Bottle Baby Death

Brandon Wapoose from the Fox Lake community in northern Alberta died a tragic and needless death when he was only ten months old. No doubt his mother, Monica had received the usual mailings from the various formula companies during her pregnancy. And no doubt she was sent the large sample boxes complete with formula tins and the glossy promises of a smiling, healthy, growing baby. After all aren't the products "closer to breastmilk than ever before"? Reality however, was a far cry from the smiling faces of the Mead Johnson, Ross and Nestlé babies. Bottle feeding her infant soon became an unaffordable disaster and Brandon was fed a rotation of Coffee Mate and water, some Enfalac and some evaporated milk. Over dilution, poverty and health care workers who failed to respond in time led to Brandon's early death. Breastfeeding would have saved his life. The mercenary and callous promotions of dangerous products in communities where their use may result in severe illness and death are intolerable.

How many more deaths and how much more illness will it take for Canada's government to implement and enforce standards that regulate the marketing of infant feeding products?