Latest news with #EleCareHypoallergenic
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nearly 20 infant formulas found to contain toxic lead, arsenic, or both. Here's how parents can keep babies safe
Just as the infant formula crisis of 2022 has receded from the collective memory of American parents comes word of a new formula fiasco: presence of harmful contaminants, including arsenic and lead, in some of the leading brands, according to a Consumer Reports (CR) investigation. 'We really want these results to be empowering for parents,' said CR's manager of food safety research and testing, Sana Mujahid, in the report. 'If you are just at the beginning of your formula journey, there are plenty of safer choices from major brands like Enfamil and Similac and smaller brands like Bobbie. If you are already giving your child one of the formulas on our list with comparatively higher levels of contaminants, there are several steps you can take.' For the analysis, CR tested 41 types of powdered formula—established, newer, and popular store brands, as well as imported options—for a range of toxic chemicals, including arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead. About half of the samples contained 'potentially harmful levels' of at least one contaminant. But testers also found it 'reassuring' that the other half were safe. And the investigation has already led to some positive change by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which, after being informed of CR's findings this week, announced a new initiative, called Operation Stork Speed, to strengthen its oversight of the formula industry, including with increased testing for contaminants. 'The FDA will use all resources and authorities at its disposal to make sure infant formula products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them,' said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Consumer Reports head of food policy called the FDA's immediate response 'encouraging,' adding that 'we hope the FDA is provided adequate resources and staffing to actually follow through on their promises." This naturally occurring heavy metal—which can also be the result of industrial manufacturing and fracking—is carcinogenic to humans, with the most toxic form called inorganic arsenic. CR's testing measured both total arsenic and inorganic arsenic, finding the highest levels in brands EleCare Hypoallergenic and Similac Alimentum—both made by Abbott Nutrition, the company that exacerbated the COVID-related infant formula shortage of 2022 by issuing several recalls. Abbott responded to CR in a statement, saying it had concerns about the methodology used, and that such contaminants 'may be present in trace amounts in food products, including all brands of infant formula and even human breast milk.' Still, the levels found in the brand's formulas exceeded those established as safe in drinking water by the Environmental Protection Agency. 'Arsenic in high levels, of course, is a poison,' Dr. Mark R. Corkins, professor of pediatrics at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, told Consumer Reports. 'Over time, it increases your risk for certain cancers. So, long term, arsenic is a big concern.' Added Dr. David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the State University of New York at Albany, 'There is no excuse for having arsenic in baby food or formula. Absolutely none. The industry should be bending over backward to be certain it's not there.' Also natural but toxic, lead can contaminate food through the soil it's grown in, as well as through water used for irrigation. It can have immediate neurological effects on babies and children if exposed, and has been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavior problems, and lowered IQ. Because it's pervasive in the environment, and difficult to get it completely out of water and food, CR expected to find it in almost all the formulas, and did. And while levels were below established limits of the FDA, experts believe they should be lower. 'We know that there is no safe level of lead exposure,' Hannah Gardener, a professor in the department of neurology at the University of Miami, told CR. who has researched heavy metal contamination in infant formulas. But to keep levels as low as possible, she added, 'Manufacturers need to do many things to protect consumers, including rigorous and repeated testing of their products and disclosing the contamination levels to consumers.' On the positive side, Mercury was not found in any of the formulas, and cadmium was found at levels too low to be concerning. The good news here is that there are many safe choices out there—specifically, 21 deemed to be 'top choices' by CR—such as Similac Advance, Emfamil Gentlease, and Earth's Best Organic Dairy—and 10 'good choices,' including Similac 360 Total Care and Kendamil Organic. Among the 10 'worse choices' are Similac Total Comfort and Target's Up & Up Soy, both of which contained inorganic arsenic. (Find the entire list here.) Though the brands tested are made by 14 companies, the U.S. market is dominated by just a handful, explained CR in its report. And about half of all formula bought in the U.S. is purchased through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)—almost all of which is made by just two companies, Abbott, which makes Similac, and Mead Johnson, which makes Enfamil. Both companies challenged CR's findings when given a chance to respond, sending details comments and noting that trace levels of heavy metals in the food supply are not an issue that is unique to infant formula. 