Tin of SMA infant milk formula powder, Europe, 1980

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. This container was made in Europe and intended for the overseas market and instructions are shown in both English and Arabic.

SMA stands for ‘Synthetic Milk Adaptation’ and was first developed in 1919 by SMA Nutrition. SMA can commonly be found in shops and supermarkets across the United Kingdom today. (Shown here with other milk powder products).