The FDA has proposed a limit for inorganic arsenic in infant rice cereal. Arsenic is a naturally occurring element that exists in both organic and inorganic forms. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic to the human body. Consumption of inorganic arsenic is associated with cancer, skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Poor pregnancy outcomes and neurodevelopment toxicity are also concerns. In July 2013, the FDA released a draft quantitative assessment of lifetime risk of certain cancers associated with exposure to inorganic arsenic in apple juice. Guidance for industry keeps the level of inorganic arsenic in that product to 10 parts per billion. Rice products are a focus for the FDA because the plant takes up arsenic in the soil as it grows. Relative to body weight, rice … [Read more...]
In Canada, Infant Formula May Have Been Tampered With
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers to use caution with infant formula products because someone may have tampered with them or substituted other ingredients in the products. These incidents are "not typically associated with the manufacturing process but occur occasionally when a consumer returns altered products to the retail store for a refund." Some products have been discovered where the outer cases and containers are intact but the product inside may have had its tamper-proof seal broken. The product may contain a different brand or variety. No illnesses have been associated with these complaints. There is no word on which brands may have been tampered with, or where these products may have been sold. The warning is at the national level. If you buy infant … [Read more...]
Health Canada Warns of Risks Associated with Homemade Baby Formula
Health Canada is warning consumers about the risks associated with homemade baby formula. The homemade formulas can "cause severe malnutrition and potentially fatal illness in infants," health authorities say. Recipes for homemade formula, available on the Internet, are billed as healthy alternatives to appeal to processed foods. But there is a reason why commercial infant formula is one of the most tightly regulated products on the market, health officials say. It's not easy to replicate human breast milk. Infants have have specific nutritional needs that are not the same as those of adults or children. Every ounce they take in needs to be balanced with the the proper amount of vitamins, minerals, fats and protein. Whereas homemade formulas carry the risk of nutritional … [Read more...]
In Canada, Consumers Should Inspect Enfamil Infant Formulas
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is warning consumers to inspect bottles of infant formula before use. Walmart Canada Corporation and Mead Johnson Nutrition (Canada) are advising the public that some bottles of Enfamil A+ Ready-to-Feed Infant Formula have been found with the tamper-proof seal broken and blue tape put on the bottles in its place. The bottles contained water and some formula residue instead of the formula. Three complaints have been received about this problem in Brampton and Mississauga. The bottles were sold at the retail level nationally. The product is Enfamil a+ Ready to Feed Infant Formula in 18 bottle packages, each 237 ml. There are various codes on the products. The UPC number is 0 56796 90518 0. If you purchased this product, examine it closely to make … [Read more...]
FDA Published Final Rule on Infant Formula Protections
The FDA has published its final rule setting standards for manufacturing infant formulas. Those standards include current good manufacturing practices, including required testing for Salmonella and Cronobacter. The manufacturers must also demonstrate that the formula they product supports normal physical growth. And finally, infant formulas must be feted for nutrient content three times: in the final product stage, before entering the marketplace, and at the end of the products' shelf life. Dr. Stephen Ostroff, FDA's acting chief scientist said in a statement, "FDA sets high quality standards for the safety and nutritional quality of infant formulas during this critical time of development." The rule applies to formulas intended for use by healthy babies without any "unusual medical … [Read more...]
Wellements LLC Recalls Baby Prune Concentrate for Possible Salmonella
Wellements LLC is recalling Baby Move™ Prune Concentrate liquid dietary supplement, because one of the ingredients used to make the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The ingredient supplier told the company about the problem. Wellements Baby Move™ Prune Concentrate, in 4 ounce size, is sold in a glass bottle and packaged in an individual product carton. The UPC number is 729609019878. All product lots up to and including number 12179 are part of the recall. The product was distributed from January 2012 to July 2012 nationwide through retail stores and online retailers. There have not been any illnesses reported in connection with the consumption of this product. If you have purchased this product, return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. For questions, call … [Read more...]
Nature’s One CEO: Our Baby Formula Is Safe, Arsenic Study Was Flawed
Nature’s One baby formula is safe and does not contain dangerous levels of arsenic as a recent Dartmouth study suggested, Jay Highman, CEO of the pediatric nutrition company based in Lewis Center, Ohio said in a statement. Last month, researchers at Dartmouth College released the results of a study about arsenic levels in baby formula and cereal bars sweetened with organic brown rice syrup. There are no U.S. laws regulating arsenic content in food, but there is standard for bottled water of 10 parts per billion (ppb). Dartmouth researchers said results of their study showed that one of the two baby formulas tested that used organic brown rice syrup as a sweetener had arsenic levels at six times the federal limit for bottled water. Although the formula manufacturers were not … [Read more...]
Gerber Good Start Infant Formula Recalled
Gerber has notified the public that it has recalled one lot of Gerber Good Start Gentle Powdered Infant Formula, because the product may have an off-odor. Some consumers have complained about the product. And some parents have reported spit-up and other gastrointestinal complaints. Product details: Gerber Good Start Gentle Powdered Infant Formula 23.2 ounce plastic package Batch GXP1684 Expiration date March 5, 2013 If you have purchased this product, contact the Gerber Parents Resource Center at 1-800-487-7763 for replacement. Healthcare professionals and patients should report adverse effects to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. … [Read more...]
Cronobacter Is Rare But Often Deadly For Infants
A newborn boy in Missouri lost his life this week after contacting a rare bacterial infection from a foodborne pathogen called Cronobacter sakazakii. He had been fed Enfamil Newborn powder bought at a Walmart store in Lebanon, Missouri. After learning of his death, the store, and 3,000 other Walmarts nationwide pulled the product from their shelves. The manufacturer of the formula, Mead Johnson Nutrition based in Glenview, Ill., said its records show that the formula in question came from a lot that tested negative for the bacterium before it was shipped. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (MDHSS) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are all investigating the case. In infants, Cronobacter causes septicemia … [Read more...]
Wal-Mart Pulls Infant Formula From Shelves Nationwide
Wal-Mart has taken a batch of Enfamil powdered infant formula off store shelves nationwide out of "an abundance of caution" after a newborn baby in Missouri died of a bacteria infection after he was fed the product. No recall has been ordered for the formula, which is 12.5-ounce cans of Enfamil Newborn Powder, lot number ZP1K7G. The manufacturer, Mead Johnson Nutrition, tested the lot for bacteria before it was shipped and claims it tested negative. The company has re-tested that lot and tests were negative. The formula was purchased at a Wal-Mart store in Lebanon, Missouri. Late last week, 10-day-old Avery Cornett was hospitalized after appearing to develop a stomachache and showing signs of lethargy. Tests at St. John's Hospital-Springfield revealed he was infected with Cronobacter … [Read more...]
