The En----l with added rice is an FDA approved formula that meets the
FDA requirements for an "infant formula."  Actually it is not added rice, it
is added rice starch.  It is " a nutritionally complete (sic), iron-fortified,
milk-based infant formula that contains added rice starch and provides 20
calories per fluid ounce at standard dilution."  USDA has also approved its
use in the WIC program.  The product literature indicates that this infant
formula was designed as a nutritionally balanced alternative to
conventional infant formula with added infant rice cereal WHEN A
PHYSICIAN RECOMMENDS THE USE OF A THICKENED FORMULA (caps
mine).    The formula does not "thicken" or become viscous until it comes
in contant with the acid environment of the infant's stomach.

Although this is a WIC approved formula USDA has many concerns that it
will be used inappropriately and advises that the two reasons to use the
formula may be for regurgitation and gastroesohageal reflux not for
encouraging sleeping through the night or for swallowing disorders.

The question here seems to me to be why the FDA would approve this
formula in the first place.  I suggest that LCs need to start questioning this
bureaucracy about their approval mechanisms.

Ann Twiggs, RD, LD, IBCLC
Ohio WIC Breastfeeding Coordinator