Baby food with gmo

GMOs in Baby Food: What You Need to Know

Although strict regulations exist for baby food and infant formula in North America, there are still concerns that genetically modified ingredients are present and possibly a threat.

Genetically modified organisms are foods whereby the DNA has been spliced together with other organisms to change the traits, often to help express the effects of toxic pesticides. Recent evidence shows that GMOs may be responsible for serious human health problems, including the growth of tumours in rats.

The Institute of Responsible Technology lists the reasons that children are more susceptible to the health risks associated with GMOs including vulnerability to allergens, antibiotic resistant diseases and nutritional problems. As a parent, there are steps you can take to ensure your baby is safe from these risks.Read more about avoiding GMOs

What ingredients in baby foods and infant formula are most likely to be genetically modified?

According to the non-gmo shopping guide, created by the Institute for Responsible Technology ( a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the dangers of GMOs in our food supply), the following ingredients in baby foods are highly suspect unless certified organic:

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Soy, milk (may be from cows injected with rbGH), corn syrup, corn syrup solids and soy lecithin

Other ingredients to avoid are: canola oil, maltodextrin

How can you avoid buying baby food and infant formula with genetically modified ingredients? One assurance is to buy organic baby food. Another obvious choice is to make your own baby food with safe foods.

The following baby food brands are part of the NON-GMO Project-verified to have no GMO ingredients:

Earth's Best
HAPPYBABY Pouches
HAPPYTOT
Little Duck Organics
NurturMe
Oh Baby Foods
Organic Baby
Plum Organics

For other brands you can verify directly with the company through the NON-GMO Project verification process.

If you’re feeling disheartened by this issue, positive news comes in the form of legal action: House Bill 6527, “An act concerning genetically engineered baby food”, has been passed to the next stage of legislature in Connecticut in March 2013. This act would require that all genetically engineered ingredients in baby food and infant formula “include clear and conspicuous labeling.” Strong support for this initiative is obvious-150 Connecticut based organizations and businesses have endorsed the bill along with grassroots organizations like Food Democracy Now! Connecticut joins the movement of over 37 supportive coalitions as part of the movement known as www.righttoknow-gmo.org.Read more about GMOs in stores

The best way to navigate the complex and overwhelming world of our food systems is to stay informed. Familiarize yourself with the helpful guides out there on how to avoid GMOs; start asking more questions. If you really enjoy a certain brand of products and you’d like to continue buying them, ask the company directly what is in their food products. Never underestimate the power of one person. Ben & Jerry’s ice cream committed to eliminating GMO ingredients from their products because consumers spoke up. So did Whole Foods Market. These are not small mom and pop stores; these are huge companies. These amazing results from consumers standing up for the safety of their food is unprecedented. The more we speak up the more the powers that be will listen. If they don’t, we can just fold up our wallet and walk away.

Photo credit: Frank Guido

Organic vs. non-GMO baby formula: the similarities and differences

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Parents are presented with an abundance of baby formula options today. The struggle to decipher all the different brands, styles and ingredients is real! Companies don’t make it easy— with their elaborate packaging and hard to read formula labels— when all parents want is to make the best choice for their little ones.

One of the decisions to make is whether you choose an organic baby formula or a non-GMO baby formula— or both! Keep reading to learn about what these terms really mean, their similarities and differences and how to decide which type of baby formula is right for you.

Table of Contents

What does it mean to be organic, non-GMO, or regular baby formula
What is organic baby formula?
What is non-GMO infant formula?
What is regular baby formula?
Should parents choose an organic, non-GMO infant formula?
What is GMO in baby formula, anyway?
GMO vs. non-GMO baby formula

Definitions first: what does it mean to be organic, non-GMO, or regular baby formula

Before we dive into the details of organic vs. non-GMO infant formula vs. regular formula, let’s first get the definitions straight. What do these terms really mean?

What is organic baby formula?

Organic baby formula is made according to the USDA requirements with certified organic ingredients and processing aids. When formulas say “organic” on the ingredients label, 95% or more of the ingredients must be certified organic. This means they do not contain pesticides, certain chemicals, additives, dyes, or GMO ingredients.

Shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Bobbie Organic Infant Formula is a USDA Organic, EU-style infant formula that meets all FDA requirements. It is a complete nutrition milk-based powder modeled after breast milk and is easy on tummies. It is non-GMO and doesn't have corn syrup, palm oil, or maltodextrin. Learn more about Bobbie.

Shop Bobbie

What is non-GMO infant formula?

Non-GMO infant formula is formula made without genetically modified organisms.

Non-GMO standards are not equal to organic standards, so non-GMO formula (or other foods) are not automatically organic.

What is regular baby formula?

Regular baby formula may also be referred to as GMO formula. There are no limitations when it comes to the use of ingredients made with genetically modified organisms for these products. A GMO (a genetically modified organism) is “a plant, animal, microorganism or other organism whose genetic makeup has been modified in a laboratory using genetic engineering or transgenic technology. ”¹

One concept to keep top of mind:

Organic formulas are always free of GMO ingredients, but non-GMO formulas are not automatically organic. Yes, that’s a bit tricky!

