Re the new own-brand formula  (Meijer)
> 1) Are other stores producing ABM these days? I'd never heard of this,

I am aware of a retailer in Australia, Amcal, and of course Sainsbury's
in the UK  (hence the big rift in the NCT), who are marketing own-brand
formula. I have been told that a private hospital in Thailand (run by a
well known religious group) sell their own-brand formula in big plastic
bags. I think we will see more of it. Shows it must be a profitable
market to get into - we are all in the wrong business.

> 2) I also wonder about the safety of the product for babies. Don't
> misunderstand me -- I don't view *any* ABM as safe, but I assume that
> Meijer is not dedicating significant resources to making sure this
> product is appropriate for infants.
I would assume that their product would have met the relevant USA food
standards (codex alimentarius or similar). Don't kid yourself that ABM is
anything special or *really* difficult to make. It is just a food. And who
is to say which of these "puffed up" products is really the best?
Personally I think it is a case of "pick your poison".

> 3) Is it possible that Meijer is getting the product from an
> "established" producer of ABM and merely packaging it? I know this is
> done with other "store brands."
This is certainly how it works with own-brand formula in Australia.  I
would assume it is the same as other store brand products. Of course one
should always be aware that store brand products can change suppliers, and
hence composition, whenever they like and it is not always obvious from
the packaging.

Ros Escott BAppSc IBCLC
Tasmania, Australia
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