The FDA found melamine and cyanuric acid, a related chemical, in samples of baby formula made by major U.S. manufacturers. Melamine can cause kidney and bladder stones and, in worst cases, kidney failure and death. If melamine and cyanuric acid combine, they can form round yellow crystals that can also damage kidneys and destroy renal function.

Melamine was found in Good Start Supreme Infant Formula With Iron made by Nestle, and cyanuric acid was detected in Enfamil Lipil With Iron infant formula powder made by Mead Johnson. A spokesman for Nestle did not respond to repeated calls and e-mails for comment yesterday.

This is just horrifying to me.  This is the primary source of nutrition for many babies under one year of age and these chemicals are in no way harmless!  Where is the Food and Drug Administration in all this? Well apparently they weren’t planning on releasing their findings to the American public any time soon.  It took the Associated Press filing a request under the Freedom of Information act to uncover the test results conducted by the FDA on 87 samples of infant formula in response to melamine findings in Chinese infant formula earlier this year.

“This FDA, this Bush administration, instead of protecting the public health, is protecting industry,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), who chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the FDA budget. In an interview, DeLauro said she wants the agency to disclose its findings and to develop a plan to remove melamine from formula. “We’re talking about babies, about the most vulnerable. This really makes me angry.”

And the worst part of this?  Despite their findings, the FDA still contends that infant formula is safe and encourages the public to continue the use of a tainted product.  It’s simply outrageous!

“When FDA claims there isn’t any reason to worry, that’s exactly what the consumer should do,” said Ken Cook, president of Environmental Working Group. “The once-revered public health agency has morphed into a taxpayer-funded public relations arm for the very industries it was created to oversee.”

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Take Action!

Friday is the last day to voice your opinion on whether the EPA — the Environmental Protection Agency — should regulate carbon dioxide pollution, the primary cause of the climate crisis. This is a big deal.

The EPA is taking public comment, before making a ruling.

Of course, special interests — like the oil and coal lobbies — are working overtime to defeat a positive ruling and have already gotten thousands of comments submitted in opposition.

Most people don’t know about this opportunity for public comment, so your voice can make a real difference. And with a new president in the White House, it’s likely that someone will actually be listening. Submit your public comment to the EPA here:

http://www.RepowerAmerica.org/EPA

In April 2007 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to regulate carbon dioxide if it is harming our health and welfare. After more than a year of delay, the EPA is finally now requesting public comments on whether carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping pollutants are endangering our health and our climate.

Join us, and send a message about how crucial it is to reduce harmful carbon dioxide pollution. That you expect the EPA to use its powers to protect our health and welfare. That we can “Repower America” by using energy sources that don’t emit carbon dioxide, and make the switch to 100% clean electricity. And that the solutions to the climate crisis are the same ones needed to address our economic and security challenges.

This is our chance to go on the public record — all the comments will be posted on the EPA’s website. To post your public comment, just go here.

For nearly eight years, the Bush administration has done nothing to address the growing threats we face from global warming. Hurricanes are getting stronger, the North polar icecap is melting, and we’ve suffered through intense droughts, floods and killer heat waves.

The deadline is November 28th. Let’s help end the era of delay.

Thanks,

Cathy Zoi
CEO
www.RepowerAmerica.org

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Pretty sad when the actual manufacturer can’t make a sound argument for getting a flu shot…

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“The last few decades have seen steady and dramatic increases in the incidence of boys and young men suffering from genital deformities, low sperm count, sperm abnormalities and testicular cancer.

At the same time, boys are now far more at risk of suffering from ADHD, autism, Tourette’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, and dyslexia.”

The suspected cause of this issue?  Plastics.  Some plastics are known to contain hormone-mimicking or endocrine disrupting chemicals that wreak havoc on a developing reproductive system, particularly in males.  Found in everything from baby bottles and plastic toys to carpet and shampoo, it’s hard to avoid exposure in today’s chemical-laden world, however a little bit of awareness goes a long way.

