“HHS’s only goal should be to ensure the health of Americans, not to secure the bank accounts of interest groups,” said Maloney. “I hope Secretary Thompson will quickly and summarily disprove reports that the formula makers have unduly influenced the public health policy of our country. Americans deserve to know who is making decisions about our children’s health. Is it the scientists, who tell us that breastfeeding helps our children develop, or is it the formula industry that wants to sell their product?”

In her letter to Thompson, Maloney points out that HHS’s Office of Women’s Health and the Ad Council used scientific findings and dozens of focus groups to craft an ad campaign that was later revised after formula makers met with HHS officials.

Last year a Congressional Research Service report Maloney requested described the effects of breastfeeding as follows: “The health benefits to the infant include the high nutritional quality of human milk, and a decrease in various infectious and other diseases of infancy. Mothers seem to benefit with a more rapid return to the prepregnancy state of their bodies, improved glucose and lipid metabolism, delayed ovulation, and the possible reduction of certain cancers. Proponents of workplace lactation programs cite their benefits to employers as reduced employee absenteeism, increased productivity, increased company loyalty and morale, lower health care costs, and improved employee retention.” [CRS RL32002]

For background on Maloney’s previous actions on breastfeeding and breastfeeding promotion, click here.

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