Which Organic Formula is Truly Organic?
Given the controversy surrounding which formula to recommend to clients, I want to take this opportunity to guide you in the right direction.
While there are numerous European formulas available, I will focus solely on U.S. formulas to provide a more specific selection. When assessing "Organic" formulas, we can eliminate most options as they are not truly organic.
To be genuinely organic, a formula must not contain artificial ingredients. Using Martek's DHA/ARA, for example, technically violates the organic standards. It's important to note that sugar can also be considered organic. Therefore, ingredients play a significant role in selecting a formula.
According to gimmethegoodstuff.com, palm oil, which is commonly used as a primary fat source in infant formulas, may hinder the absorption of calcium and fat, potentially resulting in lower bone density. Despite this, palm oil can still be found in organic formulas. Some organic formulas also include synthetic preservatives like beta carotene and ascorbic palmitate. Additionally, carrageenan, an added stabilizer, can lead to intestinal inflammation and colon tumors. Many formulas are loaded with sugars, which may not be inorganic but are detrimental to a child's health.
Here are some other ingredients to watch out for in formulas:
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Carrageenan: This additive is commonly found in health food stores, including infant formulas. Derived from seaweed, carrageenan helps stabilize liquid formula, but numerous animal studies suggest it leads to intestinal inflammation and colon tumors. While the European Union has banned carrageenan in all infant formulas, it can still be found in both conventional and organic varieties in the United States.
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Preservatives: Synthetic preservatives like beta carotene and ascorbic palmitate are sometimes added to prevent the oils in the formula from spoiling.
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Synthetic nutrients: Several synthetic nutrients are present in organic formulas, but they are not legal in the European Union for organic formulas. These include lutein (extracted with hexane from marigolds), lycopene (produced with toluene, a neurotoxic benzene derivative), nucleotides (produced from chemically treated yeast), taurine (processed with carcinogenic sulfuric acid), and l-carnitine (which was banned by the National Organic Standards Board due to concerns over carcinogenic properties). Unfortunately, even the U.S. formula recommended below contains some of these synthetic ingredients to meet FDA nutrition requirements.
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Certain sugars: Formulas often contain added sugars to mimic the natural sweetness of breast milk. While lactose is the sweetener that closely resembles human milk, it is costly, so many manufacturers opt for plant-based sucrose instead. The European Union banned plant-based sucrose in 2009 (except for babies with allergies) due to concerns of overfeeding and subsequent obesity. The FDA does not regulate the type of sugars that can be used in formulas. Other sweeteners include maltodextrin (made from rice, corn, or potatoes) and "glucose syrup solids," which is corn syrup solids. In 2012, concerns were raised about formulas sweetened with brown rice syrup when researchers found that organic formula made with organic brown rice syrup contained six times the EPA's safe limit for arsenic.
The above information was sourced from http://foodbabe.com/2013/05/28/how-to-find-the-safest-organic-infant-formula/.
Here are some organic U.S.-made formulas: I do not recommend most of these as they are NOT truly organic
- Happy Baby Organic
- Designed by Nature
- Bright Beginnings Organic Baby Formula
- Parent's Choice Organic Baby Formula
- Similac Organic Baby Formula
- Baby's Only Organic Baby Formula
- Earth's Best Organic Baby Formula
- Vermont Organic Baby Formula
- Whole Foods 365 Organic Baby Formula
Here are the ones I recommend:
- Baby's Only Organic Baby Formula
- Designed by Nature Baby Formula
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