Abbott Laboratories, a major healthcare company based in Illinois, is facing a lawsuit over its marketing of toddler milk products, which are accused of misleading parents about their nutritional value.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday by the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI), claims that Abbott misrepresents the nutritional benefits of its toddler milk products, which contain high levels of sugar. The PHAI, a nonprofit legal research center at Northeastern University School of Law, argues that these products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and could be harmful to children.
Toddler milk, marketed for children ages 12 to 36 months, is presented as a natural step after infant formula, which is FDA-approved. However, unlike infant formula, toddler milk products are not subject to FDA regulation, raising concerns over their safety and nutritional value.
According to the lawsuit, toddler milk sales in the U.S. have averaged over $500 million annually. Dr. George Fuchs, a pediatric gastroenterology expert at the University of Kentucky, warned that these products could harm children’s health. He explained that the added sugars in toddler milk might increase a child’s preference for sweet foods, leading to obesity and other health problems later in life. Dr. Fuchs also led the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) report on toddler milks.
Abbott’s “Go & Grow Toddler Drink by Similac” and “Pure Bliss Toddler Drink by Similac” are marketed as “Stage 3” products, implying they are the next nutritional step after infant formula. The lawsuit argues that the packaging and marketing of these products, which resemble FDA-regulated formulas, deceive parents into thinking they offer essential nutrients for toddlers.
Dr. Jennifer Harris, a senior research advisor at the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health, criticized these marketing practices. She said that they mislead caregivers into believing toddler milks provide important nutritional benefits.
Experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend that children over 12 months should drink water or plain cow’s milk, rather than toddler milk.
Abbott has yet to respond to requests for comment.
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