If you’re a parent, you might have noticed toddler “milk” while browsing the formula aisle. The powdered drink, aimed at children between 1 and 3, often pledges benefits like “improved brain development” or “improved immune function.”
But you may not know that these products are largely unregulated and make claims that are not supported by science, according to studies. For this reason, among others, public health authorities around the world have long sought to police such advertising. Yet despite these efforts, toddler milk has grown to become a $20 billion global business.
Hyper free market capitalism (unless it’s an actual threat to an incumbent company) plus a ‘do your own research’ mantra. There has pretty well always been that individualistic streak to the culture with this iconic imagery of the lone cowboy or the solitary businessman held up as representative of the Real American® where people would get upset if it wasn’t allowed.