I find this a very interesting topic. I would love to see more research and
concern regarding this product. By the way, just because blood levels are
higher does not necessarily mean it is better. Increased blood levels of
most drugs indicate overdosing. Can higher blood levels mean the product is
not being absorbed, metabolized, utilized efficiently?
Janet (Adi) Brown
----- Original Message -----
From: <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 8:47 AM
Subject: IOM Meeting on Infant Formula
> Like Valerie, I was unable to attend the meeting convened by the Institute
of
> Medicine that is beginning to look at the safety of the new formulas with
> added DHA and ARA. I wrote the following letter in the hopes that it was
not
> too late to provide some input on this topic and at least make sure that I
> have made the attempt to raise the spectre of possible harm to infants
from
> consuming them. This is essentially a large uncontrolled experiment
brought
> about by the bullying tactics of the formula companies and the company
that
> makes the new fat blend. For what it's worth, here is my letter:
>
> I was unable to attend the meeting regarding the evaluation of ingredients
> new to infant formula on May 1, 2002, and hope it is not too late to
provide
> my input. My name is Marsha Walker and I am a registered nurse and
lactation
> consultant. I am quite concerned about the new formulas on the market,
Lipil
> (Mead Johnson) and Similac Advance (Ross Labs) which contain a blend of
long
> chain fatty acids in a form new to infant formula. The origin of these
fatty
> acids has the potential for introducing new toxins, new pathogens, and
> operating in a manner quite different from the way in which human-derived
> LCPUFA interact within the supporting matrix of other fatty acids,
hormones,
> etc contained in human milk.
>
> In fact, we have already started receiving reports of infants on these
> formulas demonstrating loose stools and diarrhea. One of the side effects
of
> Crypthecodiunium cohnii (the microalgae used to produce DHA) is
steatorrhea.
> The passage of fats into the stools of babies consuming this formula may
be
> occurring in these reports with the possibility of not only fat loss but
> malabsorption of other nutrients. Is anyone studying this problem?
>
> I am concerned that this artificial fat blend has been approved for use on
> the open market while at the same time the Institute of Medicine is
> conducting safety studies on the product. The composition of the committee
> studying this issue is replete with representatives of the very companies
> marketing the products heavily to mothers and health care professionals.
This
> appears as a conflict of interest.
>
> The marketing of these new formulas is cause for concern. Formula salesmen
> have canvassed the maternity hospitals in the US claiming that this
formula
> is "almost the same as breast milk" and urging nurses and physicians to
> recommend it to both formula- and breastfeeding mothers. The labeling of
the
> formula implies equivalency to breast milk and that if mothers feed this
> product to their baby, the child will derive the same benefits as if
> breastfed. The Federal Trade Commission Act prohibits unfair or deceptive
> acts or practices and any false and misleading advertisement that would
lead
> a consumer to buy or use the product. The marketing of these formulas is
> deceptive, misleading, unfair, and makes claims that are not backed up by
> evidence. Most of the studies on these formulas were funded by the formula
> companies and the company that produces the new fat blend. Sample sizes
were
> very small, making one wonder how this potential health threat to babies
has
> flooded the market, with safety studies as an afterthought. The price of
> these formulas is 30% more in the stores, making them a cash bonanza for
the
> formula companies.
>
> Parents have not been informed of the possible side effects of the use of
> these formulas nor that they are under study for safety issues. This
appears
> from my perspective as a large uncontrolled study where the subjects have
not
> provided informed consent. Please consider the health of babies above the
> commercial pressures and lobbying that is occurring to bully these
> potentially unsafe products to market. Infant formulas have a long history
of
> being recalled and withdrawn from the market for a variety of reasons. I
have
> kept the list since 1982, with the recent recall of Portagen a classic
> example of the risk artificial infant feeding products pose for American
> babies.
>
> If I may be of help or provide more input please do not hesitate to call
on
> me.
>
> Marsha Walker, RN, IBCLC
> 254 Conant Rd
> Weston, MA 02493
> Phone: 781 893-3553
> Fax: 781 893-8608
> e-mail: [log in to unmask]
>
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