This is true, In UK there was a research from government. They found this
stuff (a very much used stuff in plastics) in formula, almost all brands
there available. It seems to be another scandal in UK, but it stopped
now. Government said there is no need for panic, but people didn't
believe them (because of the mad-cows-disease). European Community have
seen the research results and reassured it isn't dangerous.

Phthalates isn't the only stuff that is known to cause this kind of
problems, (male) fertility, genitals undetrgrown, testicles cancer and
breastcancer. Al suspected to be caused by pseudo-estrogens. Other
pseudo-estrogens are DDT, PCB's and other pesticides, plastics, and
anti-oxidants.

Although this is found in formula, there is now reason to believe that
breastmilk is free of these stuff, bc it is so general used.

Most of these stuff are fat-soluble.

On the web more about this:
http://www.ed.ac.uk/~amw/phthalates.html
http://www.ed.ac.uk/~amw/oestrogenic.html


Annelies Bon
Mother of Dirk (Dec 2, 90), Tom (Oct 29, 92) and Pieter (Feb 19, 96)
Computerlinguist at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Maintainer of the FAQ: Breastfeeding after c-section, available at:
         http://www.greatstar.com/lois/bfcsec.html
email: [log in to unmask]
My homepage is: http://www.flnet.nl/~0bon01/