'Abbott has a multi-step quality process in place for heavy metals to ensure that levels satisfy all relevant regulatory requirements in all countries we serve,' Abbott Nutrition vice president Dr. Hakim Bouzamondo, told CR, adding that he disagreed with the use of California's extra-conservative metrics to assess risk. A Mead Johnson spokesperson described the company's 'stringent testing protocols' and told CR that the company is 'committed to providing the highest levels of quality and safety for all our infant formula products as is evidenced by the fact that parents and pediatricians have trusted our infant nutritional products for nearly 120 years.' More on contaminants: Some protein powders contain cancer-causing toxins, new study shows, and these 3 types are the worst offenders The truth about American drinking water: Report shows widespread presence of hazardous chemicals 8 toxic ingredients lurking in your skincare and hair products. What to avoid This story was originally featured on
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Investigation reveals heavy metals, including ‘potentially harmful' levels of lead, in baby formula
A new investigation has revealed more than a dozen popular baby formula products have 'potentially harmful' levels of heavy metals. Consumer Reports tested 41 types of powder baby formula and found about half contained 'potentially harmful levels' of at least one contaminant. In particular, the non-profit found that almost all samples contained lead, and eighteen formulas contained 50 to 100 percent of the 'Maximum Allowable Dose Level' for a three-month-old. The 'Maximum Allowable Dose Level' is set by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and is considered 'the most protective standard available.' While it's virtually impossible to get zero lead levels in baby formula, lower levels are always better, paediatrics professor Dr. Steven Abrams told Consumer Reports. Still, there is 'no safe level of lead exposure,' according to University of Miami neurology professor Dr. Hannah Gardener. 'Obviously babies need to eat,' Gardener told Consumer Reports. 'So there needs to be plenty of food and formula choices at the lowest end of the range of contamination. Manufacturers need to do many things to protect consumers, including rigorous and repeated testing of their products and disclosing the contamination levels to consumers.' Twenty-one of the formulas tested had little to no detectable heavy metals, including Enfamil Gentleease, Similac Advance, and Kirkland Signature ProCare from Costco. A spokesperson for Perrigo, one of the companies found to have formula with lead levels approaching the daily limit, said the company 'can't corroborate Consumer Reports's findings.' 'Perrigo-manufactured infant formulas meet all stringent FDA standards,' the spokesperson said. Consumer Reports also tested for several other contaminants, including arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide, and PFAS (also known as 'forever chemicals'). For arsenic, Consumer Reports tested for the 'most harmful' kind: inorganic arsenic. They found high levels of inorganic arsenic in two formulas from Abbott Nutrition: EleCare Hypoallergenic formula, which had 19.7 parts per billion, and Similac Alimentum, which had 15.1 parts per billion. The Environmental Protection Agency limits arsenic in municipal drinking water to 10 parts per billion, according to Consumer Reports. Abbott Nutrition disputes the test results, with a spokesperson noting the formulas 'are safe' and that heavy metals 'can be present in low levels in almost anything we eat or drink, including in baby food, all brands of infant formula, fruits and vegetables, and even human breast milk.' The company spokesperson said their formulas 'meet the regulations for heavy metals already set by the European Commission and Health Canada.' The spokesperson also disputed Consumer Reports's comparison to drinking water standards. 'Consumer Reports' use of drinking water standards as a comparison for powdered infant formula is inappropriate,' an Abbott Nutrition spokesperson said. 'Powdered infant formula is diluted before it is consumed; drinking water is not. If this were an apples-to-apples comparison to prepared infant formula, dilution would decrease the results reported by Consumer Reports by as much as six-to-eightfold.' Consumer Reports notes their testing revealed there are also several safe options on the market. 'We really want these results to be empowering for parents,' said Dr. Sana Mujahid, Consumer Reports's manager of food safety research and testing. 'If you are just at the beginning of your formula journey, there are plenty of safer choices from major brands like Enfamil and Similac and smaller brands like Bobbie.' Parents should talk to their pediatrician if they're concerned about the formula they use. Consumer Reports also warns that parents should 'never, ever try to make your own baby formula.' The organization also suggest parents should keep the test results 'in perspective.' 'Environmental pollutants are pervasive in our food supply, and all the contaminants in our tests—arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide, and PFAS—have also been previously detected in breast milk, food, and water,' Consumer Reports said. A day after Consumer Reports published their findings, the Food and Drug Administration also launched a new initiative to strengthen its oversight of the formula industry. "It's very encouraging to see the FDA issue this announcement immediately after Consumer Reports shared our findings about contaminants in infant formula," Brian Ronholm, head of food policy for Consumer Reports, said in a statement. 'We look forward to seeing the details of how they intend to implement the plan, and we hope the FDA is provided adequate resources and staffing to actually follow through on their promises." The Independent has contacted the manufacturers for comment. View the full results below:
The Independent
19-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Investigation reveals heavy metals, including ‘potentially harmful' levels of lead, in baby formula
A new investigation has revealed more than a dozen popular baby formula products have 'potentially harmful' levels of heavy metals. Consumer Reports tested 41 types of powder baby formula and found about half contained 'potentially harmful levels' of at least one contaminant. In particular, the non-profit found that almost all samples contained lead, and eighteen formulas contained 50 to 100 percent of the 'Maximum Allowable Dose Level' for a three-month-old. The 'Maximum Allowable Dose Level' is set by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and is considered 'the most protective standard available.' While it's virtually impossible to get zero lead levels in baby formula, lower levels are always better, paediatrics professor Dr. Steven Abrams told Consumer Reports. Still, there is 'no safe level of lead exposure,' according to University of Miami neurology professor Dr. Hannah Gardener. 'Obviously babies need to eat,' Gardener told Consumer Reports. 'So there needs to be plenty of food and formula choices at the lowest end of the range of contamination. Manufacturers need to do many things to protect consumers, including rigorous and repeated testing of their products and disclosing the contamination levels to consumers.' Twenty-one of the formulas tested had little to no detectable heavy metals, including Enfamil Gentleease, Similac Advance, and Kirkland Signature ProCare from Costco. A spokesperson for Perrigo, one of the companies found to have formula with lead levels approaching the daily limit, said the company 'can't corroborate Consumer Reports's findings.' 'Perrigo-manufactured infant formulas meet all stringent FDA standards,' the spokesperson said. Consumer Reports also tested for several other contaminants, including arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide, and PFAS (also known as 'forever chemicals'). For arsenic, Consumer Reports tested for the 'most harmful' kind: inorganic arsenic. They found high levels of inorganic arsenic in two formulas from Abbott Nutrition: EleCare Hypoallergenic formula, which had 19.7 parts per billion, and Similac Alimentum, which had 15.1 parts per billion. The Environmental Protection Agency limits arsenic in municipal drinking water to 10 parts per billion, according to Consumer Reports. Abbott Nutrition disputes the test results, with a spokesperson noting the formulas 'are safe' and that heavy metals 'can be present in low levels in almost anything we eat or drink, including in baby food, all brands of infant formula, fruits and vegetables, and even human breast milk.' The company spokesperson said their formulas 'meet the regulations for heavy metals already set by the European Commission and Health Canada.' The spokesperson also disputed Consumer Reports's comparison to drinking water standards. 'Consumer Reports' use of drinking water standards as a comparison for powdered infant formula is inappropriate,' an Abbott Nutrition spokesperson said. 'Powdered infant formula is diluted before it is consumed; drinking water is not. If this were an apples-to-apples comparison to prepared infant formula, dilution would decrease the results reported by Consumer Reports by as much as six-to-eightfold.' Consumer Reports notes their testing revealed there are also several safe options on the market. 'We really want these results to be empowering for parents,' said Dr. Sana Mujahid, Consumer Reports's manager of food safety research and testing. 'If you are just at the beginning of your formula journey, there are plenty of safer choices from major brands like Enfamil and Similac and smaller brands like Bobbie.' Parents should talk to their pediatrician if they're concerned about the formula they use. Consumer Reports also warns that parents should 'never, ever try to make your own baby formula.' The organization also suggest parents should keep the test results 'in perspective.' 'Environmental pollutants are pervasive in our food supply, and all the contaminants in our tests—arsenic, lead, BPA, acrylamide, and PFAS—have also been previously detected in breast milk, food, and water,' Consumer Reports said. A day after Consumer Reports published their findings, the Food and Drug Administration also launched a new initiative to strengthen its oversight of the formula industry. "It's very encouraging to see the FDA issue this announcement immediately after Consumer Reports shared our findings about contaminants in infant formula," Brian Ronholm, head of food policy for Consumer Reports, said in a statement. 'We look forward to seeing the details of how they intend to implement the plan, and we hope the FDA is provided adequate resources and staffing to actually follow through on their promises."
