Group finds hormone-mimicking chemical in all liquid baby formula it tests
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Meg Kissinger
Published December 6, 2007
A report released Wednesday found that all liquid baby formula tested by a consumer health group contained bisphenol A, a hormone-mimicking chemical that has been found to cause hyperactivity, sexual development abnormalities and pediatric brain cancer in laboratory animals.
Two government panels, including one that has come under fire as being biased toward chemical-makers, have warned this year that bisphenol A might be dangerous to developing fetuses and children younger than 3. A Journal Sentinel investigation found that an overwhelming majority of independent scientific research determined that bisphenol A causes harm to lab animals.
Wednesday's study was conducted by Environmental Working Group, a consumer health advocacy group, which also led the charge for reforms in the manufacturing of baby bottles. A scientist for the group said the findings should prompt parents to demand a change in packaging. Bisphenol A is commonly used to line metal cans.
"This will give parents the information they need," said Sonya Lunder, a senior analyst with Environmental Working Group.
"They demanded changes in baby bottles," Lunder said. "Now, it's time for baby formula packaging."
Formula manufacturers said there is no reason for parents to worry.
"We are not calling for any changes in feeding practices at this time," said Marisa Salcines, a spokeswoman for the International Formula Council, an organization that represents all infant formula manufacturers in North America. "Parents and health professionals can be assured that infant formula is safe and nutritious."
Powder recommended
The levels of bisphenol A detected in the tests are trace amounts that do not do harm to humans, said Haley Stevens, scientific affairs coordinator with the International Formula Council.
The consumer group study found that all major baby formula manufacturers use metal cans lined with bisphenol A. The group did not test powdered formula. Yet its calculations showed that, based on packaging materials and volume, powdered formulas contained less bisphenol A.
The Journal Sentinel reviewed more than 250 studies spanning 20 years. Eighty percent of those studies concluded that bisphenol A caused harm in laboratory animals. Many of the studies determined that the chemical posed health risks at very low doses.
Although there are no tests of bisphenol A on humans because of ethical concerns, many scientists have said that if the chemical causes harm in animals, it is likely harming humans, too. More and more scientists suspect bisphenol A might play a role in a host of medical problems that have been on the rise in humans, including breast cancer, testicular cancer, diabetes, obesity and hyperactivity.
Lunder said parents looking to minimize their babies' exposure to bisphenol A should use powdered formula diluted with filtered water.
Bisphenol A was detected in every brand of liquid formula tested. The group found significant differences in bisphenol A's potential to leach from liquid and powdered formulas.
"Our modeling suggests that powdered formulas are a better choice for babies," the report says.
No changes planned
The group calculated three factors that determine bisphenol A's leaching potential from different types of formula containers, and concluded that liquid formulas have eight to 20 times higher potential to leach than the most common powdered formulas because of smaller can sizes and because the product is less diluted with water.
The consumer group and the Food and Drug Administration have tested liquid formulas. The group tested six, and the FDA tested 14 samples. Both studies found on average 5 parts per billion of bisphenol A, and four samples with more than 10 parts per billion. At these concentrations, lighter and hungrier babies will exceed the daily doses of bisphenol A that have been found harmful by the most sensitive laboratory studies, the study says.
Gail Wood, a spokeswoman for Mead Johnson Nutritionals, which makes Enfamil, one of the top-selling baby formulas, said the FDA has not banned bisphenol A.
"If we ever thought it posed a risk, we would change our packaging," she said. "We see no need right now to change."
Bisphenol A is used to make hard, clear plastic and is found in hundreds of household products, including DVDs, CDs, PVC water pipes, eyeglasses and dental sealants.
