Live Blogging with Sonya Lunder, EWG Senior Analyst Regarding BPA in Baby Formula

I'm on a conference call with Sonya Lunder, Environmental Working Group Senior Analyst. Her new report is found here, and offers a guide to baby-safe bottles and formula. We here at LMJ realize that many parents need to use formula. In fact, our kids have had formula.

This study is meant to inform which formula contains the lowest levels of BPA. Additionally, it highlights what parents can do to take action. And for a great summary of the contents of the study (and the parent guide), click here.

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BPA in baby’s formula?

Guest post: Sonya Lunder, Environmental Working Group (reprinted with permission)

If you're like me, and have been trying to choose baby bottles and sippy cups that don't contain bisphenol A (BPA), you will probably be surprised to learn that the same chemical is in baby formula too. 

My organization surveyed major formula companies and found that every company uses a BPA-based lining on the metal parts of their formula containers. Tests by EWG and FDA show that BPA leaches out of the can into formula, making it a potent source of BPA for your baby.

Like almost every mom in America, I eventually fed my son formula, and I paid extra for the organic type for an added assurance of safety. It makes me angry to learn that my son's food was in fact packaged in a hormone disrupting plastic. This, of all food, must be carefully formulated with baby's health and safety in mind.

If you've been scouring the web for information and local stores for glass bottles, you'll want to check out our new parent's guide, which will help you make sense of the issue and point you to the best formula options. (www.ewg.org/babysafe)

Of course, you may well wonder why toxic chemicals are found in baby formula, bottles, toys and even mom's milk. The problem is that our system of safeguards doesn't require manufacturers to prove their products are safe before they are sold. I hope you will join me, my son Leif, and thousands of other families to demand safe products and a healthier environment for all kids.

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The Conference Call

Sonya: Overview of study which found significant levels of BPA in formula cans and bottles. Surveyed all USA manufacturers -- all are using BPA to line the metal cans (both liquid and powdered). At extremely low doses, BPA can affect brain development, amongst other things.

Caller: Online survey with parents feeding kids formula -- formula consumption -- hard to tell what babies are eating. Asked baby's age, weight, and what they were eating. Looked at exclusively formula fed (most intensive exposure at 4 months of life). Used CDC information -- dietary study -- when kids were eating ready to eat formula (highest concentration of BPA).

Sonya: One out of 16 would be having daily exposure to BPA that exceeds the average given to laboratory animals. Refers to other dangerous chemicals (lead, mercury, etc.), so to have these calculations that kids are getting toxic levels is unprecedented and unacceptable.

Caller: Why is it 1/16 and not 16/16?

Sonya: Babies are lightest and hungriest, so lighter babies who are eating a lot of food are getting more exposure. That's why it's a fraction of kids. But really, all kids are within an uncomfortable margin. But what we would like is to see kids having no harmful exposure.

Continues with today's report -- names formulas. Asked the companies how they are making the cans. ALL are using the BPA (including TOP AND BOTTOM LIDS). This is standard, put so there's not contact with the metal, get cans from a supplier (tells them it's safe and standard and what we're all doing).

There are differences between formulas ("powdered is better") -- size of the can and amount of water are both factors that would make for more or less BPA. So the most intense BPA is ready to eat in small can.

They feel more comfortable with babies eating powdered formula because it's more diluted before the babies are getting it. Enfmail, Nestle, Similac = only 30% of surface has BPA coating. See the website link for recommendations on brands and sizes.

Compared exposure in formula compared to plastic bottles. Baby bottle studies are done with boiling water for 24 hours and then compare levels. This is nowhere near how you would prepare bottles. There is much more when it comes to the liquid formula and what kids are getting.

American kids are eating a lot of formula. In addition to bottles, parents need to be making good choices with formula.

Caller: Hormonal and brain changes. What age are parents recognizing this? And when and what are parents seeing? Is the only thing to do is stop formula.

Sonya: BPA has been linked to Poly Cystic Ovarian Issues, Breast/Prostate developments. These are lab animal test. Only a few studies in people.  Suggests powder formula -- definitely should switch (particularly when parents don't have the option -- kids need to eat). The real issue is avoiding these exposures totally. Asking parents to write companies immediately and push for safe regulation of food and baby products!

Caller: Anything on site that parents can use to contact a representative?

Sonya: Nothing right now. The NIH is in the process of reviewing the chemical and the safety of the chemical. But for now, it's just focusing on formula companies. Everytime parents call, the companies have a script.

Everywhere when formula is in cans, even food in cans. Liquid formula in plastic container, more wasteful, but the only way (or formula in glass), but even then the lid might have it. But that's definitely the best way for parents.

Caller: Isn't there BPA in plastic?

