PUBLIC HEALTH ADVOCACY INSTITUTE (PHAI) FILES CLASS ACTION AGAINST ABBOTT LABORATORIES OVER MARKETING OF "TODDLER MILK"
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) faces a class action lawsuit filed by the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) over allegedly misleading marketing of its 'toddler milk' products. The lawsuit targets Abbott's 'Go & Grow Toddler Drink' and 'Pure Bliss Toddler Drink,' claiming deceptive marketing practices targeting parents of children aged 12-36 months.
The complaint alleges Abbott positions these products as a natural progression from FDA-regulated infant formula, despite lacking FDA regulation and containing 22.9% and 20% added sugar respectively. The lawsuit highlights that toddler milk sales exceed $500 million annually, with advertising spending quadrupling between 2006-2015.
Medical experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, recommend against these products, advocating instead for healthy foods, water, and plain cow's milk for toddlers. The lawsuit seeks marketing practice changes and consumer refunds across multiple states.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) si trova ad affrontare una causa collettiva intentata dall'Istituto di Advocacy per la Salute Pubblica (PHAI) per presunta pubblicità ingannevole dei suoi prodotti di 'latte per bambini'. La causa riguarda il 'Go & Grow Toddler Drink' e il 'Pure Bliss Toddler Drink' di Abbott, accusando pratiche di marketing ingannevoli rivolte ai genitori di bambini di età compresa tra 12 e 36 mesi.
Il reclamo sostiene che Abbott promuove questi prodotti come una naturale evoluzione dal latte artificiale regolato dalla FDA, nonostante non siano soggetti a regolamentazione FDA e contengano 22,9% e 20% di zucchero aggiunto rispettivamente. La causa evidenzia che le vendite di latte per bambini superano $500 milioni all'anno, con la spesa pubblicitaria quadrupla tra il 2006 e il 2015.
Esperti medici, tra cui l'Accademia Americana di Pediatria, sconsigliano questi prodotti, raccomandando invece cibi sani, acqua e latte vaccino semplice per i bambini. La causa richiede cambiamenti nelle pratiche di marketing e rimborsi ai consumatori in diversi stati.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) enfrenta una demanda colectiva presentada por el Instituto de Defensa de la Salud Pública (PHAI) por supuesta publicidad engañosa de sus productos de 'leche para niños'. La demanda se dirige a la 'Go & Grow Toddler Drink' y la 'Pure Bliss Toddler Drink' de Abbott, alegando prácticas de marketing engañosas dirigidas a padres de niños de 12 a 36 meses.
La queja sostiene que Abbott posiciona estos productos como una progresión natural de la fórmula infantil regulada por la FDA, a pesar de no estar regulados por la FDA y contener 22.9% y 20% de azúcar añadido respectivamente. La demanda destaca que las ventas de leche para niños superan $500 millones anuales, con el gasto publicitario cuadruplicándose entre 2006 y 2015.
Expertos médicos, incluida la Academia Americana de Pediatría, desaconsejan estos productos, abogando en su lugar por alimentos saludables, agua y leche de vaca normal para los niños. La demanda busca cambios en las prácticas de marketing y reembolsos a los consumidores en varios estados.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT)는 공공 보건 옹호 연구소(PHAI)에 의해 제기된 집단 소송에 직면해 있습니다. 이 소송은 Abbott의 '토들러 밀크' 제품의 잘못된 마케팅에 대한 것입니다. 이 소송은 Abbott의 'Go & Grow Toddler Drink'와 'Pure Bliss Toddler Drink'를 겨냥하며, 12-36개월 아동의 부모를 겨냥한 기만적인 마케팅 관행을 주장합니다.
소장은 Abbott가 이러한 제품을 FDA 규제 영아용 분유의 자연스러운 발전으로 자리매김하고 있지만, FDA 규제가 없고 각각 22.9% 및 20%의 추가 설탕을 포함하고 있다고 주장합니다. 이 소송은 토들러 밀크의 연간 판매가 $500백만 이상을 초과하며, 2006년에서 2015년 사이 광고 비용이 4배로 증가했다고 강조합니다.
의료 전문가들, 특히 미국 소아과학회는 이러한 제품을 권장하지 않으며, 대신 아동에게 건강한 음식, 물, 일반 우유를 권장합니다. 이 소송은 마케팅 관행의 변화와 여러 주에서 소비자 환불을 요구하고 있습니다.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) fait face à une action collective intentée par l'Institut de plaidoyer pour la santé publique (PHAI) concernant ce qui est prétendument un marketing trompeur de ses produits 'lait pour tout-petits'. Cette action vise les 'Go & Grow Toddler Drink' et 'Pure Bliss Toddler Drink' d'Abbott, accusant des pratiques marketing trompeuses ciblant les parents d'enfants âgés de 12 à 36 mois.
