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Let Baby & Toddler Expo organizers know that there’s no free lunch! It has come to the attention of INFACT Canada that the Baby & Toddler Expo planned for Barrie October 15 & 16, 2005, will once again be allowing formula companies to have booths at the show. The list of exhibitors for this year’s event has not yet been posted, but last year’s exhibitors included Abbott Ross Laboratories and Mead Johnson Nutritionals. The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes prohibits this kind of direct promotion to the public. Specifically, “There should be no advertising or other form of promotion to the general public or products within the scope of this Code.” (5.1) “Manufacturers and distributors should not provide, directly or indirectly, to pregnant women, mothers or members of the their families, samples within the scope of this Code. (5.2) “Marketing personnel, in their business capacity, should not seek direct or indirect contact of any kind with pregnant women or with mothers of infants and young children.” (5.5) INFACT Canada has spoken with Amber Welbelove, General Manager of MBM Metroland Consumer Shows, and pointed out that allowing formula companies is a direct violation of the Code. In response, Ms. Welbelove said, “We have no intention of getting rid of the formula companies.” She also added that she wasn’t prepared to get involved in the politics of the issue. Perhaps a few hundred letters might change her mind. You can write to Ms. Welbelove at: MBM Metroland Consumer Shows Kozlov Centre 400 Bayfield Street Suite 243 Barrie, ON L4N 5A1 Email: awelbelove@simcoe.com Phone: 705-734-1728, ext. 111 Please contact INFACT Canada if you hear about any other Baby & Toddler Expos that are welcoming formula companies. info@infactcanada.ca. |