title: Historic records on the commercial production of infant formula.
abstract: Industrialized food production first appeared in 1856, pioneered by Borden in the USA, Liebig in Germany, Nestlé in Switzerland, and Mellin in the UK. Their products differed remarkably and deviated from human and cow's milk, and physicians discussed the importance of minute variations in protein, fat and carbohydrates. Proprietary formulas were free of bacteria, and the companies prospered with mass production, international marketing and aggressive advertising. From 1932 on, medical societies restricted advertising to the laity. In 1939 Williams in Singapore and in 1970 Jelliffe in Jamaica suspected that commercial formula may be increasing infant mortality in the Third World. Breastfeeding continued to decline during the early 20th century, falling in 1970 below 10% in the USA. The Swiss 'Third World Group' and the US 'Infant Formula Action Coalition' linked infant mortality and industry marketing in the Third World. The controversy of 1970-1984 led to the WHO Code, which regulated the advertising and marketing of baby food. This was one of several public health statements contributing to the resurgence of breastfeeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Charité University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Obladen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003132:Commerce / Q000266:history*; D019649:Food Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D041943:Infant Formula / Q000191:economics / Q000266:history*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008892:Milk; D011996:Records