Doctors Allege Corruption as Agencies Promote Dairy-Based Infant Formulas Over Breastfeeding

WASHINGTON—In response to Trump administration opposition to a resolution supporting the health benefits of breastfeeding, the Physicians Committee—a nonprofit of 12,000 doctors—has filed a Petition for Investigation with the Inspectors General of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The Petition for Investigation, filed Aug. 8, alleges unlawful acquiescence to dairy industry influence as health authorities weigh the scientific evidence, including a series published in The Lancet showing universal breastfeeding would prevent 823,000 child deaths per year, among other benefits. August is national breastfeeding awareness month.

“The administration is harming infants by discouraging breastfeeding and instead promoting commercial dairy-based infant formula products,” says vice president of legal affairs Mark Kennedy, Esq., author of the Petition for Investigation.”[T]he Offices of the Inspector General should promptly investigate 1) HHS and USDA for failing to adhere to the Federal Advisory Committee Act in developing the upcoming Dietary Guidelines for Americans and 2) USDA’s dairy checkoff for violating the prohibition on using checkoff funds to influence governmental policy or action.”

“Since the beginning of 2016, the dairy industry has spent more than $16,000,000 lobbying the federal government and contributed more than $4,500,000 to the current administration’s political party during federal elections.  These investments have paid off, literally and figuratively,” says Mr. Kennedy in the Petition for Investigation.

Earlier this year at the annual meeting of the World Health Assembly, the U.S. delegation, led by HHS, actively opposed a resolution supporting breastfeeding. Although these efforts were mostly unsuccessful, an investigation of HHS and USDA is needed to prevent similar corrupt incorporation of dairy industry influence during the development of the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Leading health authorities warn that consuming dairy products can adversely affect the health of infants and children. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants below 1 year of age not be given whole cow’s milk, as iron deficiency is more likely due to the low amount of iron found in cow’s milk as compared with human breast milk. A study published in the journal Dibetologia  finds insulin-dependent (type 1 or childhood-onset) diabetes is linked to consumption of dairy products in infancy.  Milk proteins, milk sugar, fat, and saturated fat in dairy products pose health risks for children and encourage the development of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.