Hi folks,

I mentioned I had written on Formula Recalls in Mothering Magazine.  Several
people asked me to post the piece.  Here it is, from Mothering, Jan/Feb. '98.

- Dia

Dia L. Michels                      202-547-3598 / 202-546-2356-fax
627 A Street, NE                      [log in to unmask]
Washington, DC  20002           http://www.parentsplace.com/readroom/dia/

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Formula Recalls

In New Zealand, four leading scientists have raised serious concerns about the
high levels of phytoestrogen hormones found in soy-based formulas and have
rec-ommended that routine sales of soy formulas be stopped.

Soy-based infant formulas sold in Canada are reported to be contaminated with
high levels of aluminum.  In some cases, the aluminum intake of artificially
fed in-fants can be as much as 1,000 times higher than the intake of breastfed
babies.

Infant formulas are also subject to bacterial contamination.  Researchers from
the Netherlands cultured infant formula samples from35 countries and found
Entero-bacteriaceae, known to cause meningitis and sepsis, in 52.5 percent of
samples tested.

Over 67,000 cans of Carnation Follow-up Formula were recently recalled after
it was discovered that the cans were produced under unsanitary conditions and
were linked with gastrointestinal illness.

In Britain, a popular baby formula, Milumil, was recalled after 10 infants
became sick with salmonella.  In 1996, 33,168 cans of Alsoy Soy Formula were
recalled because the lid incorrectly told consumers not to dilute the
concentrated liquid.

Some of the incidents that have triggered formula recalls in the last few
years have included glass particles mixed in with the powder, salmonella
contamination, and insufficient or superpotent levels of vitamins or minerals.
A number of infants have become sick and died from aluminum intoxication,
salmonella, sepsis and meningitis associated with digestion of formula.

Fortunately, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has formal recall
information on its web page. The FDA is located at www.fda.gov.  From the main
page, click on Field Operations/Imports -- then click on Recalls.  Keep in
mind that this is not a particularly user-friendly site.  At this time, it is
only a posting of the FDA En-forcement Reports, with no search capabilities.

Information on how to report a problem or illness associated with use of a
specific infant formula can be found in the Women and Children area under the
Foods icon.  Here is where consumers can ask questions of the FDA.

To reach the FDA tool-free hotline, call 800-FDA-4010 between noon and 4:00 pm
Eastern Standard Time.

(Infact Canada Newsletter, Spring 1197; Dia Michels, Washington, DC)