Kennedy has ordered a review of baby formula. Here’s what you should know

By JONEL ALECCIA AP Healthcare Writer As federal robustness administrators vow to overhaul the U S food supply they re taking a new look at infant formula Medical Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has directed the Food and Drug Administration to review the nutrients and other ingredients in infant formula which fills the bottles of millions of American babies The effort dubbed Operation Stork Speed is the first deep look at the ingredients since The FDA will use all tools and executives at its disposal to make sure infant formula products are safe and wholesome for the families and children who rely on them Kennedy explained About three-quarters of U S infants consume formula during the first six months of life with about receiving it as their only source of nutrition according to the Centers for Ailment Control and Prevention Formula has been widely used in the U S for roughly six decades feeding generations of infants who have flourished stated Dr Steven Abrams a University of Texas infant nutrition expert The broader scientific neighborhood has been calling for a reevaluation of infant formula for years and is fully supportive of this idea of a comprehensive look he declared Current formula products in the U S continue to be safe and nourishing he declared But there s been a lot of science and we want the FDA rules to align with the the majority new science from around the world he commented Here s what you need to know about Operation Stork Speed What is infant formula and why do so a large number of babies consume it Infant formula is a manufactured product usually made from cow s milk or soy that is intended to mimic human breast milk for kids up age months It may be the sole source of nutrition or supplement breastfeeding FDA regulations require that infant formulas contain specific nutrients with minimum levels for all and maximum levels for of them The ingredients vary but all formulas must have a balance of calories from protein carbohydrates and fat that mirrors what s revealed in human milk Federal guidelines recommend that babies be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life and that parents continue breastfeeding for the first year or more while adding new foods to the child s diet Parents use formula when a mother cannot or chooses not to breastfeed for a wide range of reasons including physiological conditions work conflicts to allow other family members to help with feedings and other situations Why is the authorities reviewing baby formula now Kennedy stated the review of infant formula in March as part of his Make America Healthy Again agenda for the U S food supply The FDA s review will include increased testing for heavy metals and other contaminants as well as a review of nutrients the agencies mentioned U S physical condition representatives will hold a two-hour roundtable discussion of infant formula on Wednesday What issues will that cover The FDA is asking for new scientific details and information about whether required ingredients in infant formula should be added removed or changed The deadline for comments is Sept Scientists say a review is long overdue regarding the majority new records on the composition of human milk and how babies digest and absorb nutrients in breastmilk and formula In addition they want the FDA to consider how U S formulas compare with those made elsewhere disclosed Bridget Young who studies infant nutrition at the University of Rochester How do our regulations differ she announced Maybe it s time for them to relook at their regulations and consider possible international harmonization More international alignment might have eased the U S infant formula problem in when contamination shut down an Abbott factory leading to monthslong shortages for American parents Young announced What about specific ingredients In contemporary years several parents have sought out infant formula made in Europe with the belief that products made overseas are healthier options experts commented Formula regulations in the U S and Europe including requirements for nutrients and testing differ somewhat but are generally similar Abrams noted The differences between the U S and Europe should not be considered as higher or better or greater in one vs the other he reported Related Articles Air quality alert extended to noon Wednesday throughout Minnesota All international travelers should get measles vaccinations CDC says New MN measles cases validated including Dakota County child who had not traveled Exercise boosts survival rates in colon cancer patients research shows Early detection constant communication key in dealing with prostate cancers Still iron for instance is included at higher levels in U S formulas than in those in Europe and Abrams suggested that U S authorities may consider lowering iron targets Other components have been added to formula in fresh years They include docosahexaenoic acid or DHA an essential omega- fatty acid and human milk oligosaccharides complex sugars that are ascertained breast milk but not in cow s milk Although they may be beneficial they are not required These have been added to specific formulas but not to other formulas so we want to take a look Abrams explained Numerous parents have raised concerns over formula ingredients such as added sugars and seed oils which are also being targeted by Kennedy as hazards in the wider food supply Fresh research suggests that added sugars such as glucose and corn syrup solids in infant formula may be linked to weight gain in children Young revealed that largest part experts agree that lactose the primary type of sugar uncovered in breast milk is preferred Infant formulas in the U S do contain seed oils Young revealed But that s because there are a finite number of vegetable oils that provide the essential saturated and unsaturated fats that babies require They need to provide the variety of fatty acids that you see in breast milk she noted What are the next approaches Done properly the FDA s infant formula review would take at least a year Abrams commented And it will require broad input from multiple establishment agencies formula manufacturers and consumers No shortcuts are attainable and no one review white paper or even committee overview will suffice to do it right he explained The Associated Press Soundness and Science Department receives promotion from the Howard Hughes Clinical Institute s Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation The AP is solely responsible for all content