White House Bans Synthetic Additives
Omega Fatty Acid DHA
Two synthetic additives have been removed from the list allowed in infant formulas and baby foods certified as organic. These two chemicals omega-3 fatty acid DHA and omega-6 fatty acid ARA are present in most organic infant formulas, however these ingredients have not received the certification necessary to be used in organic foods. These chemicals are usually marketed as helping promote eye and brain development in a way that closely mimics breast milk.
These findings are not new as a report was released last July that investigations had concluded that the chemicals violated federal and state rules and should be barred from displaying any kind of organic certification. However at the time these findings were overruled by an employee in the USDA who was lobbied heavily by the formula industry.
“Today’s announcement will strengthen the National Organic Program by providing greater confidence for consumers and better information and procedures for producers,” Miles McEvoy, deputy administrator of the USDA program.
The chemicals are produced using something called hexane, a potential neurotoxin which is hardly a good thing. Advocates know that had the National Organic Standards Board formally took up the matter there is no way it would even be approved. The rulings do not take effect for 5 years giving the industry time to phase it out, however a company called Market Bio sciences (a producer of the chemicals) hopes to appeal the ruling as they are quoted saying:
“There is no organic alternative to these fatty acids and we firmly believe that DHA and ARA are important to health.”