Sonya: NO. This is #1 and #2 plastics. Very widely used. It's used in hockey shields. "Oh that's not a problem" -- but then we realize that it's also used as a lining for formula.

Caller: Baby food? YoBaby?

Sonya: These are all 1/2 plastics and if anything, it's in the lid which is small. The problem is when they are sealing the formula can, they are heating it and that can increase the amount of BPA can come out.

Caller: Question about Formula. How long has this been used? I was a formula fed baby, so have they been using this for like years?

Sonya: It's been used for years. It's hard as an advocacy group to get good info. But basically, it's been used as a can lining for a very long time. And back when we were younger, powdered formula wasn't produced, it was almost all liquid.

My question: How will we see the effects of this?

Sonya: More will require disclosure -- what's next for regulating BPA. There's something called National Children's Study -- planned and waiting federal funding. Looking at real kids and what they've been exposed to. Issue of federal funding - Bush administration has de-emphasized health and environment not helping. Contact local representatives. EWG is working to develop a bill that would shift the way we look at chemical use and certify that products are safe instead of waiting decades and wait on the government. We can go out and ask members to support this. Join the mailing list.

Caller (me): What is BPA? - an industrial chemical used to make plastic. studied since 1950s for potential to disrupt hormone systems. researched replacement for DES - once thought to help miscarriage - but turned out to be toxic hazard for developing baby. last 5-10 years blooming developing field of toxicity looks at low doses of this, and finds that most sensitive time for brain and hormone and gene modifying is during pregnancy and very early life. Last 5-10 years looked at these in a new way -- set up cells and organs to be more sensitive to more diseases later in life. It permanently alters brain, nervous system development. BSA studies show breasts and prostate cells are affected and more susceptible later in life to hormonal changes. More sensitive to more hormones.

When you think about laundry lists, pretty neverending, these are focusing on pregnancy and early infancy.

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If you'd like to reach Sonya, you can email her at: generalinfo@ewg.org or leave your questions in the comments!

 

Comments

[Amanda]

Wow, what a useful record of the call! Thanks LMJ.

[wordwise]

First of all, the concern is with liquid formula cans.

Second of all, the organization that is pulling the alarm is partially funded by Barbara Streisand and other parisan groups which are anti-corporation and anti-formula feeding.

Let's wait for the facts. How many children have cancer as a result of this? If this is a cause, there must be causational correlations, no?

Yes, we should make formula safer. Babies deserve the best options available, formula included.

[Lactivista]

WW - If you read the report, it's fairly even sided when it comes to breastfeeding and formula feeding.

[Anne]

First of all I think raising awareness about this issue is very important. My main concern about the information found from this study is this:

The World Health Organization considers infants 2 months and younger to be at a much higher risk for illness from contamination of improperly prepared formula (powdered). As far as I've seen it's generally recommended that infants in the USA that are younger than 4 weeks (neonates..) received the sterile, liquid formula. The WHO suggests this should be extended to 8 weeks of age.

Powdered infant formula is not sterile. While the risks of consuming a sterile, liquid formula are greater in relation to the BPA levels - the risks of illness and even death from salmonella and E. sakazakii as a result of improper preparation of powdered, non-sterile formulas are something to be weighed very carefully.

As a mom and lactation counselor and educator - I see almost no one preparing formula in the sterile manner that is outlined by the WHO guidelines. Most moms are using tap water...they aren't boiling it...or thinking about lead contamination, etc.

My concern is that your article and its findings could cause formula feeding moms to forgo the sterile, liquid formula because of newsworthy concern over BPA - and in turn feed their infant a contaminated, powdered formula that was not prepared in a sterile manner.

The WHO has published guidelines for preparing powdered infant formula (PIF) and it's my sincere wish that all pediatricians and anyone who has any contact with formula feeding moms would have a copy and hand out them out to all new moms.

http://www.who.int/foodsafety/publications/micro/pif_guidelines.pdf

The formula companies certainly aren't putting directions for sterile preparation on their cans - I've been reading them since I learned about sterile preparation...

And Nestle active cultures formula suggests preparing their product with water less than 100 degree F. This would certainly open up the opportunity for a contaminated formula to sicken an innocent child.

Wouldn't it be so much easier if everyone could breastfeed?

[Erin]

It would be really nice to see a more balanced presentation on the perceived hazard of bispheol-A in polycarbonate plastics than that of the EWG.

The EU, as well as individual member nations, have looked into the topic and found no cause for alarm, the same position as the NIH Toxicology group, after recent and extensive work. I find this very reassuring, considering the more precautionary approach to health seen in Europe.

[christine]

Correct me if I'm wrong but...i still don't believe the question has been answered anywhere about the dangers of the pre mixed Similac Organic formula in the white plastic bottle. Again it is not a can.

[beco butterfly]

We all should maintain the proper quality standards for the healthy growth of future generations to come.