Separately, a third major formula maker said that in-house tests had detected trace levels of melamine in its infant formula.

In the last two years, many states exploited their market share, demanded competitive bids and won substantial volume discounts from formula makers.

There is no longer any dissent, even from the formula makers, that breast milk is superior to any other infant food.

Milk Price Comparison Some state welfare officials and consumer organizations have complained that formula makers appeared to be raising their prices in a coordinated manner.

The formula makers have nurtured intense brand loyalty through aggressive giveaways to new parents and pediatricians, along with big rebates to state welfare programs.

I doubt that formula makers think for a minute of how their message may affect the psyche of those who elect to breast-feed.

Some advocates of breast-feeding are prepared to work with formula makers, their sworn enemies for decades, on combating the growing threat.

Meanwhile, the pediatrics group received millions of dollars from formula makers.

Now, formula makers are routinely referred to by critics as an "oligopoly."

The revenue impact of competitive bidding on formula makers is impossible to determine because the companies don't break down financial data by unit.