Let’s break it down with the help of Elieke Kearns, PhD, RD and Head of Medical Affairs at Bobbie. She tells us, “Organic refers to the farming practice of how an ingredient is grown and is defined by the USDA. It does not allow for things like synthetic pesticides or genetically modified organisms (aka GMOs). Essentially, all organic ingredients are non-GMO but not all non-GMO ingredients are organic.”

All infant formulas in the US must comply with the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) requirements for infant formula.² These products are carefully regulated to ensure they provide adequate nutrition to support the growth and development of infants who consume them. In other words, the bar is already set quite high for all infant formulas, whether or not they’re organic or non-GMO.

Dr. Kearns agrees, reinforcing that, “Selecting what to eat or drink is a very personal choice, this is also true when choosing between organic vs. conventional. When it comes to this choice, the most important thing to know is that whether you eat food that is organic or contains GMOs, it is safe. This is something that independent scientists, as well as organizations around the world, agree on after analyzing multiple decades worth of data. In the US, we have the comfort of knowing that all foods are regulated for quality and safety by the federal government.”

Along these lines, the FDA requires infant formulas to contain certain amounts of vitamins and minerals known to be critical in supporting early life nutrition, for example, B vitamins, iron, and calcium. These ingredients are only created and available in synthetic form. All infant formulas – even those labeled organic – use these synthetic ingredients. This is one example of the strict regulations set by the FDA to ensure infant formulas provide adequate nutrition to support your quickly-growing baby!

What

is GMO in baby formula, anyway?

Formulas that are not GMO can be made with genetically modified ingredients. You might wonder which ingredients are actually GMO? This may include the protein ingredient(s), especially if the formula is cow-milk based. Genetically engineered products are common in animal feed, so the cows that provided the milk that the formula is based on were likely fed genetically modified crops. Hence, that milk protein is a GMO ingredient.

Other genetically modified ingredients may be corn and soy in baby formula. Corn shows up as corn syrup (a carbohydrate source), and soy may be present as soy oil (a fat source). The wide majority of the corn and soy grown in the US is genetically modified.³

GMO vs. non-GMO baby formula

Many parents wonder if they need to choose a non-GMO formula for their baby. After extensive study, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have reported on the safety of genetically engineered crops, which should help assure parents that choose regular formulas.

At the same time, nutrition science is always evolving, and there are sure to be more learnings on this topic with time.

For parents trying to make a decision, some aspects to consider are the exposure to chemicals, pesticides, and genetically modified ingredients that your baby may have with a GMO formula. On the other hand, the cost of non-GMO formulas will be a bit higher than regular, GMO-containing formulas. It very much comes down to what’s most important to you as a parent, and there’s no one right answer.

No matter which type of formula you choose to feed your baby, all infant formulas are modeled after breast milk.⁴ This means there’s one main source of inspiration for the many feeding options available to you. This also means you really can’t go wrong! And remember, your babe is nourished most by your love and affection. So cuddle up and trust that you’ve made the right choice.

Always check a product’s label for the most current nutritional and ingredient information. Ask your pediatrician for any questions/concerns.

Shop Bobbie Organic Infant Formula

Shop Bobbie

Sources:

What is a GMO? – The Non-GMO Project
Infant Formula Registration & Submissions | FDA
Recent Trends in GE Adoption
Bioactive Compounds in Infant Formula and Their Effects on Infant Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Literature Review

The content on this site is for informational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Discuss any health or feeding concerns with your infant's pediatrician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay it based on the content on this page.

GMOs in baby food

It seems that if we pay that kind of money and the manufacturer's name is so well known, then this is a guarantee of quality. However, everything is not quite right. This organization has carried out an independent examination of baby food of the most famous companies, such as Gerber, Semper, Kolinska, Valio, Frisland Nutrition and Nestlé. GMOs (genetically modified organisms) were found in the products of all the listed companies. Only Valio did not challenge the results of the examination, and Nestlé even filed a lawsuit. nine0003

Apparently? the largest foreign baby food manufacturers believe that we should feed our children with cloned products and be happy. And if the consumer expresses any dissatisfaction, then this, according to Nestlé, is not a normal situation. In general, it is better to know less. By the way, Nestlé was never able to refute the results of the Russian examination of their products.

Maybe you don't know, but on the territory of the Russian Federation it is impossible to use GMOs in baby food without control. But the State Duma decided to go even further and protect its little citizens from cloned potatoes and beef. At the beginning of 2010, a bill was submitted for discussion, according to which Russia would ban the manufacture and sale of baby food containing GMOs altogether. nine0003

The problem lies primarily in the fact that the vast majority of baby food, unfortunately, is still imported from abroad. And it is in this baby food that GMOs are found. The situation is also aggravated by the fact that more than two-thirds of babies today eat exclusively infant formula, and not breast milk. This is such a big burden on the child's body. And if artificial nutrition is also of poor quality, then this can have an absolutely irreparable impact on the health of the future nation. nine0003

Why should GMOs be banned from baby food? Maybe there is nothing wrong with using cloned products?

