswana, “Nestle keeps asking me when he is going to retire.” He was the co-ordinator of the IBFAN Africa Codex Group, and helped with implementation of the WHO Code.  He was very aware of the conflict of interests (COI) that happen when giant food companies get involved with regulations of their industry.

He discussed with Magdalena the situation of Nestle and its influence in Botswana.  He told her about the situation in Botswana in 2006, in which 500 infants died.  It is believed that the true extent of infant morbidity and mortality are unknown because many were not able to access hospital facilities. 

“..in just 12 health districts [in Botswana], 22,500 babies had diarrhea and 470 died…the main risk factors for death were not being breastfed…”  Gabrielle Palmer—“The Politics of Breastfeeding:  When Breasts are Bad for Business,” pg106

During this time in 2006, concerns about HIV/AIDS epidemic had created a standard of care that not only provided antiretroviral drugs but infant formula to HIV-positive mothers.  But moms were not given enough formula for their babies needs. Malnutrition became common in formula-fed infants. What also happened was that HIV-negative moms because of the promotion of infant formula began using formula rather than breastfeeding.  This is called the spillover effect.  This spillover effect is also common in other emergency situations, when free infant formula is given out, destroying breastfeeding. Then the free supplies disappear after the crisis passes.  A mother’s breastmilk supply is gone, but free infant formula is no longer available.  Unknown to many mothers and health care professionals is that a mother’s milk supply can be brought back into full production through relactation.

The major cause of infant mortality in Botswana is diarrhea.

Diarrhea is a major cause of infant mortality around the world with 1.5 million infants dying.  Diarrhea often causes dehydration in babies. Infant formula or cow’s milk have a high solute loads which can cause rapid dehydration.  Breastmilk does not have a high solute load. And babies will often continue to breastfeed for comfort, when ill.

 

Nestle in Botswana

Mr. Tarimo discussed with Magdalena the Nestle situation in Botswana.  Their aggressive marketing practices were undermining breastfeeding.  It was violating Botswana laws for Marketing Foods for Infants and Young Children as well as the WHO Code.  One of the issues was that Nestle South Africa had a 300-page manual designed to “guide staff and distributors on how to breach Botswana law” on the marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

Another major concern was Professor Gabriel Anabwani, the Executive Director of Baylor Children’s Clinic who was also employed by Nestle Nutrition Institute.  The Botswana Ministry of Health was calling for his resignation for his conflict of interest.  

In 2015 the Botswana Gazette wrote that Nestle had a Doctors Dinner, “claiming to increase awareness of breastfeeding and their products.”  Breastfeeding information from an infant formula company whose business is to sell more infant formula is questionable ethically, particularly when directed at the medical profession who may influence many mothers with slanted information.  

In July of 2017, The Botswana Gazette stated that the Botswana Ministry of Health had declined to comment on Nestle’s involvement with health care professionals. Is it surprising that the newspaper appears to no longer be interested in investigating this scandal? 

Lo and behold it appears that the Botswana Gazette has a paid partnership with Nestle (Nespresso Coffee Machine is one of their products).  

MAGDALENA’S CONTINUED BREASTFEEDING ADVOCACY

Magdalena helped develop a National Breastfeeding Initiative in Botswana.  She helped amend the IYCF (Infant & Young Child Feeding) Policy so that it included skin-to-skin contact with no mother/baby separation, and included mother-to-mother breastfeeding support.  She is still involved with breastfeeding advocacy and support, despite the many obstacles that stand in the way of such advocacy. 

I remember the first conversation I had with Magdalena and she said what was important to her, “Saving lives, one mother and child at a time.”  I think it is in those seemingly small steps that we can make a difference in our communities.  I think it is the ripple effect, throw a pebble into the water and watch how that action ripples across the water. I am grateful for all her work in promoting, supporting breastfeeding.  Her strength, compassion, and kindness shines through, like the magnolia tree that flowers in the spring yet stands tall against the hurricanes in life.

Copyright 2022 Valerie W McClain

A tribute from Baby Milk Action to Hussein Tarimo who died September 28, 2021

https://www.babymilkaction.org/archives/32206