Organic Baby Food – UN Adopts New Baby Formula Standards

By Colleen Hurley, RD, Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist

Research finds that when it comes to feeding your baby, breast is best.  However, for some women breastfeeding is not an option leading to the difficult decision of which formula to choose.  Infant formula is ever-evolving as formula manufacturers attempt to provide a baby formula similar to breast milk containing optimum nutrients.  It appears that the infant formula standards and physician recommendations seem to change as rapidly as the formulas themselves.

Recently, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has evolved their stance on infant formula recommendations by stating parents should use a hypoallergenic formula in lieu of the previously recommended soy formula when a digestive intolerance occurs.  Also shifting to new standards on global infant formula recommendations is the United Nations (UN).  Health officials announced yesterday that the UN food commission has adopted new protocols for the handling and production of infant formula in order to prevent diseases in infants and children. 

The new standards, adopted by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, contain a series of safety measures for powdered infant formula to reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. A few years ago, several infants became ill and even died when formula was either contaminated or mixed with non-potable water.  In 2005, a China based formula manufacturer did not provide adequate nutrition in their formula resulting in malnourished children.  The new UN standards include instructions for parents and caregivers on how to safely prepare bottles for baby as well as proper storage.

The codex commission was set up by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization to serve as a global reference for food safety.  The commission, including 174 member countries and the European Union, also decided to set safety standards for genetically modified (GM) foods.  While food made from GM animals has yet to hit the market globally, the commission has decided to assess any potential health risks before mass consumption begins. 

The commission already has risk guidelines for GM plant-based foods. Health risks include inducing allergic reactions and increasing antibiotic resistance.  Lastly, the commission adopted new standards for the labeling of gluten free foods.  A food labeled gluten-free may not contain wheat, barley, rye, or oats and the gluten level must not exceed 20 milligrams per kilogram.  Although all nations included in the commission have adopted these standards, it is up the other individual countries to choose whether or not to accept.