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Nanoparticles in Baby Formula




Yum

May 17, 2016 by Andrea Fabry 13 Comments

Have you heard of nanoparticles? Little is known about the long-term health effects of this man-made technology, and yet we’re putting them into all sorts of cosmetics and foods—including food for our most vulnerable population.

What do you need to know about nanoparticles in baby formula?

A new report by Friends of the Earth has found nano-ingredients in six popular baby formulas. Find out why this is concerning and what you can do about it!

What is Nanotechnology?

Nanoparticles are minute-sized engineered particles approximately one thousand times thinner than a human hair.

Sunscreen nanoparticlesSynthetic nanotechnology is a relatively new phenomenon and involves the manipulation of materials at a microscopic level. Zinc particles, for example, can be reduced in such a way that typically white zinc can become translucent. Sunscreens, therefore, need no longer leave a white residue.

The problem is that we know little about the health effects of this type of manipulation. What we do know is that they are more chemically reactive and more bioactive than larger particles, in part because their small size permits them to enter cells, tissues, and organs, thus expanding the risk of toxicity.

What’s more, because this technology is so new, there are no laws in place when it comes to regulating nanoparticles. Where does this leave the consumer? Especially when it comes to infants?

Nanoparticles in Baby Formula

On May 17, 2016, the consumer watchdog group Friends of the Earth released an alarming report identifying three types of nanoparticles found in six different baby formulas. Read the report in its entirety here.

Final chart from Friends of the Earth

Three Types of Nanoparticles Found in Popular Baby Formula

1. Nano-hydroxyapatite 

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HA) is most likely a source of calcium in the formula. It’s possible that it’s being used as an abrasive, bulking, and emulsion stabilizer. Typically the needle form is used in oral and bone surgeries. The European Union’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has suggested that nano-HA in needle form is toxic and should not be used in cosmetics such as toothpaste, teeth whiteners, and mouthwashes.

This Material Safety Data Sheet from Sigma-Aldrich says to avoid contact and inhalation. While the amounts surely differ, does it make sense to put a known hazard in baby formula?

2. Nano titanium dioxide 

Nano titanium dioxide, or TiO2, is a food whitener for food and beverage products and serves as an anti-caking agent. Studies show that TiO2 can damage DNA, disrupt cell function, and trigger inflammation due to the adsorbing properties of these tiny particles. A 2015 study found that food grade TiO2 is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. (See the study here.)

Dunkin’ Donuts removed TiO2 from their products in 2015, so it’s clearly possible to formulate foods without this risky ingredient.

3. Nano silica dioxide 

Nano silica is used as a flowing agent in powdered food products and as a clearing agent in beer and wine. It’s also used as a food coating. Research shows that a significant percentage of nano silica remains undissolved and stays in the gut. (See the study here.)

Friends of the Earth Image


#Nanoparticles in #BabyFormula? New report by @foe_us.#NanoBabyFormula

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The Call for Government Regulation

Nanoparticles are nowhere to be found on baby formula labels. Unfortunately, there is no mandatory oversight of nanoparticles. Labeling is strictly voluntary and non-binding. (See the FDA stance on nanotechnology here.)

With this report, Friends of the Earth is calling on the FDA to go beyond voluntary guidelines, asking them to:

  • Enact a moratorium on new commercial nanotech products
  • Assess safety (test) and recall baby formulas with nanoparticle ingredients
  • Regulate nanomaterials as novel substances
  • Extend the size-based definition of nanomaterials up to 500 nm in size
  • Protect workers
  • Label products that contain nanomaterials

What about baby formula makers?

Baby formula in storeFriends of the Earth is asking manufacturers to:

  • Recall formula
  • Remove nanomaterials
  • Create nanomaterial policies and ensure transparency in labeling

What Can I Do?

The first step is to become informed, which you’re doing by reading this post. Learn much more by reading the Friends of the Earth report here. Other actions include:

  • Breastfeed (or encourage breastfeeding) when possible.
  • Contact baby formula manufacturers (even if their products are organic). Ask them if they use nanoparticles. If so, ask them to remove them

This edition of The Connecting Place features and interview with lead researcher Ian Illuminato.

Filed Under: Gut Health, Natural Health, Natural Living Tagged With: baby, baby formula, consumer, dioxide, FDA, food, formula, formulas, Friends of the Earth, nano, nanoparticles, nanotechnology, particles, products, safety, study

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Comments

  1. Megan Stevens says

    May 17, 2016 at 6:49 am

    I wasn’t aware of this. Thanks for the informative post and wake-up call!

    Reply
  2. linda spiker says

    May 17, 2016 at 7:04 am

    This technology is sure to have an up and a down side. For instance, I have read amazing things about their use in fighting cancer. That said everyday use in cosmetics and foods scares me.

    Reply
  3. Tash says

    May 17, 2016 at 9:32 am

    This is really alarming! Thank you so much for sharing this! You really have to watch out for everything nowadays…so sad =/

    Reply
  4. Anna@GreenTalk says

    May 17, 2016 at 6:21 pm

    They are so unregulated. I wrote about nanos years ago. There is so much we don’t know. How can we trust them with our babies?

    Reply
  5. Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    May 17, 2016 at 7:39 pm

    Wow, this is so sad. I had no idea about this. Thanks for sharing this with us Andrea.

    Reply
  6. Renee Kohley says

    May 22, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    This is disturbing 🙁 I had no idea.

    Reply
  7. Beth says

    May 22, 2016 at 1:17 pm

    Thanks for sharing. As someone who wasn’t able to 100% breastfeed, I appreciate that this article is informative without formula shaming. I’ll definitely be looking into the formulas I recommend to moms who must supplement to see if they include nanoparticles.

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      May 23, 2016 at 8:38 am

      Thanks for the feedback, Beth. I used formula at some point for all of my kids. This was 14 years ago and I wonder today if they were using this technology back then. The only thing we can do is use our knowledge to propel us forward. I plan on doing the same thing – having moms contact the formula maker.

      Reply
  8. Raia says

    May 25, 2016 at 1:02 pm

    Ug. What are we doing to ourselves? Thanks for researching this, Andrea, and for sharing it at Savoring Saturdays.

    Reply
  9. Jessica says

    December 6, 2016 at 11:38 am

    What is a good formula to use that does not contain nanoparticles?

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      December 6, 2016 at 12:35 pm

      That’s a great question, Jessica. It’s worth asking the various companies – even organic formula makers…you can also consider making your own:
      http://www.westonaprice.org/beginner-videos/baby-formula-video-by-sarah-pope-2/#fcf

      Reply
  10. Catherine says

    February 6, 2017 at 1:37 pm

    Babies with cow milk intolerance can use Capra Goat’s Milk Formula. We are having good success with that and it feels good to make our own formula and know what’s in it!

    Reply
    • Andrea Fabry says

      February 7, 2017 at 2:18 pm

      Thanks for this tip, Catherine!

      Reply

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MEET ANDREA

I am a certified Building Biology Advocate, a former journalist, mother of nine, and avid CrossFitter who likes to think outside the box. After our family's health crisis in 2008, I learned to ask questions about what's in our food, our water, and our air. I hope to empower you as you seek to live safely in a complex world. Thankfully, small steps lead to big changes. Let's travel this road together, one step at a time.

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