La plainte allègue qu'Abbott positionne ces produits comme une progression naturelle à partir de la formule infantile réglementée par la FDA, bien qu'ils ne soient pas soumis à une réglementation de la FDA et contiennent respectivement 22,9 % et 20 % de sucre ajouté. La plainte met en évidence que les ventes de lait pour tout-petits dépassent 500 millions de dollars par an, avec des dépenses publicitaires quadruplées entre 2006 et 2015.
Les experts médicaux, y compris l'Académie américaine de pédiatrie, recommandent de ne pas utiliser ces produits, prônant plutôt des aliments sains, de l'eau et du lait de vache ordinaire pour les tout-petits. La plainte vise des changements dans les pratiques marketing et des remboursements aux consommateurs dans plusieurs États.
Abbott Laboratories (NYSE: ABT) sieht sich einer Sammelklage des Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) ausgesetzt, die sich gegen vermeintlich irreführende Marketingpraktiken seiner 'Kleinkindmilch'-Produkte richtet. Die Klage richtet sich gegen Abbots 'Go & Grow Toddler Drink' und 'Pure Bliss Toddler Drink' und behauptet, dass diese Produkte durch täuschende Marketingpraktiken bei Eltern von Kindern im Alter von 12 bis 36 Monaten beworben werden.
Die Beschwerde behauptet, Abbott positioniere diese Produkte als natürliche Fortsetzung von FDA-regulierter Säuglingsnahrung, obwohl sie keiner FDA-Regulierung unterliegen und jeweils 22,9 % und 20 % zugesetzten Zucker enthalten. Die Klage hebt hervor, dass die Verkaufszahlen für Kleinkindmilch 500 Millionen Dollar jährlich übersteigen, wobei die Werbeausgaben zwischen 2006 und 2015 vervierfacht wurden.
Medizinische Experten, darunter die American Academy of Pediatrics, sprechen sich gegen diese Produkte aus und plädieren stattdessen für gesunde Nahrungsmittel, Wasser und normale Kuhmilch für Kleinkinder. Die Klage fordert Änderungen in den Marketingpraktiken sowie Verbraucher-Rückerstattungen in mehreren Bundesstaaten.
- None.
- Class action lawsuit filed against Abbott for alleged deceptive marketing practices
- Products contain high levels of added sugar (20-22.9%) contrary to health guidelines
- Potential financial impact from legal proceedings and requested consumer refunds
- Risk of reputational damage in pediatric nutrition market
- Products lack FDA regulation unlike company's infant formula line
Insights
This class action lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories presents significant legal and financial risks. The multi-state litigation targeting Abbott's
The involvement of multiple states and expert testimony from respected medical institutions significantly increases the likelihood of success. Abbott's vulnerability stems from marketing practices that appear to deliberately blur the lines between FDA-regulated infant formula and unregulated toddler milk products. The lawsuit's timing aligns with increasing regulatory scrutiny of nutritional marketing claims, particularly those targeting children's products.
The scientific evidence strongly undermines Abbott's toddler milk products. The 22.9% and 20% added sugar content directly contradicts pediatric nutritional guidelines recommending zero added sugars for toddlers. These products' formulation with glucose syrup solids and honey raises significant developmental concerns, potentially programming children for long-term sweet preferences and increased obesity risk.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' position against these products, combined with research from the UConn Rudd Center, creates a compelling scientific consensus that could accelerate regulatory intervention. The products' nutritional profile, particularly the elevated saturated fat and sodium levels, contradicts contemporary childhood nutrition science. This misalignment with expert recommendations could force Abbott to reformulate or discontinue these products, impacting revenue streams.
The toddler milk market represents a strategic growth initiative for Abbott, designed to offset declining infant formula sales. The quadrupling of advertising spending between 2006-2015 and consistent
Market research showing 70% of consumers incorrectly believing in these products' nutritional benefits suggests widespread marketing success but also highlights significant liability exposure. A negative outcome could force Abbott to abandon this market segment, impacting future growth projections and requiring significant investment in alternative product development. The potential ripple effect across Abbott's broader nutritional products division could affect investor confidence and market share.
Labeled and displayed next to FDA-regulated infant formulas, toddler milk is being promoted as a healthy next stage in child nutrition, even as most experts recommend against its use.
