Edith Hejberg
Pediatricians say toddler milks are not needed for healthy children and may even be harmful due to excess added sugars.
Frustrated parents across the U.S. are taking legal action against major formula manufacturers, accusing them of misleading marketing tactics around “toddler milks.”
These products, aimed at children aged 1 to 3, are not regulated like infant formulas and often contain added sugars that health experts warn could contribute to childhood obesity.
Experts: Toddler Milks Are Unnecessary and Potentially Harmful
Pediatricians say toddler milks are not needed for healthy children and may even be harmful due to excess added sugars.
Dr. George Fuchs of the University of Kentucky notes that cow’s milk is a cheaper and nutritionally sound option for most toddlers, yet many parents believe otherwise due to aggressive advertising.
No FDA Oversight and No Nutritional Standards
Unlike infant formulas, toddler drinks are not regulated by the FDA or the Infant Formula Act. Manufacturers can add or remove nutrients at will and face no restrictions on how these products are marketed.
Dr. Steven Abrams of the University of Texas says the lack of oversight opens the door to misleading claims.
Deceptive Packaging and Eye-Catching Labels
Parents like Damary Santana say they were swayed by colorful packaging and claims of brain and immune support.
Labels often mimic infant formula branding, making it easy to confuse the two. Santana spent hundreds on toddler milks before learning from her pediatrician that they weren’t necessary at all.
Lawsuits Target Misleading Marketing
Santana is now a plaintiff in a class action lawsuit against Abbott Nutrition, the maker of Similac toddler drinks.
The legal team, led by the Public Health Advocacy Institute, argues that the products are overpriced, unnecessary, and promoted using deceptive strategies designed to prey on parental concerns.
Abbott Defends Its Products Amid Growing Legal Pressure
Abbott maintains its products are properly labeled and supported by science, pointing to past legal victories.
Critics argue these prior lawsuits didn’t address toddler milks specifically. The company has since rebranded its products but kept the same formulations including added sugars
Other Formula Giants Also Under Fire
Mead Johnson (maker of Enfagrow) and Gerber have also been targeted by class action lawsuits.
Plaintiffs accuse them of misleading parents into believing toddler milks are essential. Although some claims have been dismissed, others continue to move through the courts, reflecting mounting scrutiny of the entire industry.
Marketing Tactics Exploit Parental Fear
Experts like Jennifer Harris from the Rudd Center say toddler milks are a marketing invention to recoup losses from the rise in breastfeeding.
Ads play on parental guilt and fears about brain and immune development. Studies show sales and advertising for toddler milks have skyrocketed over the last decade.
Calls for Reform Grow Louder
Despite a 2020 citizen petition from 25+ organizations demanding tighter rules, the FDA has yet to act.
Advocates want clearer labeling and restrictions on advertising, especially since many parents still confuse toddler drinks with infant formula, a potentially dangerous mistake.
Will the FDA Finally Step In?
In June, an expert panel advising Operation Stork Speed acknowledged the urgent need for regulation. Recommendations include clearer labeling, shelf separation in stores, and alignment with global standards like the WHO Code.
But whether the FDA will act remains uncertain, with officials declining to comment on future plans.
