Nanoparticles in baby formula: 5 reasons for concern
by Ian Illuminato, health and environmental campaigner
Ever wonder what’s in baby formula? Take a quick look at the ingredients list and you’ll find nearly 50 ingredients in most formulas (before cow’s milk concentrate), yet there are still ingredients missing from the list — nanoparticles.
Friends of the Earth commissioned an independent laboratory analysis of popular baby formulas to find out if they contain nanoparticles (extremely tiny man-made particles). There is little information available for parents to learn about where these ingredients are used and what their risks might be.
We found engineered nano ingredients in all six baby formulas tested: Gerber® Good Start® Gentle, Gerber® Good Start® Soothe, Enfamil™, Similac® Advance® OptiGRO™ (liquid), Similac® Advance® OptiGRO™ (powder), and Well Beginnings™ Advantage®. The research and results are detailed in a new report released last month, “Nanoparticles in Baby Formula: Tiny new ingredients are a big concern.” The engineered nanoparticles we found in baby formula include: nano-hydroxyapatite in needle-like form (nano HA), nano titanium dioxide (TiO2), and nano silicon dioxide (SiO2).
Baby formula goes high tech
While discussions about breast milk alternatives have gone on for thousands of years, the first commercial infant formula came about in the mid-19th century. Formula ingredients started simple, containing only cow’s milk, wheat, malt flour, and potassium bicarbonate. (If you’re interested in more information about the fascinating history of infant feeding, take a look at this excellent science journal article).
Two hundred years later, companies are now adding engineered nanoparticles to baby formula. The use of these beyond microscopic ingredients in baby formula raises many urgent questions and concerns:
1. Why are companies putting ingredients in baby formula that EU government scientists say shouldn’t be used in consumer products?
The European Union Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety found that needle-like nano-hydroxyapatite — one of the nanomaterials we found in Gerber®, Well Beginnings™ and Enfamil™ formulas — is potentially toxic, could be absorbed by and enter cells, and should not be used in cosmetics such as toothpaste, teeth whiteners and mouth washes. A material that should not be used in cosmetics raises greater concern when used in food.
2. Nano ingredients pose threats to human health but are not regulated or assessed for safety before they are put on the market.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration is charged with ensuring baby formulas are safe, however, the FDA does not approve the safety of infant formulas before they can be marketed. The FDA requires that baby formulas meet certain nutritional requirements and are screened for pathogens, and companies must register with the FDA and provide a notice before marketing a formula. However, these rules do not include screening or safety testing of nanomaterials or other potentially toxic synthetic ingredients. Baby formulas are intended for our most vulnerable population and should be regulated with the utmost of care. All infant formulas should be thoroughly tested for safety before they hit store shelves.
3. Nanomaterials present novel risks to human health.
Recent studies have found that these nanomaterials may pose risks to human health if ingested or inhaled. Especially concerning: the nanoparticles found in the three powdered formulas we tested provide a probable inhalation hazard for babies, parents and other care givers, as well as workers involved in the manufacturing of these products.
Nanomaterials have unique properties that offer many new opportunities for food industry applications. They can be used as nutritional additives, flavoring and coloring, anti-caking agents or as antibacterial ingredients for food packaging. However, the same properties exhibited at the nano-scale that make these materials attractive for use in the food industry may also result in greater toxicity for humans and the environment. (See full report for summary of the latest science).
4. Nanotechnology raises ethical and social justice concerns.
Serious ethical and social justice concerns must be addressed in the regulation of nanotechnology. In the case of baby formula, infants may be at greater risk of suffering health harms because of their more vulnerable physiology. Children’s immune, central nervous, reproductive and digestive systems are still developing, and at certain early stages of development, exposure to toxicants can lead to irreversible damage which can increase risk of disease later in life.
Food sector workers represent another vulnerable population as they may come into contact with nanomaterials during production, packaging, transport and waste disposal of food, food packaging and agrochemicals. As one example, the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration states that nano-scale titanium dioxide, which we found in baby formula samples, is a potential occupational carcinogen. Baby formula should be the last place for companies to experiment with new food technologies that haven’t been proven safe.
5. When it comes to protecting the public, the U.S. lags behind Europe.
European regulators have enacted a range of precautionary policies for nanotechnologies. The European Parliament is working towards a moratorium on novel foods containing nanomaterials. France, Belgium and Denmark have implemented mandatory registries for nanomaterials, and the EU has implemented a nanofood-labeling regime. Unfortunately none of these policies exist in the United States. American babies deserve protection too.
Nanoparticles aren’t the only problem with baby formula
Beyond the concerns highlighted in the new Friends of the Earth report, baby formulas are under fire for other problems resulting from lax regulations. In May, a respected British medical journal called for a complete ban of infant formula marketing on social media channels, noting that richer countries often have the lowest breastfeeding rates and the “fewest legal protections” for infant formula. “From tobacco, to sugar, to formula milk, the most vulnerable suffer when commercial interests collide with public health,” wrote the editors of The Lancet.
In April, the Organic Consumers Association announced a lawsuit against companies for falsely labeling their baby formula products as organic.
When it comes to new food technologies, Friends of the Earth supports robust laws and regulations for precautionary decision-making, including pre-market safety assessments and full transparency. These policies are especially crucial for foods consumed by infants.
In terms of unregulated and unlabelled nanoparticles in baby formula, Friends of the Earth is demanding that the FDA immediately recall baby formulas with nanoparticle ingredients and assess the safety of these ingredients. We also call on companies to recall formula containing nanomaterials, remove nanomaterials from their products and create precautionary policies for making decisions about nanomaterials.
Until government and companies manage nanotechnology in a responsible and transparent manner, there are steps we can take to protect our health:
- Breastfeed when and if possible;
- Hold the U.S. government and the food industry accountable: Join Friends of the Earth to demand a moratorium on the use of nanotechnology in the food sector and urge policy makers to regulate and label food, food packaging and agricultural products containing manufactured nanomaterials;
- Contact baby formula manufacturers and ask them to remove nanomaterials from their products.
While the issue of nanoparticles in baby formula is complex, the take home message is simple: In essence, a product fed to millions of infants should not be allowed on the market if we are not certain that the ingredients are safe for human consumption. The health and well-being of children and future generations is up to all of us.
Take action: Sign the petition that asks companies to remove nano ingredients from baby formula.
Read more about nanotechnology and our campaigns here.
