There is (still) too much aluminium in infant formulas

Abstract

BackgroundInfant formulas are sophisticated milk-based feeds for infants which are used as a substitute for breast milk. Historically they are known to be contaminated by aluminium and in the past this has raised health concerns for exposed infants. We have measured the aluminium content of a number of widely used infant formulas to determine if their contamination by aluminium and consequent issues of child health persists.MethodsSamples of ready-made milks and powders used to make milks were prepared by microwave digestion of acid/peroxide mixtures and their aluminium content determined by THGA.ResultsThe concentration of aluminium in ready-made milks varied from ca 176 to 700 μg/L. The latter concentration was for a milk for preterm infants. The aluminium content of powders used to make milks varied from ca 2.4 to 4.3 μg/g. The latter content was for a soya-based formula and equated to a ready-to-drink milk concentration of 629 μg/L. Using the manufacturer's own guidelines of formula consumption the average daily ingestion of aluminium from infant formulas for a child of 6 months varied from ca 200 to 600 μg of aluminium. Generally ingestion was higher from powdered as compared to ready-made formulas.ConclusionsThe aluminium content of a range of well known brands of infant formulas remains high and particularly so for a product designed for preterm infants and a soya-based product designed for infants with cow's milk intolerances and allergies. Recent research demonstrating the vulnerability of infants to early exposure to aluminium serves to highlight an urgent need to reduce the aluminium content of infant formulas to as low a level as is practically possible.

Biological Water Dynamics and Entropy: A Biophysical Origin of Cancer and Other Diseases

“…Although the mechanisms of Al toxicity have not yet been completely elucidated, a number of persuasive studies have been published [252,[271][272][273]. Burrell and Exley [272] reported clear links between toxicity in infants and parenteral exposure to Al.…”

“…Burrell and Exley [272] reported clear links between toxicity in infants and parenteral exposure to Al. Al overload has been associated with anemia.…”

The meaning of aluminium exposure on human health and aluminium-related diseases

“…At the extremes of the spectrum, we find tomatoes, showing very low aluminium levels, from 0.2 to 1.1 μ g/g, and marjoram and thyme, which show very high aluminium concentrations, ranging from 500 to 1000 μ g/g. Soy-based milk formulas provide a potentially high aluminium source to infants (12) . Plants such as tea accumulate aluminium in older leaves, which may contain as much as 3 % w/w of aluminium (13) , which explains the high aluminium concentrations in tea infusions (14) .…”

Low levels of aluminum can lead to behavioral and morphological changes associated with Alzheimer's disease and age-related neurodegeneration

“…These aluminum-based colors also have cosmetic applications. Infant formulae can have a significant aluminum content (Dabeka et al, 2011;Burrell and Exley, 2010). Concentrations as high as 1.8 mM Al can be reached in the fruit juice resulting when acidic fruit is boiled in aluminum cookware (Fimreite et al, 1997).…”