Latest news with #StevenAbrams
Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
RFK Jr. has ordered a review of baby formula. Here's what you should know.
About three-quarters of U.S. infants consume formula during the first six months of life, with about 40% receiving it as their only source of nutrition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advertisement Formula has been widely used in the U.S. for roughly six decades, feeding generations of infants who have flourished, said Dr. Steven Abrams, a University of Texas infant nutrition expert. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up The broader scientific community has been calling for a reevaluation of infant formula for years and is 'fully supportive of this idea of a comprehensive look,' he said. Current formula products in the U.S. continue to be safe and nourishing, he said. 'But there's been a lot of science and we want the FDA rules to align with the most recent science from around the world,' he said. Here's what you need to know about Operation Stork Speed: What is infant formula and why do so many babies consume it? Infant formula is a manufactured product, usually made from cow's milk or soy, that is intended to mimic human breast milk for kids up age 12 months. It may be the sole source of nutrition or supplement breastfeeding. Advertisement FDA regulations require that infant formulas contain 30 specific nutrients, with minimum levels for all and maximum levels for 10 of them. The ingredients vary, but all formulas must have a balance of calories from protein, carbohydrates and fat that mirrors what's found in human milk. Federal guidelines recommend that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life and that parents continue breastfeeding for the first year or more while adding new foods to the child's diet. Parents use formula when a mother cannot or chooses not to breastfeed for a wide range of reasons, including medical conditions, work conflicts, to allow other family members to help with feedings and other situations. Why is the government reviewing baby formula now? Kennedy announced the review of infant formula in March as part of his 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda for the U.S. food supply. The FDA's review will include increased testing for heavy metals and other contaminants as well as a review of nutrients, the agencies said. U.S. health officials will hold a two-hour roundtable discussion of infant formula on Wednesday. What issues will that cover? The FDA is asking for new scientific data and information about whether required ingredients in infant formula should be added, removed or changed. The deadline for comments is Sept. 11. Scientists say a review is long overdue regarding the most recent data on the composition of human milk and how babies digest and absorb nutrients in breastmilk and formula. In addition, they want the FDA to consider how U.S. formulas compare with those made elsewhere, said Bridget Young, who studies infant nutrition at the University of Rochester. Advertisement 'How do our regulations differ?' she said. 'Maybe it's time for them to relook at their regulations and consider potential international harmonization.' More international alignment might have eased the U.S. infant formula crisis in 2022, when contamination shut down an Abbott factory, leading to monthslong shortages for American parents, Young said. What about specific ingredients? In recent years, some parents have sought out infant formula made in Europe with the belief that products made overseas are healthier options, experts said. Formula regulations in the U.S. and Europe, including requirements for nutrients and testing, differ somewhat, but are generally similar, Abrams said. 'The differences between the U.S. and Europe should not be considered as 'higher' or 'better' or 'greater' in one vs. the other,' he said. Still, iron, for instance, is included at higher levels in U.S. formulas than in those in Europe — and Abrams suggested that U.S. officials may consider lowering iron targets. Other components have been added to formula in recent years. They include docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid, and human milk oligosaccharides, complex sugars that are found breast milk but not in cow's milk. Although they may be beneficial, they are not required. 'These have been added to some formulas, but not to other formulas, so we want to take a look,' Abrams explained. Many parents have raised concerns over formula ingredients such as added sugars and seed oils, which are also being targeted by Kennedy as hazards in the wider food supply. Recent research suggests that added sugars such as glucose and corn syrup solids in infant formula may be linked to weight gain in children. Young said that most experts agree that lactose, the primary type of sugar found in breast milk, is preferred. Advertisement Infant formulas in the U.S. do contain seed oils, Young said. But that's because there are a finite number of vegetable oils that provide the essential saturated and unsaturated fats that babies require. 'They need to provide the variety of fatty acids that you see in breast milk,' she said. What are the next steps? Done properly, the FDA's infant formula review would take 'at least a year,' Abrams said. And it will require broad input from multiple government agencies, formula manufacturers and consumers. 'No shortcuts are possible and no one review, white paper or even committee report will suffice to do it right,' he said.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US review of infant formula sparks misleading social media posts
