$2.5 BILLION

Yes, billion, with a "b." That is the current amount of yearly sales in the formula market in the US, according to an article in the NY Times. The article is actually about a new "organic" formula produced and sold by Similac that contains a controversial ingredient, cane sugar, as a sweetener. Since the formula companies are trying (and failing) to duplicate breastmilk, which is extremely sweet and is the preferred taste by infants, they need to add something to the formula so that it tastes good (although if you've ever tasted commercial formula, you know how disgusting it is...that stuff will gag you!) The Scientific Committee on Food (the EU's version of our FDA) has stated that cane sugar-sweetened formulas be banned by the end of 2009. Europe is concerned with the increasing rates of obesity among its young people, and we know how big the problem is here in the US, yet the FDA does not regulate which sugars can be used in infant formula. The use of this sugar is a bit troublesome, according to pediatricians, because it so sweet that it will lead to overconsumption. Besides, parents who are buying "organic" infant formula are assuming they are buying a superior product, when it may actually be more damaging than regular formula.
Anyway, my favorite part of this story is the first quote from a woman who describes herself as a "yoga mom" and has been formula feeding her son since the SECOND he was born: “When I saw the organic at Publix, I bought it, no questions asked."
If you are such a "yoga mom," perhaps you should have asked some questions and done some research. Wouldn't a true "yoga mom" be breastfeeding her son anyway?