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Chocolate Toddler Formula Pulled After Pressure from Moms
Responding to criticism from moms and the media, formula company Mead Johnson will discontinue its controversial chocolate formula for toddlers, according to Reuters.
The drink is being dropped because of “misunderstanding and mischaracterization,” according to the company’s website. The company said the drink was intended for toddlers who may not be getting all the vitamins and nutrients they need. Note that Mead Johnson is now referring to Enfagrow as a drink, while previously, they called it toddler formula.
“The resulting debate has distracted attention from the overall benefits of the brand, so we have decided to discontinue production of Enfagrow Premium chocolate toddler drink and phase it out over the coming weeks,” the company said in a statement.
Critics complained that the Enfagrow Premium chocolate-flavored toddler formula was encouraging toddlers to consume sugar and contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic. Enfagrow’s chocolate-flavored drink contains nearly 19 grams of sugar per 7-ounce serving.
“What’s next, genetically modifying moms to produce chocolate breast milk?” wrote New York University nutrition professor and author Marion Nestle in The Atlantic.
According to Mead-Johnson, the chocolate-flavored drink has “a superior nutritional profile” to other popular toddler drinks like apple juice and grape juice. But, pediatricians suggest that parents limit toddlers’ intake of juices.
Enfagrow Premium will continue to be available in vanilla, which has less added sugar than the chocolate version, but more than unflavored Enfagrow Premium.
What do you think? Will you be sorry to see the chocolate-flavored toddler formula disappear from store shelves?
Photo: Mead Johnson
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5 Comments
PlumbLucky commented on Jun 10 10 at 10:33 amUm, the way it was marketed in print media was indeed that it was toddler formula and it should be considered far superior to cow’s milk (NOT juice. Milk.). It was never indicated that this should be a supplement for certain children, simply that it was better for toddlers period, and should be used in lieu of other beverages including milk. (I can’t say I ever saw an ad where it was compared to juice. Only milk. Yes, I caught up on reading several older copies of Parents/Parenting and a few others last night – probably January through June of each. Saw the ads frequently. And they stuck out as completely asinine.)
Dad commented on Jun 10 10 at 12:36 pmUseless dads… sitting around letting moms and media do all the work..
ClaysMommy commented on Oct 05 10 at 11:24 amI gave this to my son as a “treat”. One 8oz serving a day. It’s chocolate milk! Period. He loved the stuff. I’m sorry to see it go. At least it had some added benefits (vitamins, prebiotics, etc.). Now, if he wants chocolate milk, it will just be the added sugar.
Concerned commented on Oct 18 10 at 10:28 pmMy granddaughter has a digestive issue that results in visits to the er. Enfagrow (chocolate) was something that prevented abdominal pain due to its prebiotics and has helped her immensely. Now that it is gone, I can only hope she will like the vanilla. Please bring it back so this poor little girl (and others with the same condition) dont have to suffer because someone thinks it has too much sugar and premotes obesity.
Becky commented on Aug 26 11 at 12:58 amThis is ridiculous- there are such bigger issues that moms should be worried about. If you don’t want to serve it to your children, then don’t. Your toddler isn’t going to watch a commercial and know the difference. It’s an alternative. A good mom reads the nutrient label and does her research and is not going to simply believe ‘everything she hears’ if she does, then she’s got bigger issues than her toddler having chocolate nutrients. My 3 year old has a very selective palate and anything chocolate is such a treat so chocolate Pediasure and supplements of that nature are the way we go.
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