Copyright 1995 Pacific Press Ltd. The Vancouver Sun

July 4, 1995, Tuesday, FINAL EDITION

SECTION: NEWS; Pg. A2

LENGTH: 432 words

HEADLINE: Shun free baby formula in hospitals, expert says

BYLINE: KAREN GRAM; VANCOUVER SUN

BODY: B.C. Women's Hospital, Canada's largest maternity hospital, is
negotiating with baby-formula producers to supply up to five years of free
formula to the institution.

If signed, the contract will violate B.C. Women's own policy, the World
Health Organization code and the provincial government, which all say
accepting free formula works against the promotion and protection of
breast-feeding.

"This is not ethical," says Renee Hefti, a lactation consultant and
spokesperson for the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action. "The free
formula and close links with the industry decrease breastfeeding duration
rates and increase industry profits."

While most hospitals in Canada, including Women's, have endorsed a
WHO/Unicef baby-friendly initiative, which calls for hospitals to buy their
formula, none have stopped accepting the corporate handout.

Three other Lower Mainland hospitals -- Mount St. Joseph, B.C.'s Children's
Hospital and Sunny Hill Health Centre -- are also taking part in
negotiations, but Women's would be by far the largest formula user.

Hefti said formula companies say they expect a 93-per-cent loyalty rate by
consumers who see the brand being used in the hospital.

"Do administrators really believe the $ 8-billion industry offers free
formula and large sums of money out of the goodness of their hearts?"

The provincial health ministry endorses the international code of marketing
baby formulas and has sent hospitals two directives urging them to buy
their formula. The Vancouver Sun, July 4, 1995

Health Minister Paul Ramsey is expected to announce in August plans to make
hospitals comply with ministry policy on formula use.

Research has shown breastfed babies are more healthy than formula-fed
babies. They spend less time in hospital and have fewer respiratory
problems and lower rates of juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer and
allergies. Children who are breastfed have higher IQs and a lower incidence
of sudden infant death syndrome, while mothers who breastfeed have a lower
risk of pre-menopausal breast cancer.

Women's Hospital president Lynda Cranston said the issue will be decided by
the hospital board this month. She said the hospital issued a public tender
calling for bids from the various companies and a committee of health
practitioners including nurses, dieticians and physicians is considering
the bids now.

"The committee makes the decision based on which formula provides the best
nutrition."

Cranston said the hospital is supportive of breastfeeding, but added it
needs formula for newborns whose mothers can't or won't breastfeed.

 The Vancouver Sun, July 4, 1995

[log in to unmask] (Arly Helm, LC)