Levels of aluminium in infant formulas 'too high'

Conclusion This study measured the aluminium content of 30 widely available infant feeding formulas in the UK. The study invited debate about whether the current regulation on aluminium in foods is appropriate as it stands but provided no new evidence about whether the levels were harmful to health. All of the products were within current health and safety regulations and so deemed safe in the context of current regulation. However, the authors were of the opinion that the current level of infant exposure to aluminium represents an “unnecessary potential health risk to children and may actually contribute towards ill health as adults”. The study and quotations in the papers asserted that there was limited research into the effect of aluminium and so the effects on human health are largely unknown. One of the authors’ arguments for revisiting the regulations was that some of the assumptions used by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), may not be accurate. The FSA has concluded in the past that the current levels are safe. We were unable to review the evidence for this in the time available, so cannot offer an opinion on whether the assumptions are accurate or not. This study appears effective at gaining publicity about whether the current regulation on the level of aluminium in infant formula is appropriate and whether industry should reduce the levels on health grounds. However, it does not contribute any extra information on whether the current levels are harmful or po...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Pregnancy/child Food/diet Source Type: news