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Rocket Fuel Found in Infant Formula
Filed under: Alerts & Recalls
If you've run out of reasons to feel guilty about choosing bottle over breast, here's one to get you back on track: Scientists have found traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel in powdered baby formula. When mixed with water contaminated with the same chemical, the levels could exceed those that are considered safe for adult consumption.
At a time when women are feeling more and more pressure to breastfeed, studies like this seem like one more way to make those of us who choose bottle feeding feel bad about our decision. Congratulations, you might be poisoning the baby!
Don't get too upset just yet, though, and don't toss the formula; there's no clear evidence that the affected formula is dangerous for your baby. Although scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the chemical, perchlorate, in several brands of formula, there's no evidence that tainted baby formula has caused any health problems, although perchlorate has been linked to thyroid problems. This particular study, however, "wasn't a study of health effects," said Dr. Joshua Schier, one of the study's authors, which means simply that the scientists don't really know what the effects might be.
Hopefully, that study is coming. And soon. Because all this study seems to do is give us one more reason to question how we feed our kids, which is really unfortunate.
The dangerous levels of perchlorate occurred when contaminated formula was mixed with contaminated water. Perchlorate has been found in several cities' drinking water; it may be naturally occurring, but it's more likely that it came from defense and aerospace sites. Of the 4,000 sites the EPA tested, 131 had detectable levels of perchlorate and 31 had levels high enough to exceed EPA safety levels.
So how serious is this? There are two answers, really. The study found that a small sample of several unnamed brands of infant formula were contaminated with perchlorate; if you live in a community where the water is also contaminated, there might be cause for worry. But there's no hard and fast evidence, just yet, that perchlorate in infant formula is making kids sick.
At the same time, though, it's horrifying that infant formula contains even trace amounts of something that is used to make rockets go. That's inexcusable and unacceptable. There is no such thing as a "safe" level of rocket fuel for human consumption, particularly infant consumption. The choice of bottle instead of breast shouldn't ever be one that leaves parents worried about feeding the baby something toxic. Infant formula -- and the water it is mixed with -- should be free of potentially toxic chemicals.
Or at least free of rocket fuel.
At a time when women are feeling more and more pressure to breastfeed, studies like this seem like one more way to make those of us who choose bottle feeding feel bad about our decision. Congratulations, you might be poisoning the baby!
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Don't get too upset just yet, though, and don't toss the formula; there's no clear evidence that the affected formula is dangerous for your baby. Although scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found the chemical, perchlorate, in several brands of formula, there's no evidence that tainted baby formula has caused any health problems, although perchlorate has been linked to thyroid problems. This particular study, however, "wasn't a study of health effects," said Dr. Joshua Schier, one of the study's authors, which means simply that the scientists don't really know what the effects might be.
Hopefully, that study is coming. And soon. Because all this study seems to do is give us one more reason to question how we feed our kids, which is really unfortunate.
The dangerous levels of perchlorate occurred when contaminated formula was mixed with contaminated water. Perchlorate has been found in several cities' drinking water; it may be naturally occurring, but it's more likely that it came from defense and aerospace sites. Of the 4,000 sites the EPA tested, 131 had detectable levels of perchlorate and 31 had levels high enough to exceed EPA safety levels.
So how serious is this? There are two answers, really. The study found that a small sample of several unnamed brands of infant formula were contaminated with perchlorate; if you live in a community where the water is also contaminated, there might be cause for worry. But there's no hard and fast evidence, just yet, that perchlorate in infant formula is making kids sick.
At the same time, though, it's horrifying that infant formula contains even trace amounts of something that is used to make rockets go. That's inexcusable and unacceptable. There is no such thing as a "safe" level of rocket fuel for human consumption, particularly infant consumption. The choice of bottle instead of breast shouldn't ever be one that leaves parents worried about feeding the baby something toxic. Infant formula -- and the water it is mixed with -- should be free of potentially toxic chemicals.
Or at least free of rocket fuel.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
4-04-2009 @ 9:43AM
LS said...So THAT'S why kids have so much energy these days!!!
Seriously, the scientific community needs to keep some of these studies under wraps until there ARE "hard and fast" answers. And the press needs to take a breath and stop sensationalizing every little study that comes out.
