Research article summary (published 30 Dec 2001):

The U.S. infant formula industry: is direct-to-consumer advertising unethical or inevitable?

Full Abstract

Throughout their history, U.S. based infant formula companies have promoted their products as though they required a prescription. This form of marketing is called "ethical" promotion, which focuses on gaining a physician to parent recommendation for a brand of infant formula. Until Nestle's entry into the U.S. infant formula market in 1988, there was little direct-to-consumer promotion of infant formula. This article provides a background on the history of infant formula practices in the United States and then focuses on a descriptive model to explain how mothers' make their infant formula selection. Finally, we offer suggestions for the "ethical" marketers of infant formula.

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Author information

Author/s: Cutler, Bob D (BD); Wright, Robert F (RF);

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Health marketing quarterly (Health Mark Q), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-; vol 19 (issue 3) : pp 39-55

Dates: Created 2002/06/24; Completed 2002/07/22; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 12077809, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Advertising as Topic - methods Consumer Participation Decision Making Ethics Food Industry - standards

Food Industry - standards Humans Infant Infant Food - economics; supply & distribution United States

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