Martek (maker of DHA and AA oils for infant formula and adult
supplements)seems to be in the news alot lately.  I read with interest the
Washington Post article (thank you Debbie Tobin) on how Martek sales have
increased 169 percent. How truly amazing that this company "bears only a
fraction of the marketing and sales costs associated with the end product."
I guess the day will come when all formulas will have Martek's DHA and AA
oils.

The news that Martek's manufacturing plant in Winchester, Kentucky is being
blamed for the explosion and destruction of  a wastewater treatment plant
building seems to be buried in the news releases.  This destruction caused
the release of raw sewage into the waterway.  But we will all be happy to
know that this destruction did "not effect the company's operations or have a
material negative financial impact." (Washington Post-April 9, 2003)  It
seems that the Kentucky State Fire Marshall believes that it was the
"inadvertent discharge" of hexane gas emissions from the Martek plant that
leveled the one wastewater treatment plant.  Hexane is used to extract the
microbial oils.  Rather eye-opening that living near a plant that produces
oils for infant formula might be a little risky.

Of course, we must ask ourselves what is the true cost of our investment in a
biotech industry that makes "novel" ingredients for infants?  Certainly for
the residents of Winchester, Kentucky, the cost was a wastewater treatment
plant and raw sewage in their waterways.  Thankfully no one was injured or
died in the explosion.  I would hope that governments when they assess the
risks of infant formula might consider this cost and risk to our society.
Valerie W. McClain, IBCLC

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