Because honestly, our bodies can process out a certain amount of toxins. I agree that if there is a dangerous level of something in a food source, then it should be eliminated. But at this point, there hasn't been a *single* report of any problems caused by perchlorate. The story is filled with "might", "possibly", "maybe", "no clear sign", and finally, that this particular chemical "might be naturally occurring".
Why not sit back and relax, and let the scientists do their work. Wait until they find conclusive evidence that it is detrimental before you start a letter writing campaign, and begin bashing (once again) the formula makers and women who choose not to, or cannot, breast feed?
(by the way, "it's horrifying that infant formula contains even trace amounts of something that is used to make rockets go".... really? Rockets use a chemical called Dihydrogen Monoxide (http://www.dhmo.org) to "go", and you ingest it multiple times a day.)
Reply
4-04-2009 @ 10:36AM
Joy said...Your not slamming non breast-feeding mothers MUCH are you?
"If you've run out of reasons to feel guilty about choosing bottle over breast, here's one to get you back on track."
"Congratulations, you might be poisoning the baby!"
This post really angers me. Not everyone can breast feed. I usually leave the breast-feeding posts alone because I medically couldn't do it but this one takes the cake. To assume that it's simply always a choice one makes is pretty judgmental on your part.
Why was nobody brave enough to put their name on this post and it's written by the "ParentDish Staff?" This is a very poorly written post and should anger all of us. NOT ALL people can breast-feed. What about adoptive parents or fostering parent's or people who medically just can't? I wouldn't have said anything at all had it not been for the snarky remarks.
Reply
4-04-2009 @ 1:12PM
LS said...What she said.
Go Joy!!
4-05-2009 @ 9:35PM
Kbutler1732 said...I agree 100% Thank you for your voice! I couldn't have said it better myself.
4-05-2009 @ 10:21PM
Char said...I agree with everything you said, I, too had guilt when I had difficulty nursing my first-born and had to switch him to formula, but, I do think that the writer of this article was being sarcastic.
I feel that they were making "fun" of the pressure "experts" put on new moms to breastfeed.
I personally think its hard enough to be a new mom without adding more pressure! Thankfully, my Pediatrician urged me to do what was right fo us, and not to worry what anyone else said.
As for poisoning our babies, everything is poisonous in one form or another. To avoid endangering your child, don't have any, because it is unavoidable! Instead, feel blessed for what you have and enjoy your life and family!
4-09-2009 @ 10:38PM
kara said...I have been reading up on the "rocket fuel in formula" and us bottle feeding moms have nothing to feel guilty about considering not breast feeding. The rocket fuel has also been found in BREAST MILK.
"Texas Tech University researchers studied 36 samples of breast milk from women in 18 states and 47 samples cow's milk purchased from stores in 11 states. Every sample of breast milk contained perchlorate, as did all but one sample of dairy milk. Previous studies have found perchlorate in drinking water, on lettuce, and in cows milk. The highest levels were found in women from New Jersey, New Mexico, Missouri, Nebraska and California, in that order." http://www.livescience.com/health/050224_rocket_fuel.html
This study was done in 2005 so I can just imagine how much worse it is now. I think we should all be concerned regardless of how we are feeding our babies. In 2008, the congress voted not to monitor the amount of perchlorate in our drinking water.
4-04-2009 @ 10:36AM
Amy said...If you remember, a few months ago we were all freaked out because they've also found perchlorate in breastmilk.
Reply
4-05-2009 @ 1:27AM
Kimberly said...Rocket Fuel (and loads of other crap) is in our water... so our breasts and our formula have it. I am breastfeeding mother, but I HATE when people try to make the other side feel like crap for choices.
The post is specifically written to get readers, and by the anger on these comment section they did good job.
4-04-2009 @ 5:11PM
Emily said...As a science I teacher, I always shake my head at this kind of report. You see, EVERYTHING is poisonous, it just depends on the amount and the method of exposure. LS pointed out the classic- dihydrogen monoxide is responsible for tons of deaths each year....yes, it's good old water. My biggest issue with this post is the title- how outrageously inflammatory to word it like that! They did NOT find rocket fuel in baby formula (which would be pretty alarming). They found an INGREDIENT that is used in rocket formula. There is a HUGE difference.
I am a first time mom, and very much looking forward to trying breastfeeding for the first time. I do think that nature's way is the ideal (I also use reusable bags at the grocery, am going to try cloth diapers, etc.) but sometimes it is not possible, and it's awful for the poor mothers who physically cannot breastfeed to terrorize them all the time. Get a life.