According to the complaint, filed today, toddler milk is being deceptively marketed by Abbott as a natural and healthy next step after children outgrow FDA-regulated infant formulas. But toddler milk is not an FDA-regulated product; according to the lawsuit, it is essentially a marketing ploy by Abbott to keep parents and caregivers using Abbott products as their children age. Unlike FDA-regulated infant formulas, the lawsuit alleges, Abbott's "toddler milk" provides young children with added sugar that runs counter to well-established nutritional guidelines.
"Toddler milk," like FDA-regulated infant formulas, are milk powders with added nutrients, generally sold in the same size cans and tubs as FDA-regulated infant formulas. They are labeled similarly to FDA-regulated infant formulas and are sold on the same shelves in stores as FDA-regulated infant formulas, even though toddlers aged 12 to 36 months have different dietary needs from infants aged 0 to 12 months. Moreover, unlike FDA-regulated infant formulas, toddler milks are not regulated by the FDA.
The lawsuit alleges misleading labeling and marketing of two Abbott toddler milk products, "Go & Grow Toddler Drink by Similac" and "Pure Bliss Toddler Drink by Similac." The products are labeled "Stage 3," implying they are the next nutritionally recommended product for purchase after infant formula, which is numbered "Stage 1" and transitional formula, which is numbered "Stage 2."
In fact, toddler milk products are not nutritionally recommended at all. Most experts—including the American Academy of Pediatrics—recommend that children above twelve months be given healthy foods, water, and plain cow's milk, and that these products should not include the sorts of numerical steps that Abbott uses.
The new lawsuit seeks changes to Abbott's advertising and marketing practices, a return to consumers of money spent as a result of Abbott's fraudulent, unlawful and unfair marketing practices, as well as other remedies.
A Growth Market
The lawsuit alleges that, to make up for declining sales of infant formulas, Abbott and other makers of infant formula introduced products marketed as "transition formulas," "follow-on formulas," "weaning formulas," "toddler milks" and "toddler drinks." Available market data shows that advertising spending on such products quadrupled between 2006 and 2015. Since 2018, the sales of toddler milk nationwide have averaged more than
"Toddler milk is purposely marketed and labeled to look like infant formula," said Andrew Rainer of PHAI. "It sits on shelves next to infant formula, and is promoted as the next stage in child nutrition—all in an attempt to convince parents and caregivers to buy a product toddlers don't need."
"More than just unnecessary, toddler milk products can actually be harmful to a child's nutritional health," said Dr. George Fuchs, Professor of Pediatric Gastroenterology at the University of
"Parents and other caregivers need clear and accurate information in order to make proper healthy choices for their children," he added. "Toddler milk and similar products should be properly labeled and marketed to assist, rather than confuse, parents and caregivers."
Added Sugar, Glucose Syrup and Other Ingredients
Far from being the next step for infants after formula, toddler milk products contain higher saturated fat, sodium, and added sweeteners—including sugar, glucose syrup solids, and honey. According to the lawsuit, Abbott's toddler milk products each contain four grams of added sugar per serving—which is
According to a 2019 statement of national health and nutrition organizations published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the proper amount of added sugar for children above twelve months of age is zero.
Moreover, it is clear that parents and other caregivers are falling for the misleading marketing practices surrounding toddler milk. According to research conducted by the Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity at the University of
"Our research has found that common toddler milk marketing practices, including unsubstantiated nutrition-related claims and packages that look like infant formulas, mislead parents and other caregivers to believe that toddler milks provide nutritional benefits for their young children," said Dr. Jennifer L. Harris, Senior Research Advisor, Marketing Initiatives at the UConn Rudd Center for Food Policy and Health. "This is counter to recommendations by child health experts, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, and the American Heart Association."
"The evidence is clear," she added, "consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, such as toddler milks, negatively affects young children's diets and leads to related health risks."
Lead plaintiffs from
The case is: Castro et al v. Abbott Laboratories (Case No. 25-cv-377, N.D.
About the Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI)
The Public Health Advocacy Institute (PHAI) is a non-profit legal research center focused on public health law located at Northeastern University School of Law. In 2014, PHAI formed the Center for Public Health Litigation, a nonprofit law firm, which uses the civil justice system to improve public health by focusing on litigation targeting tobacco industry products, unhealthy foods, deceptive health marketing, and deceptive gambling practices.
To learn more about PHAI, visit phai.org.
Contact: | Public Health Advocacy Institute |
617-304-6052 | |
Andrew Rainer, arainer@phai.org | |
or | |
(212) 683-8100 | |
Sandra Prendergast, sprendergast@prcg.com |
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SOURCE Public Health Advocacy Institute
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