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Four babies sitting at a table holding spoons and straws, seem eager and voracious to consume condensed milk.
An 1897 advertisement by the N.Y. Condensed Milk Co.

Canned milk is introduced in the Civil War, leading to the production of infant formula.

1860

CHIL
WAR
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An 1897 advertisement by the N.Y. Condensed Milk Co.

In this era, cow's milk is not considered safe to drink in urban areas due to inadequate refrigeration. Milk is also seen as a primary source of nutrition for people of all ages. As such, canned milk is developed to feed Civil War troops, which begins a national conversation on feeding infants milk alternatives, and leads to the production of infant formula.