Store brand infant formulas nutritionally equivalent to name-brand products

On October 1, changes were made to the federal WIC program that provides nutritional support to low-income women, infants and children. The goal of the new food package is to encourage breastfeeding because mother's milk is best for babies. Mothers who breastfeed will no longer receive any infant formula under the new program. Mothers who choose to formula feed may receive up to 26% fewer infant formula vouchers than were afforded in previous years. So what is the economic impact of this new program and what does it mean to moms who previously had their formula paid for by WIC? Some mothers may run out of formula during the third week of each month. This means at the grocery stores where they normally receive formula, moms will pay nearly $40 for name-brand formula.

Downloadable video and other materials available at: http://www.multimedianewscenter.com/pbmproducts/truth-about-infant-formula

Leading experts say that fewer infant formula subsidies may influence some moms to make bad decisions. Some may dilute formula with extra water to save money. Mothers may also substitute formula with ordinary cow's milk or fruit juices, which should not be fed to infants who are younger than 12 months of age.

According to Robert Rapaport, M.D., Mount Sinai Medical Center pediatrics department, infant feeding decisions of this nature may be harmful to the baby. "It is very important to breastfeed or to feed babies infant formula," said Dr. Rapaport.

What are responsible mothers supposed to do and is there a safe alternative?

Instead of urging parents to buy name-brand infant formula, the editors of Consumer Reports recommend parents breastfeed or buy less expensive store brand infant formula because they are nutritionally equivalent.

"All infant formulas marketed in the United States are manufactured according to the same exacting standard of the Food and Drug Administration, pursuant to the infant formula act," said Raymond Maggio, former FDA investigator and recipient of numerous awards and commendations, including the prestigious award of merit.

Store brand formulas typically save parents up to $600 a year per baby. By buying a store brand formula, WIC participants will save $20 at the end of each month when their vouchers run out.

PBM Products is the maker of store-brand formula. Sign up for infant formula coupons and learn more by visiting online resources:

www.storebrandformula.com

www.babyproductsmom.com

SOURCE: PBM Products