Some positive sounding news from the UK.  Magda Sachs 

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/24113/Health-minister-to-ban-baby-
milk-ads 

HEALTH MINISTER TO BAN BABY MILK ADS
Sunday November 4,2007 

Lucy Johnston
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------
BABY milk manufacturers are to be banned from advertising their
products in a bid to encourage breast feeding. 

Sales of formula baby milk have doubled to £329million a year in the
past 10 years thanks to advertising on TV and in newspapers by the
makers, despite a voluntary agreement not to do so made with the
World Health Organisation more than 20 years ago. 

Now Britain is almost at the bottom of the European league for breast
feeding and health ministers have decided to take action. 

Breast feeding protects mothers against the risk of cancer, the World
Cancer Research Fund reported last week, and research shows that
breast-fed babies have a much reduced risk of developing childhood
leukaemia.  Scientists think breast feeding lowers the levels of some 
cancer-related hormones in the mother's body. Breast feeding also protects
babies from becoming overweight or obese in later life. 

Baby milk manufacturers have evaded the World Health Organisation
code on formula feed for newborns by promoting what is known
as `follow-on milk'. This is aimed at mothers of children of six
months and older and is not covered by the code banning advertising. 

Mothers are officially advised to carry on breast feeding for the
first year and well into the second year, not only for themselves but
for the health of their baby. 

Patti Rundall, director of the charity Baby Milk Action, said: "It is
terrible that these companies are blatantly promoting products that
are recognised to be inferior to breast milk.  "It is clear they are getting 
through to mothers. The use of the term `follow-on milk' is misleading as it 
is essentially the same as formula given to younger babies." 

Paediatricians, midwives and health visitors all complain about the
negative effect of baby milk advertising, worth £7.6million a year,
on breast feeding rates in Britain.  A recent study showed Britain to be 
16th out of 17 European countries for breast feeding rates. 

Junior minister Dawn Primarolo has been under intense pressure from
milk manufacturers not to legislate.  A spokesman for the Infant and 
Dietetic Food Association said last night: "We believe the existing 
regulations are sufficient." 

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