Tin of Crown Dia-of Morinaga baby formula milk powder, by Morinaga Milk Industry Co. Ltd., Japan, 1980

The advertising and selling of baby milk formula to 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 tin was made in Japan and intended for the overseas market. The instructions for use are in English, French, Japanese 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.

Made by Morinaga Milk Industry in Japan, it is shown here with other milk powder products.