Down Under Misleading Health Claims

Commerce Commission
Wellington
New Zealand

10 July, 2000

Dear Mr. Belgrave,

RE: Isomil labelling

My concern is regarding the labelling on cans of Isomil's ready to serve soy formula. The label features a blue ribbon with the words, 1^st Choice of Doctors*" in a prominent position. The text the asterisk refers to also features prominently on the front of the can and states, "For common feeding problems such as fussiness, gas and spit-up."

I am not certain precisely which doctors Abbott Laboratories, the manufacturers of Isomil, are referring to, but the advice on the label of their product is inaccurate and contrary to the direct advice of the New Zealand Ministry of Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Swiss Federal Commission on Food, the Australian College of Pediatrics and the UK Department of Health.

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It is my opinion that there is already enough valid scientific concern about the safety of soy formulas to warrant them being available to the public on a prescription only basis. The agency that derives Australian and New Zealand food standards shares this opinion. To discover that certain soy formulas are promoted with the aid of unsubstantiated and untruthful claims under the banner of legitimate advice defies both good reason and morality and is at odds with the directives of every agency responsible for regulating food and health in New Zealand.

It is my expectation that the product in question will be removed from sale until it bears more appropriate labelling and I hope that the manufacturers responsible for misleading the public in the manner they have are censured and treated with the disdain they deserve.

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Yours Sincerely,

Mike Fitzpatrick, PhD