Powdered infant formula-How safe is it ?

Abstract

Breast feeding is a rule rather than exception in most parts of India. It is now established that examining not only if an infant was breast fed but also how (in terms of duration and exclusivily) is essential to our understanding of the impact of breast feeding on human health (1) . Infants partially breast fed (breast milk along with animal milk or infant formula) or not breast fed have a significantly higher risk of hospitalization and death as compared to infants predominantly breast fed (breast milk and water) or exclusively breast fed (2) . Data from India states that only ��% of children less than 4 months of age are exclusively breast fed, 23% predominantly breast fed and 20% receive supplements along with breast milk. Powdered milk is given infrequently to young children at any age, but other milk (such as cow's / buffalo's milk) is given more often. Around 10% of breast fed infants less than 6 months receive powdered milk. This figure increases considerably with increasing age and also among non breast feeding children (3) . Enterobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula has been implicated in outbreaks causing sepsis, meningitis or IBFAN - the International Baby Food Action Network -consists of more than 200 public interest groups working around the world to promote the health and well-being of infants, young children and their mothers through the protection, promotion and support of optimal infant and young child feeding practices. IBFAN works to eliminate the irresponsible marketing of breast milk substitutes and feeding bottles through full and universal implementation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast milk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant World Health Assembly Resolutions. In 1998, IBFAN was a recipient of the Right Livelihood Award.