While there are debates on whether infant formula is a suitable substitute for human milk, there’s no question about their nutritional content and safety. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strictly oversees infant formula manufacturers to ensure the products are healthy and safe for infants under 12 months.
But the same can’t be said of “toddler milk” products.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recently warned that the powdered drink mixes – marketed as nutritional supplements for babies older than 12 months and preschoolers up to 3 years old – are unregulated by the FDA.
The experts added that the manufacturers of these products, often the same ones producing infant formulas, are making unproven claims about their toddler milk. The manufacturers market their toddler milk alleging that it can boost children’s brain development or immune systems when it contains significant amounts of sugar and salt. The pediatrician group is also concerned that children drinking toddler milk could develop an addiction to sweets, leading to health problems such as obesity and diabetes.
What can parents do if their child suffers issues?
Because there aren’t any federal regulations for milk drink mixes for older infants and toddlers, they could also contain undeclared ingredients apart from sugar and salt which can cause complications for kids who drink them.
If a child suffers health issues (or wrongful death) by drinking toddler milk, parents may be able to sue the manufacturer for damages. A product liability lawsuit can hold a manufacturer responsible for the defective design of a toddler milk product and for misleading marketing.
However, seeking compensation through a product liability lawsuit isn’t easy. Manufacturers will try their hardest to avoid any liability. Parents may need the guidance of a legal professional to understand how their lawsuit can proceed.