To date, it has been absolutely proven that GMOs have a very detrimental effect on the human body. Under the influence of such products, the process of hematopoiesis may be disrupted. People who eat foods containing GMOs are more prone to cancer. And another interesting effect of GMOs on the human body is that the body ceases to respond adequately to drugs. That is, it will be very difficult to cure such a consumer of GMOs from any disease. nine0003

Genetically modified organisms and products provoke the development of allergies, skin diseases, disorders of the digestive organs, and various disorders of the nervous system. And these studies were conducted on adults, with an already formed strong body! And how destructive the use of GMOs in baby food can be!
By the way, some European countries have already banned the use of GMOs in baby food . Now manufacturers will “dump” all low-quality goods to third world countries, which include most of the post-Soviet space. Therefore, try to use natural products in your child's diet. nine0003

Which baby food products are especially dangerous in terms of GMO content?

These are all meat and canned fish , all products containing soy additives, soybean oil. Because it is soy that is most often a genetically modified product. Almost all formulas for making breast milk substitute contain soy additives.

What soy are they made from?

Think about this when buying boxes and jars now. Let your baby get used to healthy food, to a healthy lifestyle from birth. nine0003

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GMOs and baby food: parents' opinion

PERINATOLOGIYA I PEDIATRIYA. 2014. 2(58):110-112; doi 10.15574/PP. 2014.58.110

GMOs and baby food: parents' opinion

Kurets A. A., Yushchenko L. A., Oniskova O. V.

Vinnitsa National Medical University named after N.I. Pirogov, Vinnitsa, Ukraine

nine0024 Objective is to determine the level of biosafety knowledge and attitudes of parents towards their children's use of genetically modified foods.

Patients and methods. A survey was conducted of parents whose children were hospitalized in the department for young children of the Vinnytsia city hospital "Center for Mother and Child". 46 children aged from 3 months. up to 1 year (20 boys and 16 girls) were on artificial or mixed feeding and had different pathologies of the respiratory organs: 50.0% - pneumonia, 30.4% - acute bronchitis, 19.6% - acute respiratory disease. To establish the diagnosis of the underlying disease, complaints and anamnesis were carefully collected, a general clinical laboratory examination was performed, and to confirm the diagnosis, a chest x-ray was performed; if necessary, the children were examined by specialists.

Results. An insufficient level of knowledge of parents about the composition of baby food and differences between infant formulas was revealed. It has been established that 32.6% of respondents use two or more mixtures when feeding children, being guided in the choice mainly by the doctor's recommendations and (less often) by the price policy. The interviewed parents do not have reliable information about the negative effects of GMOs on the human body. Only a third of the parents expressed the desire that food products that use transgenes (even in small quantities) be necessarily labeled, and that the society be more informed about the biosafety of food products. nine0063

Conclusions. Further study of the results of world experience in the use of food products containing GMOs and conducting our own research in this direction will create an information field for the formation of a certain public attitude towards GMOs and understanding of their potential risks. This will ensure an informed consumer choice, as research and monitoring of the biosafety of GMOs and derived food products must stay ahead of their large-scale commercial use. nine0063

Keywords: children, food, products containing genetically modified organisms.

Literature:

1. Belyaev EN, Ivanov AA, Fokin MV. 2006. Hygienic characteristics of food products containing genetically modified components. Hygiene and sanitation. 4:7-11.

2. Levchenko LA, Zavedeya TL, Levchenko KA et al. 2010. Influx of genetically modified products on the camp of a healthy person. Child health. 2(23): 93-96.

3. GMOs: social control or social control. Under the editorship of Kopeikina WB. M, GEOS. 2005: 198.

4. Cartagena Protocol on Biosecurity to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Neurob. 2000: 34.

5. Serdyuk AM, Korzun VN. 2010. Before nutrition of risks in genetically modified organisms. environment and health. 2:3-6.

6. Anisimova OV, Kashina NA, Chernyshova ON et al. 2006. Comparative characteristics of methods for determining components from genetically modified organisms of plant origin in food products. Nutrition issues. 75;63: 55-60. nine0003

7. Khovaev AA. 2008. Safety Issues and Trends in the Use of Genetically Modified Microorganisms in the Production of Food Products, Food Ingredients and Food Raw Materials. Nutrition issues. 77;3:58-63.

8. Schauzu M, Poting A, Rubin D, Lampen A. 2012. Assessment of allergenicity of genetically modified food crops. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz. 55;3: 402-407.

9. Devos Y, De Schrijver A, De Clercq P et al. 2012. Bt-maize event MON 88017 expressing Cry3Bb1 does not cause harm to non-target organisms. Transgenic Res. 21;6:1191-1214.

10. Anliker B, Longhurst S, Buchholz CJ. 2010. Environmental risk assessment for medicinal products containing genetically modified organisms. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz.