Tin of Similac infant milk powder, Europe, 1980

Tin of Similac infant milk powder by Ross Laboratories Ltd., Ireland, 1980

The writing on the tin of Similac milk powder claims that “only mother’s milk offers better nutrition”. Advertising and selling baby milk formula in developing countries has been controversial for some time. Bottle fed babies are more likely to have

diarrhoea, which causes dehydration. This can be fatal if vital fluids and salts in the body are not replaced.

Made by Ross Laboratories Ltd, the instructions are repeated in English and Arabic. But if a mother cannot read she cannot follow the instructions. Even if she can overcome the literacy barrier, there is no guarantee that she would have a clean water supply or the facilities to make up bottles. (Shown here with other milk powder products).