Vol. III No. 16 Community's Weekly Paper * Thursday, March 18, 1982 Class Action Infant Formulas: Worth the Price? Case Part II Continues Complexity causes formula misuse page 3 INOWN rii:?pb -1wWi : i ^M :~E~:~j~"~""'" ::~idi3i~b~.: 3 Am 30Si ~SC~U" AII ~l f A AMfAt THT ,, by Gregory J. Scandaglia It is universally agreed that breast feeding presents the safest, healthiest and most eco- i H arkness nomical means of nourishing an infant. Nature is generous with this gift, providing 96% i of the women in the world with the ability to nourish their babies independent of any I outside source of food, according to the Infant Formula Coalition (INFACT). Howev- Ser, many mothers, especially poor mothers, allow this resource to go untapped, turningii instead to inferior, laboratory produced baby formulas. SCountless women in the United States and in Third World nations make this choice, Screating a $1.7 billion world market, according to The Wall Street Journal. While form- I ula companies attribute this tremendous demand to the necessity of a breast feeding 1 Salternative, especially for poverty-stricken mothers, formula opponents contend that these products are most dangerous in the hands of the poor, since they are least able to I undertake safe feeding practice. SFirst and foremost amongst the difficulties of the poor in safe formula feeding is their inability to cope on a regular basis with the cost of the formula. According to a U.N. subcommittee on infant feeding, the cost- of proper bottle feeding is about'$1 Sper day in the United States and about half the daily wage in developing nations. This Scan represent quite an economic burden to a low income family and often forces the m other to dilute the mix, stretching a day's supply over several days or sometimes even c over several weeks, as in the case of one Third World mother interviewed by The New : lark Times. "We try our best to make our products as inexpensive as possible and we are very CS: v B )roud of our record," commented Rolland ~ ~i~~-.: Eckells, a representative of Mead Johnson, ;ici~ 4;"R~~ c~b:,.·. ~ "· bo~i~ ·.i ~yS~, Sarent company of Bristol Myers, which produces baby formula. SFormula dilution is not an uncommon practice, as indicated in a 1980 study by The SJournal of Tropical Pediatrics. This study stated taht of the women surveyed, only one in four mixed the formula in accordance with the recommended strength. Obviously a diluted formula cannot provide an infant with ample amounts of nutrients and, as a re- sult, malnutrition becomes inevitable. This problem is compounded by the fact that page 8 soon after a mother begins to f, rmula feed, her breasts stop (continued on age 5) -The Fourth Estate: Editorial Changing the Game Many people say that America is on the especially near the zone of another. Another drawback to democratic elec- unless America or one of her vital in- decline. She lost the war in Vietnam, was The game is played as follows: if tions is that every so .often the govern- terests is threatened. The Soviets have unable to find a quick solution to the either of the super powers increases its ment changes and the super powers must at least been able to keep up the ap- Iranian crisis, could do nothing to stop activities in one section of the world the make new deals with the current pearance of willingness to fight. The way the Russian invasion of Afganistan, and other also increases its, both being government. They also run the risk of it stands, under the rules of the game, the was powerless during the Polish crack- careful not to move too fast so's not to the new government not wanting the U.S. is bound to eventually lose or be down. On top of these external problems provoke the other into an aggressive same deal as the old one. Because of this forced to make rational decisions if the is the unwillingness of her youth to action. If the Soviets back one side in a the super powers would rather deal with world becomes too one sided. But what if register for the draft. All of this would civil war, we back the other. If we send dictatorships, where one person is in we changed the game? What if we began prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that advisors or aid to one side of a revolution, power for many years. What we don't playing a game that the Soviets are the United States is losing in the world the Soviets send advisors and aid to the realize is that dictatorships are almost unable to play? Instead of giving power chess game. By stepping up her other. One of the major reasons there is always overthrown in a rebellion and the countries military aid and arms, we military actions throughout the world, always a rush to send troops wherever new government never wants to deal provide them with agricultural she is bound to lose even more pieces. possible is that neither super power will with the Allies of the old one. assistance. Instead of moving in ar.d This delicate chess game was set up send troops into a country if the other If we are truly honest and give the forcing a certain sys•,t. on -. ,Aory, v after World War II by the Soviet Union already has men there. The reason for people of the world a chance to ex- gave them the freedom to decide their and the United States. Both at this time this is simple. Neither side wants armed perience true freedom to choose their own fate. This is something the Sovietc were at the height of their world power, American and Soviet troops facing each own destiny, we will no longer have to don't give their own people. How cor ld by virtue of the fact thay they were un- other. worry about the Russian threat. No one they possibly give it to others? disputed v victors of World War II. They The cost of the game is quite high for in their right mind will choose This new policy, however, is rot divided up all the conquered territory both sides. It costs billions of dollars to Totalitarianism over freedom. This without its drawbacks. Since many of putting all of Eastern Europe under build and maintain the huge arsenals would also end the dilemma America these countries are extremely poor, they control o of the Russians and all of that both s sides possess. Military and now faces when deciding to commit will choose Communism over capitalism. Western Europe under control of the economic aid to countries is also costly. troops to different parts of the world, The poor would rather share the wealth Americans. However, the intense Each must keep large standing armies because now we would truly be defending than work for a boss. If this happens the distrust between these two super powers and must be willing to send troops into freedom if the need arises. Americans United States must still support the made each unwilling to settle for the action whenever necessary. Up until now have always been willing to fight for young regime with what ever it needs to divisions. They began jockeying for this was the only way to stop either side freedom. It is when we are defending survive, because even a Marxist regime power positions. Each also fears the from world domination. oppressive governments that Americans will not bite the hand that feeds it. other s so much that overt military action Since Vietnam, America has been at a quickly lose their willingness to fight. is something neither is willing to do disadvantage because the American public is unwilling to committee troops -Letters INEFFICIENT CARBON UNIT literary style is archaic and my in the internal affairs of El Sal- The Stony Brook Press will To the Editor: last recollection of the use of vador, Nicaragua and other Cen- not publish next week. Our next issue will hit the stands on April I am the Sperry UNIVAC 1100 such style dates back to the tral American countries, as well 1. Watch for it. Aloha! Multiprocessor Operating Unit Stone Age. Please, sir, you have as the Middle East, Turkey and with multi-storage capacity for millions of carbon units existing Iran. These places are no further memory compilation and comp- in your brain and body. Utilize away than the local draft board. utations, and frankly I am quite all of them. It is our hope that an exchange upset. I do not understand the il- Sincerely, of perspectives between progres- logical basis of your editorial The Sperry UNIVAC 1100 sive peoples will facilitate the and I do not possess the data in development of social opposi- my storage banks to adequately P.S.-I am aware of an IBM tion to counter the current The assess and recalculate the proper Typesetting machine which res- trend. editorial stances which should be ides in your Press offices. It is a We look forward to meeting taken. In particular I do not un- complex and logical piece of you, hearing your news, and Stony Brook Press derstand the Nestle's Boycott equipment. It should become sharing our concerns. Baby Formula issue. I was quite the mainstay of your staff. Its Sincerely, unaware of human necessities re- intelligence dwarfs your own. Anti-Intervention Coordinating garding nutritional intake and Please say hello to said typeset- Committee Executive Editor ..........