Corporate Battle Over Infant Formula for Preterm Babies Intensifies

Clinical trial among preterm infants reveals high-stakes business tactics in the infant nutrition industry

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:06am

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A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a collection of premium medical instruments and equipment, including syringes, tubing, and monitoring devices, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conveying the gravity and ethical challenges of the infant formula industry.The clinical trial battle over infant formula for preterm babies exposes the high-stakes corporate warfare underlying the lucrative neonatal nutrition market.South Bend Today

A clinical trial among preterm babies gives a view into corporate warfare in the high-stakes business of infant nutrition, where manufacturers like Abbott and Mead Johnson vie for market share and deploy research as a marketing tool, even as questions linger about the safety of their products.

Why it matters

The battle over infant formula and fortifiers for preterm babies highlights the intense competition between major manufacturers to control the lucrative neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) market, where brand loyalty is cultivated early and can translate to significant long-term sales. However, this pursuit of market share has raised concerns about the ethical conduct of clinical research and the transparency of potential health risks to vulnerable preterm infants.

The details

The clinical trial, known as AL16, was sponsored by Abbott and compared its non-acidified liquid human milk fortifier against Mead Johnson's acidified liquid fortifier. The trial found higher rates of metabolic acidosis and poorer feeding tolerance in infants fed the Mead Johnson product. Abbott leveraged these results to secure hospital contracts and increase its market share, even as some doctors monitoring the study became alarmed by the severity of complications and refused to enroll more babies. Consent forms used in the trial did not mention the risks of metabolic acidosis or necrotizing enterocolitis, a potentially fatal condition.

  • In 2013, an Abbott scientist flagged research showing higher rates of complications in preterm infants fed Mead Johnson's acidified fortifier.
  • In 2016, doctors monitoring the AL16 trial became so concerned about serious adverse events that they refused to enroll more babies.
  • In 2018, the results of the AL16 trial were published, showing higher rates of metabolic acidosis and poorer feeding tolerance in infants fed the Mead Johnson fortifier.
  • In 2019, Abbott leveraged the AL16 study results to secure over 70% hospital market share for its fortifier.
  • In 2024, Mead Johnson discontinued its acidified fortifier product.

The players

Bridget Barrett-Reis

An Abbott scientist who flagged research showing higher rates of complications in preterm infants fed Mead Johnson's acidified fortifier, and later chaired the AL16 clinical trial sponsored by Abbott.

Robert White

A neonatologist who was an investigator in the AL16 study, and who became so concerned about serious adverse events that he refused to enroll more babies, though he later was listed as a co-author of the study.

Mead Johnson

A manufacturer of infant formula and fortifiers, including the acidified liquid fortifier that was the subject of the AL16 clinical trial.

Abbott Laboratories

The manufacturer of Similac products and the sponsor of the AL16 clinical trial, which compared its non-acidified fortifier against Mead Johnson's acidified product.

Ann Anderson-Berry

A researcher whose earlier work on the risks of Mead Johnson's acidified fortifier caught the attention of Abbott and led to the AL16 clinical trial.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.