Behind the Tainted Formula Scandal...Chinese Women Don't Like Breastfeeding

One of the most interesting things behind the whole horrible scandal involving tainted baby formula is that breastfeeding is not that popular in China. So far four babies have died and more than 6,000 have been sickened by milk powder that was spiked with the chemical melamine -- which makes the milk seem like it contains more protein than it really does.

You'd think breastfeeding would be widespread in a society that retains the appearance of being close to its agricultural roots, in a society that literally worships human milk. There's a Chinese expression: ren nai zhi bai bing (Human milk cures 100 illnesses.) During the biblical floods in southern China in '98, China's Central Television ran footage of wet nurses dispatched to the barricades to offer their milk to Chinese soliders. The CCTV footage showed one Chinese GI rubbing the stuff into his hair.

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Posted by John Pomfret on September 17, 2008 6:46 PM