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BOSTON, May 24, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- A Massachusetts pro-breastfeeding group is unhappy with the governor for allowing hospitals to hand out industry-sponsored formula kits to new mothers.
The Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition supported a state health department ban on hospitals giving out the bags, which include formula, bottles and gifts.
Eight hospitals ban the bags, while 36 hand them out, the Boston Herald reports.
In February Gov. Mitt Romney told the state Department of Public Health the ban didn't follow procedure and instituted a 3-month review of it. But he also didn't reappoint three commissioners who supported the ban and whose terms were ended, the Herald reported.
Romney spokesman Eric Fehrnstrom said the governor supports a mother's right to choose food for her baby, including formula.
Dr. Melissa Bartick of the state coalition against formula said the giveaway bags, with a company's logo on it, are too much advertising for the industry, adding: "It has a devastating effect on breastfeeding moms. When nursing moms get the bags, they are more likely to use formula."
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