Reply
4-04-2009 @ 11:12PM
Carol said...Shame on you! Isn't there enough fear in this world without you using it to hurt other mothers?
Great mothers use formula. Great mother's also breastfeed.
Please stop using judgmental and derogatory language to describe our sisters.
Reply
4-05-2009 @ 10:16AM
bigsmashzone said...If you remember, a few months ago we were all freaked out because they've also found perchlorate in breastmilk.
Reply
4-05-2009 @ 12:39PM
Kim said...Wow, thanks for that totally inaccurate PANIC of a title on this article. I'm also blown away by the anti-formula tone of it as well.
As a mother of twins, I found it super hard to keep up an adequate supply of breastmilk for them and keep them satisfied. Therefore I have to supplement a little bit with formula - so I actually stand on both sides of the infant feeding line.
To the author of this article, please try to be a little less judgmental. To the media at large who reported on this finding, ease up on the sensationalism. Get some hard facts before you start blurting this stuff out.
Reply
4-05-2009 @ 8:15PM
William Bischoff said...Mothers ARE NOT poisoning their babies!. The manufacturers of the baby formula ARE GUILTY OF NOT TAKING PROPER SAFEGUARDS TO ASSURE THAT THE FORMULA IS NOT CONTAMINATED BEFORE IT IS PUT ON THE SHELVES FOR CONSUMERS. Should be just STOP BUYING ANYTHING FROM THE STORES, MARKETS AND OTHER SOURCES WE USE FOR OUR FOOD, DRINK, AND OTHER NECESSITIES OF LIFE? Should we just keep saying to ourselves that "we may be poisoning ourselves if we choose to buy anything commercially sold? ROCKET FUEL CONTAMINATION! This is outrageous! Then to try to put a "guilt trip on mothers because they BOUGHT AND USED THE CONTAMINATED FORMULA is EVEN MORE OUTRAGEOUS!!!
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4-05-2009 @ 8:20PM
elektra1220 said...i didn't breast-feed my baby, so i obviously poisoned her right? thanks aol for putting this completely unfair post up. whoever wrote this is complete ass. great mothers breast feed and great mothers bottle feed. i hope you throw away your keyboards and shoot yourself in the face. thanks.
by the way, my daughter is perfectly healthy and intelligent.
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4-05-2009 @ 8:27PM
KC said...China just sentenced to men to death, and a woman to life in prison for the melamine contamination, with 6 more people to go on trial (www.presstv.com). Melamine kills babies, but our FDA says it's okay, so - - - non Chinese companies are selling us the same stuff but the fix is in - - - maybe companies right here in the US.
Reply
4-05-2009 @ 8:38PM
shelly said...I guarantee this was written by an uneducated person, who has never had to chose between going back to work (to support their child) or who has never been told that they can not produce the milk their child needs. So do NOT come at us with stories like this... and i quote "Congratulations, you might be poisoning the baby!" excuse fuckin me!!! Uh we aren't poisoning our babies, apparently the makers of this formula are. And as far as going through and not putting your name up, I must say that was a wise choice, coward. To all the ladies this offended I am sorry, some people are just beyond ignorant!
-Shelly-
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4-05-2009 @ 9:58PM
sadie said...this made me really upset. its NOT possible for everyone to breastfeed and in addition there will always be something wrong with the things we eat no matter what. like that new study " hot beverages are linked to throat cancer" like please.
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4-06-2009 @ 3:35PM
Jen said...I'm almost positive that the author was being super-sarcastic about mothers who bottle-feed needing another reason to feel guilty. No need to fuss. She's on your side.
4-05-2009 @ 9:05PM
Dee said...Yes, some (and I do exaggerate that) feel guilty for not breastfeeding, but to "congratulate" us for possible poison? How dare you! What about those who can't breastfeed? Way to make us feel worse!
You should be ashamed of yourselves.
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4-05-2009 @ 9:26PM
Tabitha said...The idiot who wrote this story did post it with their name. It says, Susan Wagnor. This story is obviously written by someone that didn't do all the homework and research to present all the real facts. She should be fired for her sloppy, half assed, insulting post. I am not a mother yet, but I don't think it's anyones business whether a woman chooses to breast feed or not. If this story is actually factual, the FDA would be pulling cans left and right of the store shelves. It just goes to show you, that you can't trust the media. They don't write facts, they write whatever catches attention.
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