Here are some of the known facts:

• There are more than 20 heavily industrialized nations where the birth of baby boys has declined every year for the past 30 years - amounting to 3 million fewer baby boys.
• The number of boys born with penis abnormalities and genital defects has increased by 200% in the past two decades.
• Boys have a higher incidence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning disabilities, Tourett’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and dyslexia.
• Boys are four times as likely to be autistic.
• The average sperm count of a North American college student today is less than half of what it was 50 years ago.
• The quality of sperm is declining. Eighty-five per cent of the sperm produced by a healthy male is DNA-damaged.
• Damaged sperm have been linked to a 300% increase in testicular cancer - a form of cancer that affects young men in their 20s and 30s.
• The chemical industry has developed more than 90,000 man-made chemicals in the last sixty years. Eighty-five percent of them have never undergone testing for their impact on the human body.

Since children are the most susceptible to endocrine-disrupting chemicals due to their rapid early development and increased vulnerability due to their increased rate of absorption as it correlates to their small size, it’s important to try and avoid plastics when possible in favor of wooden toys, glass, “phthalate-free” or “BPA-free” bottles, organic meats and dairy and all-natural soaps/shampoos.  Also pay attention to the number of the plastic found in the center of the recycle symbol on the bottom of the product.  1,2,4 & 5 are said to be safer alternatives to the other numbers.  And if you’re pregnant or nursing, these chemicals definitely have an impact on a developing fetus or infant, so it’s especially important to make plastic-free choices during this time as well.

Want to know more?  Read my other posts related to plastics and their impact on human health.

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Ready to make the switch? You can purchase FruitaBu Fruit Rolls here!

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“The most obvious difference in the diet of infants in both populations occurs in the introduction of peanut. Israeli infants are introduced to peanut during early weaning and continue to eat peanut more frequently and in higher amounts than UK infants, who avoid peanut, as per Department of Health recommendations.  The observed differences in Peanut Allergies between the UK and Israel are unlikely to be explained by genetic differences. Our findings raise the question of whether early and frequent ingestion of high-dose peanut protein during infancy might prevent the development of Peanut Allergies through tolerance induction. Paradoxically, past recommendations in the United States and current recommendations in the UK and Australia might be promoting the development of Peanut Allergies and could explain the continued increase in the prevalence of Peanut Allergies observed in these countries.”

The guidelines have not yet changed as a result of this study, but it makes you wonder if they should!

Want to know more?  Read Susan Markel’s post about Peanut Allergies on BabyCenter.

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This information is courtesy of Healthy Child, Healthy World.  I’d like to write more but wanted to get it posted before your children eat all of their Halloween candy!

When you bring home your candy stash tonight, be sure to find and toss these candies:

•Avoid dyes used in treats that play tricks on kids. The dyes Yellow #40, Red # 40, and Blue #2 have been linked to health risks.

“In fact, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has petitioned the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to ban these dyes altogether, calling these dyes the “secret shame” of the food industry. Dr. Jim Stevenson, a professor at the University of Southampton and the lead researcher of a British study on artificial food dyes, has concluded that these dyes may not only cause hyperactivity and attention disorders but may deleteriously affect children’s IQ levels as much as gasoline! To be cautious, take a look at the fine print on the candy wrappers. If items such as Yellow #40, Red # 40 or Blue #2 are listed, avoid giving them to children. You will be side-stepping potential danger associated with these artificial dyes.”

•Avoid candies that may be contaminated with melamine.

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers not to consume White Rabbit Creamy Candy or Koala’s March Crème filled Cookies because they may contain melamine. And, the Canadian government is warning the public not to consume Sherwood Brands Pirate’s Gold Milk Chocolate Coins, which may also have reached the U.S.”

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More information can be found about Equal Exchange Co-operative Fundraising Program for your school, group or organization on their website.

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It’s been a while since I’ve done a product comparison and my intention is to post one weekly.  This week I’m comparing children’s toothpaste.  Since toothpaste is a product kids are exposed to daily, I feel it’s important to ensure they are using a non-toxic, healthy toothpaste.  My daughters currently use Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel which has one of the lowest scores (1) according to the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database published by the Environmental Working Group.  Let’s compare the Weleda Children’s Tooth Gel to a popular choice readily available in stores, Orajel Toddler Training Toothpaste, which scored a 4 according to EWG.  Both claim to be safe to swallow.  Below are the ingredients of both…you decide which you’d rather your child ingest.

The other option if you want to stay away from toothpaste altogether is what my parent’s generation used, good, old-fashioned baking soda.  And I bet it will teach your child not to swallow the paste in no time!!

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