From the IBLCE website we can see that they have appointed a new 'interim'
executive director.  His name is John Cordaro and among his prior experience
was a prolonged term as CEO of a lobbying group for the nutritional
supplement industry called 'Council for Responsible Nutrition'.  Among the
companies who back that group are at least one manufacturer of breastmilk
substitutes.  I did not see the name Martek on the CRN website.  Mr. Cordaro
has left that position.  Here is what it says about him in a report by the
Federal Trade Commission on measures to prohibit deceptive claims about
anti-obesity products
(http://www.ftc.gov/os/2003/12/031209weightlossrpt.pdf)
"Mr. Cordaro was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for
Responsible Nutrition (CRN), an association of the dietary supplement
industry. Heading the organization since 1982, Mr. Cordaro provided the
leadership for CRN to become a full-service trade association recognized as
a leading association in the dietary supplement industry. He served as a
spokesperson for the multi-billion dollar industry through frequent print
and electronic media responses as well as various public and private forums.
Mr. Cordaro has more than 35 years experience in domestic and international
food, nutrition, and agricultural activities, including senior positions
with the Food Safety Council, Inc., the U. S. Congress Office of Technology
Assessment, and the U.S. Department of State Agency for International
Development."

So, I guess the bright side is that he is savvy about Capitol Hill after
working there to prevent legislative restrictions on the marketing of
dietary supplements, since the CRN preferred a voluntary approach in which
the industry would monitor itself (where have I heard that one before?).  So
if we want to get legislation passed regulating the practice of IBCLCs maybe
he's the man to accomplish that.

On the less bright side is the notion that someone whose major claim to fame
is having led a lobbying group for the kind of company that wants to put
microbially produced fatty acids in infant formula and in supplements for
pregnant woman, is now heading up the organization that has as one of its
key roles, making sure that the people who hold the IBCLC credential behave
ethically.

I've written a short note to the European and N. American regional directors
expressing my, er, concern about this.  I don't expect it will make any
difference apart from me feeling like I did my bit.  Now I am really
seriously considering sending back my certification.  It's feeling more like
a liability all the time.

Rachel Myr
Breastfeeding specialist midwife
Kristiansand, Norway

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