Lansinoh and Their WHO Code Violating Pigeon

I interrupt the regularly scheduled program (Monday Musings) to bring you an important message. In order to maintain my own integrity, as well as that of my blog, and because I believe in informed consumer choice I want to tell you a few things I learned over the weekend about Lansinoh®.

A few days ago I was contacted by a twitter follower who asked me if I had any concerns about Lansinoh’s Who Code (International Code of Marketing Breastmilk Substitutes) status? If you aren’t keeping up, I have just completed one of two review posts for a number of Lansinoh products, and I am currently holding a giveaway for their Diaper Rash Ointment.

I hadn’t thought about looking into Lansinoh’s WHO Code status when I agreed to do the review since they are a company that designs products especially for breastfeeding mothers and breastfed babies. In my review, after listing Lansinoh’s merits and achievements, I even said “What’s not to love?” Now, nervously, I googled “Lansinoh WHO Code” and found this statement in a couple different places. “Lansinoh will always adhere to the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes (WHO Code).” Satisfied (with my now-realized shoddy journalistic research), I direct messaged a response of this nature. In response, I was directed to some links containing some unsettling news…

In 2004, Lansinoh sold itself to Pigeon, a leading worldwide manufacturer of baby products and a known WHO Code violator. Since that sale Lansinoh became Pigeon’s US representative. Like other multi-national corporations, Pigeon’s goal is to make money. Whether it’s by selling products that support breastfeeding or products that do not, their interest lies in expanding sales throughout the world, as is apparent in their 2004 report. With the help of various types of advertising (see upcoming IBFAN link) these guys share responsibility for the increased use of formula and formula products in Southeastern Asia, China and the Middle East. The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) shows that Pigeon (Japan) is the worst WHO Code violator, and the Baby Milk Action monitoring report of 2004 called Breaking the Rules rated the company as the worst of the bottle and teat companies in terms of breaking the Code. 

Excerpts from Pigeon’s 2004 report:

“In April 2004, we formed an agreement with Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc., a prominent U.S. manufacturer of breast-feeding-related products. Under the agreement, Lansinoh became a wholly owned subsidiary of Pigeon. Our intention here is to secure new sales channels in the North American market, where the birthrate continues to rise, and expand sales through the launch of attractive new breast-feeding-related products.”

“In the rapidly growing Chinese market, our sales have centered on large cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. Going forward, we will further boost recognition of the Pigeon brand by building a sales network encompassing major regional cities. In April 2004, Pigeon (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., began producing baby bottle nipples as its core product.”

[And]

“Overseas business: In April 2004, Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc., a prominent U.S. manufacturer of breast-feeding-related products, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Pigeon. Although the acquisition occurred just over two months before the end of the interim term, we are already witnessing favorable results. Going forward, we will work with Lansinoh to expand sales of breast-feeding-related products, not only in North America but in Europe as well.”

“Other overseas consolidated subsidiaries also performed well during the period. By export market, we reported solid sales in China, South Korea, and the Middle East. By product line, we posted significant year-on-year sales increases of baby bottle nipples and weaning foods in South Korea, and of cleansers and disinfectants for baby bottles and vegetables in Hong Kong and Singapore.”

[And]

“We have also tapped the product and sales systems of Lansinoh Laboratories, Inc., which became part of the Group in 2004, to increase our share of the market for breastfeeding products and to expand diaper rash creams and other peripheral products in the United States and Europe.”

Based on the information I’ve read, I get the impression that Lansinoh doesn’t want to admit that it’s in bed with WHO Code non-compliance. I kind of get that, but I still think they have a responsibility to disclose their relationship. They probably won’t start selling formula-supported products because it would interfere with the integrity of their line. And since the respect for Lansinoh’s products lies in the fact that it was started 20 years ago by a breastfeeding mother, that’s something someone is going to want to hold onto. And just because your manager believes in something doesn’t mean you have to. So as long as your manager continues to help you make your company money, there’s no harm in it. Right? (I imagine this is what someone is telling herself).

Is this, perhaps, the reason La Leche League International still endorses their products? Because I don’t think LLLI is supposed to endorse companies that aren’t WHO Code compliant. In fact, I found this: “LLLI shall not enter into sponsorship agreements with, nor accept advertisements or exhibits from, any corporation that violates the International Code.” [Source]. So what’s going on here? And why does ILCA (the trade organization for IBCLCs) not boycott Lansinoh? I found at least one ICBLC who isn’t happy about it. Is it because Lansinoh makes great products for breastfeeding women and breastfed babies and our world is so lacking in breastfeeding support, that this company is the only one they can safely rely on because their products are backed by science? It makes me sadly realize the power a giant corporation like Pigeon has.

Finding out about Lansinoh’s owner kind of threw me for a loop, and it quite embarassed me. Shouldn’t I be on top of things like this? These things make the news, but if you aren’t following the news on the day it leaks out or don’t read the business section of the newspaper, I think the average person, especially busy moms, miss these important tidbits of information. That’s my excuse anyway. Now that I have this knowledge I wanted to relay it to the moms out there whose purchasing decisions might be affected by Lansinoh’s WHO Code status who also just didn’t know about it.

Does Lansinoh make good breastfeeding products? Yes. Does Nestle make good candy bars? Yes. What you do with the knowledge that these top brands aren’t WHO Code compliant is up to you. It all depends on your personal priorities.

As for me, with the help of Carolyn from Breeder Brain, I will finish the second Lansinoh product review and giveaway, fairly and without bias. It was what I agreed to do.

** I did contact the Lansinoh representative I have been working with right after I recieved this information on Thursday evening asking her if she knew where Lansinoh stood in relation to the WHO Code and if I could have a statement. I did not receive a response by the time of this posting.

Related posts:

1. Update on Lansinoh’s WHO Code Compliance
2. Lansinoh Products Review: HPA Lanolin, Diaper Rash Ointment and Wipes
3. Lansinoh Products Review: Soothies Gel Pads, Milk Storage Bags, Latch Assist, and Nursing Pads
4. Products Breastfeeding Moms Actually Need

Tags: breastfeeding products, ICBLC, La Leche League, lactation, Lansinoh, WHO Code