The recent infant milk formula scandal in China, in which at least four babies have died and over 50,000 have become sick due to poisoning with the industrial chemical melamine, highlights the way capitalism cannot guarantee the health and well being of people — particularly the most vulnerable.
Capitalism as a social system is defined by generalised commodification, the conversion of all things into objects to be sold at a market in order to realise a profit. All other considerations are secondary, regardless of the intentions of investors or managers (the more well-meaning of whom get crushed in the market place by the less scrupulous).
A poor country seeking to move to socialism will inevitably have to utilise market mechanisms, international trade and some private capital for a long time. However, since at least 1992, the Stalinist leadership of the Chinese state has moved decisively to foster a powerful new capitalist class.
The number of China's registered "private entrepreneurs" increased from 238,000 in 1993 to 2.435 million in 2002, and the number of workers they employed jumped from 3.7 million to 34.1 million over that period.
Business owners were formally admitted to the "Communist" party in 2001 (although large numbers were already members). Workers and farmer's rights, the environment and people's health have all been subordinated to this forced march to reinstate capitalism.
One result has been that diary farmers squeezed by milk processing companies were encouraged to water down their milk. The companies then worried about the low protein content of the milk eroding sales.
Protein levels in milk are tested for via nitrogen levels, but rather than ensuring milk was undiluted, milk companies opted for the much cheaper option of adding melamine, a chemical used in the production of plastics that is high in nitrogen.
It also has a toxic effect on human kidneys.
The Sanlu Group was the first caught out, but at least 22 large companies have found to be using the practice. This follows other food processing scandals in China, including the deaths of 13 babies in 2004 due to adulterated milk.
But there's also the wider issue of the commodification of infant nutrition itself. The promotion by large food conglomerates of milk formula over breastfeeding.
Even without the underhanded addition of toxic sludge this practice, while necessary in some circumstances, entails considerable health risks, particularly in poorer countries.
Formula feeding has been promoted in recent decades as a safe and convenient alternative, and food corporations such as Nestle have strongly pushed its use in the Third World in order to expand the market for their products.
However, even with careful and sterile preparation, formula milk often contains a range of bacteria, some potentially harmful, not present in breast milk. In less sanitary conditions, the dangers are increased.
A related problem is the lack in infant formula of antibodies present in breast milk that protect against diseases such as diarrhea, bacterial meningitis and gastroenteritis.
Various formulas are also missing vital nutrients. The Remedia Soy Formula, produced by German corporation Humana and exported to Israel in 2003, was found to lack thiamine.
Disturbing as the consequences of contaminated formula are, far more damage has been inflicted by the overuse of formula. A study published in the British medical journal The Lancet in January estimated that annually 1.4 million children under-five die due to suboptimal breastfeeding (optimal feeding is defined as feeding within an hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of the baby's life and some breastfeeding for at least two years).
A further issue in poorer countries is the loss of natural contraceptive effects of breastfeeding when formula is used.
The profit imperative ensures that people are not given rational and safe choices in health and nutrition under capitalism.
For a decent start to life, society needs to provide generous parental leave, workplace creches, education about and support for breastfeeding generally and the most stringent standards in food production.