Formula milk "contaminated" - researcher

Thursday September 2nd, 2010

The use of formula milk for infants is controversial - and now new research says it has too much aluminium in it.

The formula milk is "contaminated", researchers say, and contains up to 40 times as much aluminium as breast milk.

They are also several times the safe levels allowed in drinking water.

Researchers at Keele University, Staffordshire, tested 15 different infant milk products.

Writing in the journal BMC Pediatrics, Dr Chris Exley says manufacturers insist aluminium is not meant to be added to the products.

He says: "The sources of such contamination are myriad though would probably include equipment used in both processing and storing of bulk products. In addition many of the formulas were packaged for sale using aluminium-based materials.

"The high content of aluminium in the soya-based formula probably reflects its prior accumulation in the soybean plant and the known aluminium tolerance of some soybean cultivars that are grown on acid soils."

He added: "While it is the case that the present levels of aluminium in infant formulas have not been shown to cause adverse effects in healthy infants, it is also the case that there have not been any clinical studies which refute such as a possibility."

Tags: Child Health | Childbirth and Pregnancy | Diet & Food | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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