"Where is the baby formula without seed oils?" asks a man in a video posted to Threads on May 13, 2025. Others took up the outrage on Facebook, where one post says: "There isn't a single baby formula in the US that doesn't have seed oils and corn syrup, 2 of the absolute most toxic foods - that cause inflammation and insulin resistance." Similar posts questioning the ingredients of infant formula spread widely after the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a review of nutrients, as well as increased testing for heavy metals and other contaminants. On its website, the FDA explains that there are "30 nutrients that must be included in infant formulas," with "minimum amounts for all 30 nutrients and maximum amounts for 10 nutrients" (archived here). HHS said its assessment will be the first comprehensive review of these ingredients since 1998 (archived here). Research shows that compared with formula, human milk has nutrients that are dynamic and better absorbed by babies (archived here and here). It is strongly recommended as the sole food for the first six months of life (archived here). But experts have identified systemic issues around paid family leave and support for lactation as barriers to breastfeeding in the United States (archived here). Independent experts AFP spoke with all backed the formula review as positive, but they said some of the conversation on social media had veered into misinformation. Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, told AFP influencers often fail to acknowledge that formula is a "sole-source food," meaning it must provide everything a baby needs (archived here). While there is no harm in researching alternate ingredients, he said, parents should rest assured that the formula currently on the market is safe for use. Alarming posts about ingredients often aim to make people feel guilty about using it, Abrams said May 22. Misinformation can also lead families to try making formula at home, a practice pediatricians and the FDA strongly advise against (archived here). Sharon Donovan, a professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (archived here), whose research focuses on pediatric nutrition, said the FDA review will offer the opportunity to incorporate years of research into "human milk composition and how infants digest, absorb, and use nutrients in human milk and infant formulas." She pointed to iron, which European formulas include at a far lower level than those in the United States as one nutrient to consider reducing. The social media posts are accurate in stating that formulas in the United States contain seed oils. But experts say this is not a cause for alarm as the oils mimic the fat content of human milk, providing unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. "If these were not included in infant formulas, babies would not be receiving their essential fatty acids," Donovan said in a May 23 email. While most formula companies remove cow milk fat, Donovan said some use whole milk as the starting material for formula, then add smaller amounts of oils to provide fatty acids such as Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Jennifer Smilowitz, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis who studies nutrition and lactation (archived here), said in a May 23 email that she would recommend more use of this combination to "deliver the digestibility and complexity of human milk fat while meeting infants' requirement for essential fatty acids." Seed oils are processed at high heat, which can result in contamination with 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters. Both have been shown to cause adverse effects including cancer in animal studies (archived here and here). Given that infants are a vulnerable population, the FDA has worked to measure 3-MCPDE in formula and set an international code of practice to reduce them (archived here). It says that testing of samples from 2021-2023 from the four largest formula manufacturers showed "levels consistent with levels seen in infant formulas internationally" (archived here). Other posts on social media decry the use of corn syrup in formula -- and some experts told AFP they do have concerns about the use of added sugar (archived here). "Our research has highlighted the concerning presence of added sugars in many infant formulas -- particularly glucose and corn syrup solids," said Kai Ling Kong, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children's Mercy in Kansas City (archived here). "These rapidly absorbable sugars are not only unnecessary for healthy infants but may also promote excessive weight gain and shape a stronger preference for sweet-tasting foods later in life," she said in a May 22 email. The sugar in human milk is mainly lactose, which Kong said the FDA should prioritize as the primary carbohydrate in formula. She also recommended "requiring manufacturers to disclose added sugars separately from total carbohydrates on formula labels, just as is now required for adult nutrition labels." Kong supported the use of specialty formulas for the small number of infants diagnosed with congenital lactase deficiency, condition where the enzyme breaking down lactose is missing or insufficient, or secondary lactose intolerance due to illness. But for most healthy babies, "formulas that retain lactose as the main carbohydrate are most aligned with the composition of human milk and support optimal development," she said. UT's Abrams agreed, saying parents were "vastly overusing" formulas made with reduced lactose. Find more of AFP's reporting on health misinformation here.
