organic baby formula
When were the FDA's nutritional standards for baby formula last updated and why is this concerning?
The FDA's nutritional standards for baby formula were last meaningfully created in the 1980s and haven't been changed since. This is concerning because food science has advanced significantly in the decades since these standards were established. While every other industry has evolved with scientific progress, baby food regulations have remained stagnant. Laura Modi, CEO of Bobbie, emphasizes that improvements to these outdated standards should be prioritized, arguing that our babies' food deserves to benefit from modern nutritional science first and foremost.
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NBC News
02:56 - 03:19
What is Bobi and what makes it unique in the baby formula market?
Bobi is the first and only USDA-certified organic baby formula manufactured in the United States. Founded by Laura Modi in 2018, the company was created after Modi discovered that existing baby formulas contained ingredients she wouldn't want to feed to children. Named after her daughter's word for bottle, Bobi represents Modi's mission to redefine health standards in the multi-billion dollar baby food industry. Modi's background includes working at major tech companies like Google and Airbnb before launching this pioneering organic formula company.
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NBC News
00:01 - 00:38
What personal experience led Laura Modi to create Bobbie, the organic baby formula company?
Laura Modi created Bobbie after experiencing challenges with breastfeeding and being disappointed by available formula options. Despite initially assuming she would breastfeed, Modi developed mastitis, a common infection that forced her to turn to formula. She was shocked to discover that baby formulas hadn't changed in decades - the same products from her childhood were still on shelves. This deeply personal experience convinced her that babies deserved better nutrition options, leading her to found Bobbie, the first USDA certified organic baby formula in the U.S.
Watch clip answer (00:48m)NBC News
01:08 - 01:57
What social issues is Laura Modi advocating for as a business leader?
As CEO of Bobbie, Laura Modi is passionate about changing both the baby food industry and its associated culture. She specifically advocates for paid federal leave, highlighting a critical contradiction: the government recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months without providing the paid leave necessary for mothers to follow this guidance. Modi believes in creating a lasting legacy by fundamentally transforming products, industry standards, and cultural norms. To achieve this, she works with influential figures like Naomi Osaka to amplify their message and mobilize support for paid family leave - an issue that resonates deeply with both Bobbie's customers and employees.
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NBC News
05:10 - 05:50
How can we address the stigma surrounding formula feeding for mothers?
We need to avoid being reductionist about infant feeding choices. While breast milk is often placed on a pedestal as 'liquid gold,' we must acknowledge that not everyone can breastfeed, and those parents and babies deserve the best options too. Changing the stigma requires a two-pronged approach: first, recognizing formula as a valid feeding choice rather than ignoring its importance as critical nutrition; second, elevating the standards for formula products themselves. We cannot continue to make mothers feel inadequate for using formula while simultaneously neglecting to ensure those products meet the highest possible standards.
Watch clip answer (00:36m)NBC News
02:01 - 02:37