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The
Internet has grown phenomenally over the past few years.
The number of registered hosts has grown from 10 million
in 1996 to almost 100 million in July 2000.
Mead
Johnson is one of several websites that have special offers.
A printout of a webpage can be used at participating hospitals
to redeem a free Enfamil Peter Rabbit Diaper Bag that
contains formula samples.
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- A photo
of a peacefully sleeping baby on the Abbott-Ross website
has the slogan, "You can rest assured... Isomil".
The familiar Ross brown bear also appears on the site.
WEBSITE
MISREPRESENTATIONS AND CLAIMS
Abbott-Ross
makes a comparison between Similac and mothers' milk by
showing a mother and baby with the slogan, "So close
to you" along with pack shots of Similac.
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Meiji
claims its formula can deliver the same growth as
breastmilk. On a question and answer page, Meiji advises
a mother whose four-month old mix-fed daughter apparently
"doesn't like breastmilk" that it is okay
for her gradually to switch to giving only formula
milk.
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Morinaga's
website, meanwhile, claims its formula milks are similar
to breastmilk and says that it contains an added protein
found in colostrum that fights infection. The company's
page on breastfeeding suggests a complicated procedure,
advising mothers to weigh their babies before and
after each feed, wash their hands, clean around the
nipple and placing limits on how long the baby should
feed on each side. Elsewhere the company gives deceptive
indicators of "lack of breastmilk" and suggests
feeding schedules for mixed feeding.
DISCLAIMING
LIABILITY
Nestlé
Carnation, Freegifts4kids, Kidsgrowth and Abbott-Ross'
Similac websites direct visitors from outside the USA
to a webpage informing them of the existence of the Code,
in an attempt to relinquish the companies of responsibility
for their websites' Code compliance. Because the company's
website can be accessed around the world, the disclaimer
is intended to protect the company in countries where,
unlike the USA, baby food promotion is prohibited by law.
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