AFP
27-05-2025
- Health
- AFP
US review of infant formula sparks misleading social media posts
"Where is the baby formula without seed oils?" asks a man in a video posted to Threads on May 13, 2025. Others took up the outrage on Facebook, where one post says: "There isn't a single baby formula in the US that doesn't have seed oils and corn syrup, 2 of the absolute most toxic foods - that cause inflammation and insulin resistance." Image Screenshot of a post from Threads taken May 22, 2025 Image Screenshot of a Facebook post taken May 22, 2025 Similar posts questioning the ingredients of infant formula spread widely after the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a review of nutrients, as well as increased testing for heavy metals and other contaminants. On its website, the FDA explains that there are "30 nutrients that must be included in infant formulas," with "minimum amounts for all 30 nutrients and maximum amounts for 10 nutrients" (archived here). HHS said its assessment will be the first comprehensive review of these ingredients since 1998 (archived here). Research shows that compared with formula, human milk has nutrients that are dynamic and better absorbed by babies (archived here and here). It is strongly recommended as the sole food for the first six months of life (archived here). issues around paid family leave and support for lactation as barriers to breastfeeding in the United States (archived here). Independent experts AFP spoke with all backed the formula review as positive, but they said some of the conversation on social media had veered into misinformation. Steven Abrams, professor of pediatrics at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, told AFP influencers often fail to acknowledge that formula is a "sole-source food," meaning it must provide everything a baby needs (archived here). While there is no harm in researching alternate ingredients, he said, parents should rest assured that the formula currently on the market is safe for use. Alarming posts about ingredients often aim to make people feel guilty about using it, Abrams said May 22. Misinformation can also lead families to try making formula at home, a practice pediatricians and the FDA strongly advise against (archived here). Sharon Donovan, a professor at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (archived here), whose research focuses on pediatric nutrition, said the FDA review will offer the opportunity to incorporate years of research into "human milk composition and how infants digest, absorb, and use nutrients in human milk and infant formulas." She pointed to iron, which European formulas include at a far lower level than those in the United States as one nutrient to consider reducing. Seed oils The social media posts are accurate in stating that formulas in the United States contain seed oils. But experts say this is not a cause for alarm as the oils mimic the fat content of human milk, providing unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. "If these were not included in infant formulas, babies would not be receiving their essential fatty acids," Donovan said in a May 23 email. While most formula companies remove cow milk fat, Donovan said some use whole milk as the starting material for formula, then add smaller amounts of oils to provide fatty acids such as Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Jennifer Smilowitz, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis who studies nutrition and lactation (archived here), said in a May 23 email that she would recommend more use of this combination to "deliver the digestibility and complexity of human milk fat while meeting infants' requirement for essential fatty acids." e processed at high heat, which can result in contamination with 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters. Both have been shown to cause adverse effects including cancer in animal studies (archived here and here). Given that infants are a vulnerable population, the FDA has worked to measure 3-MCPDE in formula and set an (archived here). It says that testing of samples from 2021-2023 from the four largest formula manufacturers showed "levels consistent with levels seen in infant formulas internationally" (archived here). Prioritize lactose Other posts on social media decry the use of corn syrup in formula -- and some experts told AFP they do have concerns about the use of added sugar (archived here). Image Screenshot of a Facebook post taken May 23, 2025 "Our research has highlighted the concerning presence of added sugars in many infant formulas -- particularly glucose and corn syrup solids," said Kai Ling Kong, assistant professor of pediatrics at Children's Mercy in Kansas City (archived here). "These rapidly absorbable sugars are not only unnecessary for healthy infants but may also promote excessive weight gain and shape a stronger preference for sweet-tasting foods later in life," she said in a May 22 email. The sugar in human milk is mainly lactose, which Kong said the FDA should prioritize as the primary carbohydrate in formula. She also recommended "requiring manufacturers to disclose added sugars separately from total carbohydrates on formula labels, just as is now required for adult nutrition labels." UT's Abrams agreed, saying parents were "vastly overusing" formulas made with reduced lactose. Find more of AFP's reporting on health misinformation here.
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."
