Choosing an infant formula is a decidedly tricky process. And, before we discuss picking out an infant formula, I must emphasize that breast milk is best for a baby for lots of reasons. But, sometimes you need an infant formula. And choosing that formula is difficult. You juggle cost, availability and what your baby likes. Standing in the store looking at the various formula options is an exercise in frustration. Rest assured that all of the infant formulas meet basic nutritional requirements. But what about those labels that claim the formula has DHA and ARA added to the formula? Omega acids sound good for the baby, don’t they?
Let’s look at DHA and ARA. DHA and ARA are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. DHA is docosaheaenoic acid and is an omega-3 fatty acid. ARA is arachidonic acid and is an omega-6 acid. These fatty acids accumulate in the fetal brain and eyes during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester. They are also found in breast milk. Blood levels of DHA and ARA are typically higher in breast-fed infants than in infants fed formulas not containing these fatty acids. Because of the perceived benefits of DHA and ARA, many infant formula manufacturers are now marketing infant formulas containing DHA and ARA. The scientific evidence is mixed on whether adding DHA and ARA to infant formulas has any benefit. Some studies in infants suggest that including these fatty acids may have positive effects on visual function and neural development over the short term, while other studies do not confirm these benefits.
But, some child health experts are concerned about infant formulas with DHA and ARA because of the source of these acids. Some of the infant formulas contain DHA and ARA are extracted from laboratory-grown fermented algae and fungus and processed with hexane. These are known as DHASCO and ARASCO, although they are not identified as such on the list of ingredients. Specifically, DHASCO is a mixture of an oil extracted from the algae Crypthecodinm and high oleic sunflower oil (“HOSO”). ARASCO is a mixture of an oil extract from the fungus Mortierella alipe and HOSO. As a result, DHASCO and ARASCO are structurally different from the DHA and ARA found in breast milk. Adverse reactions from consumption of infant formula with DHASCO and ARASCO include diarrhea, bloating, vomiting, jaundice, apnea, flatulence, and other gastrointestinal problems. You can read some of the adverse reaction reports compiled from a Freedom of Information Act request to the FDA.
Are DHASCO and ARASCO safe? According to the FDA, yes. The manufacturer of DHASCO and ARASCO submitted a notice to the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) informing the FDA that DHASCO and ARASCO are “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS for use in food. Just for some background, the GRAS notification program is a voluntary program under which a person may inform the FDA of its determination that a particular substance is GRAS. In response to the manufacturer’s notice, the FDA stated that it had no questions. The FDA emphasized that it had not made its own determination regarding the GRAS status of ARASCO and DHASCO, and that it expected infant formula manufacturers to conduct “rigorous post-market” surveillance. What this means is that the manufacturer provided evidence to the FDA that DHASCO and ARASCO were safe, and that the FDA reviewed only the manufacturer’s notice.
So what can you do? Well, the problem is that you can’t tell from the infant formula label the source of the DHA and ARA. In January 2008, the Cornucopia Institute petitioned the FDA to require warnings on infant formulas that contain DHASCO and ARASCO. You can add your voice to demand warning labels. As a note, the Cornucopia Institute has also petitioned the USDA to enforce its organic regulations prohibiting the use of hexane processed DHASCO and ARASCO in organic foods.
To date, whether DHASCO and ARASCO are safe remains unanswered. However, if your baby is experiencing the reactions described in here, you may want to try a formula without DHA and ARA added.
An original post from Jennifer, TheSmartMama. Check out her personal blog for more advice on non toxic living and green parenting.
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These are my thoughts on living a healthy and simple life. I'm a modern mom with some traditional ideas. At home, I try to clear the confusion from all the conflicting health and parenting advice with some common sense and a natural philosophy. This is the sanest way I know how to navigate the 21 century.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
This is another example of parents giving their babies something they think is going to be a good thing – I”m one of them.
