With the
melamine in Chinese baby formula scandal(hopefully) behind us,
I've been wondering what else might be in baby formula that
could pop up as a scary scandal -- or at least given a closer look
-- in 2009. Here are five thoughts:
1.
Bisphenol-A
As our government repeatedly goes back and forth on
"deciding" if
BPA is bad for us or not (ha), the fact that this hormone
disrupter has been found in baby formula will likely resurface in
the public eye. With good reason! It leaches from metal can linings
into formula - ready to eat liquid (and to a lesser extent
powdered). According to an Environmental Working Group report: "the amount of BPA ingested by some
bottle-fed infants exceeds the doses that caused serious adverse
effects in animal studies."
2. Water, water everywhere
According to the NRDC the water used to mix infant formula "might
contain chlorine byproducts, weed killers, insecticides, solvents,
lead and arsenic. In rural areas, nitrates from fertilizer runoff
into water have caused the sometimes fatal "blue baby
syndrome." Water in general -- not just when mixed with baby
formula -- seems to be and will continue to be a hot button issue
in 2009. I'm wondering if anyone is studying the effects on
kids of the pharmaceuticals now said to be in our municipal
water.
3. Manufacturing byproducts
Also according to the NRDC: "Formula itself may have contaminants
introduced in the manufacturing process. In the past, recalls have
been ordered because of contamination with substances such as
broken glass, fragments of metal and salmonella and other bacteria.
The fungal toxin aflatoxin has also been detected in some
commercial formulas. Although detected levels were very low, this
toxin is known to cause cancer and is not present in breast milk.
Infant formulas also may contain excessive levels of metals,
including aluminum, manganese, cadmium and lead."
4. MSG
If you have spare time to Google MSG, you'll find many people
saying it's harmless, and others saying it's a neurotoxin. Interesting reading. And a largely
unavoidable substance if you eat processed and/or packaged foods.
The stuff is everywhere. Which means that unfortunately it shows up
in baby formula, too.
5. Genetically modified ingredients
Formula can contain GM ingredients like soy, GM corn syrup, or milk
from cows injected with GM hormones. Ick.
So how to avoid all or most of the above?
First, breastfeed if possible, for as long as possible (yes,
breastmilk can be very contaminated itself but its benefits far
outweigh the risks). And/or use organic -- not conventional -- baby
formula out of plastic, never metal, cans. Test your water, or do
the research to find out what is in your municipal or well water
and filter accordingly before mixing with powder. Push for stricter
manufacturing standards. While USDA organic standards don't
permit GM ingredients or MSG, it's my understanding that
naturally occurring MSG can be present even in organic food, a
byproduct of the natural breakdown of yeast.
posted by Alexandra
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