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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