I do my best to feed my daughter the best I can give her – home made organic food. Giving her formula was something that was out of my control. I’m so glad we’ll be done with it in the next few weeks
Kirstins last blog post..Flame Retardants in PJ’s
I think adding DHA is a great idea…however I wouldn’t want additional Omega 6′s added to my child’s diet. Omega 6′s are something that we get too much of in our diet as it is. Omega 3′s are the things most people are defficient in and are good for brain developement and because of that I would think they are a good idea. However, I only used breast milk with my two children. But I do buy organic milk that has DHA added.
I wouldn’t get so hung up on the hexane proccessing.That is the least of your concerns with dhasco/arasco.They are structurally different from dha/ara found in breast milk and other natural sources.As a triglyceride,they are esterified much differently.If you were to reconfigure H2O to HO2 would it still be safe to drink?When dealing with lipids,esterification determines how the body will utilize the triglyceride.Let me save you some time.The manufacturers do not know how DHASCO/ARASCO will effect the health of your infant.I know this because I have asked them.If they do,they are not talking.
I bet you didn’t know that some infant formulas contain carrageenan.It is used as an emulsifier and thickener.The European Society For Gastroenterology,Hepatology And Nutrition had an expert panel (IEG) evaluate carrageenan as a component of infant formula.They stated,”The IEG noted given the lack of adequate information on possible absorption of carrageenan by the immature gut in the young infants and its biological effects in infancy,it appears INADVISABLE to use carrageenan in infant formulae intended for feeding young infants,including those in the category of foods for special medical purposes.”What they do not tell you is the degradation of carrageenan yields poligeenan(known carcinogen).They also noted that carrageenan produced inflammation in the intestines of animals.Here is one unsafe ingredient that may account for the adverse side effects experienced by infants.It is not the only one.
DHASCO/ARASCO are long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.Because of their multiple double bonds,they are very vulnerable to oxidation(spoilage).The one thing that you would not want to add to these oils are metals.When DHASCO/ARASCO are manufactured there is specific step taken to remove trace amounts of metals by clay.This ensures stability from oxidation and improves shelf life.Then these oils are shipped to infant formula companies who then add ferrous sulfate(iron supplement added at 12x levels found in breast milk).Why bother removing trace amounts of metals in the first place?
What happens to DHASCO/ARASCO when they peroxidize?They may become neurotoxic breakdown components.F-4,F-2 neuro- and iso-prostanes respectively.Where would you find elevated levels of these neurotoxic components?In patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers,Parkinson’s,ALS,etc.
I could explain the havoc these oils could produce on lipid rafts and protein signaling involved in infant neurodevelopment.That would take some time.Let me tell you this.Hexane proccessing is the least of your concerns with DHASCO/ARASCO supplemented infant formulas.
@ Mike – WOW! Thanks for your additional info. I’ll check out your site as well. Thanks for stopping by.
Monica,feel free to contact me for more information.Did you know that currently DHA/ARA supplementation can not be determined as beneficial to brain and eye development improvements by experts whom have evaluated them?The only evidence of benefit comes from researchers paid by the manufacturers of DHA/ARA infant fomulas.I am waiting for a new study that will confirm results that were reported at Birch et al.
I want to know why I fed my son a formula that contains carrageenan when experts can not determine whether or not it could become carcinogenic.I have been contacting the government agencies responsible for safety.They are unwilling to respond to my concerns.
From all of my research I can honestly say this.The components of today’s infant formulas have not been been determined as 100% safe.Differently esterified fatty acids,carrageenan,and oxidative instability all potentially contribute to digestive and cognive disorders that are increasing in prevelance among our children today.When someone such as myself exposes these safety issues to those whom are paid to protect us,and my concerns are ignored,our children are the ones who ultimately suffer.
This is a great discussion and I appreciate all the information. As the father of a 6 week old, I am looking for a formula to supplement my wife’s breastfeeding. Does anyone have a recommendation of a non-DHA/ARA containing formula?