USDA Organic Infant Formula Contains Pesticide Labeled As A NutrientSayer Ji Unbeknownst to the vast majority of U.S. consumers, the nutritional adequacy of infant formula it not determined by its ability to support and produce health in those who receive it, as would be expected. Instead, it is deemed nutritionally adequate solely by virtue of it containing minimum quantities of a list of 29 nutrients, without specifying or even acknowledging the significant qualitative differences that exist between minerals in the form of nutrients and those in the form of industrial chemicals, e.g. amino acid-chelated forms of iron (iron glycinate) are much safer than relatively inorganic forms (ferrous oxide). Surprisingly, all that regulators do is ensure that those ingredients are there in the amounts deemed necessary, and that some basic quality control measures are followed during the manufacturing process. A recent review summarized the U.S. rules as follows: Infant formula, like no other food, is regulated by its own law, the Infant Formula Act of 1980 as amended in 1986. The act sets lower limits on 29 nutrients (so-called table nutrients because they appear in table form. U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR 107.100). . . . Manufacturers are required to follow good manufacturing practice, but no requirement for sterility is specified. . . . Powdered formula is not guaranteed nor required to be free of pathogenic organisms (Baker, 2002). Essentially, the only thing infant formula does is keep children alive, and hopefully growing at a pace deemed acceptable by pediatric clinical growth standards. But even infant formulas ability to keep children alive is increasingly coming into question. A recent review published in Archives of Diseases in Childhood revealed a disturbing statistic: Currently, suboptimal breastfeeding is associated with over a million deaths each year and 10% of the global disease burden in children.[2] Considering this estimate, a fair question to ask is how much of this mortality burden is caused solely by a lack of breastfeeding/breast milk, and how much of this is being caused by the formula itself? There is no denying that a sizable body of clinical and epidemiological research now exists proving that breastfeeding prevents at least 70 health conditions in breastfed infants, and that infant formula contributes to or causes 57 adverse health conditions, making the widespread promotion of infant formula in the US all the more troubling. But, what may be most disturbing of all, is what ingredients are actually being put into these so-called breast milk alternatives, and under the ostensibly pure and healthy banner of the USDA organic label. Enter the strange story of Copper Sulfate. Copper Sulfate: Pesticide, Algaecide or Organic Nutrient? Do a google search for Copper Sulfate and youll find a fascinating array of products vying for your attention, such as: Indeed, if you dig deeper into its toxicological classification you will find that, according to the Dangerous Substance Directive (one of the main European Union laws concerning chemical safety), Copper Sulfate is Harmful (Xn), Irritant (Xi) and Dangerous for the environment (N). According to research performed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the lowest dose of copper sulfate that had an acutely toxic impact on humans is 11 mg/kg, which is approximately 748 mg for a 150 lb adult.[3] All the more surprising to find this chemical in USDA certified Organic infant formulas, such as Similacs new Advance Organic Infant formula, and not as a contaminant, or even as a preservative, but as a mineral that helps give babies a strong start in life, according to the Similac website, describing itsline of infant formulas and human breast milk fortifiers. Even trusted brands within the natural products channel, such as Earth Bests Organic formula, andBabys Own Organicscontain Copper Sulfate as a mineral nutrient. How can this be? The USDAs National Organic Program (NOP) presently regulates the definition of organic. According to NOP guidelines, any multi-ingredient product that contains 95% or more organic ingredients (excluding water and salt) may be labeled organic. Therefore the Copper Sulfate in Similacs Advance Organic formula falls within the contains less than 2% ingredient list, giving the chemical a free pass. But it gets even more interesting. Part 205.601 of the NOPs guidelines specifies that copper sulfate is a synthetic substance allowed for use in organic crop production, as long as it is used in a way that minimizes accumulation of copper in the soil.[4] We can assume, therefore, that its classification as an acceptable synthetic substance for use in organic crop production, it has evaded raising red flags among regulators. There are several conclusions we can arrive at from here: [2] June Pauline Brady. Marketing breast milk substitutes: problems and perils throughout the world. Arch Dis Child. 2012 Jun ;97(6):529-32. Epub 2012 Mar 14. PMID: 22419779 [3]National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). 19811986. Registry of toxic effects of chemical substances (RTECS). Cincinnati, OH: NIOSH. [4] www.ecfr.gov, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7: Agriculture, Part 207, National Organic Program. linkwithin_text=Related Articles: 