Foreign Policy Blogs

Infant Formula in China Poisioning Babies with Estrogen

Infant Formula in China Poisioning Babies with EstrogenThe China Daily first reported evidence which overwhelmingly pointed to infant formula as the cause behind three infants, who had earlier indicating adult levels of estrogen.  The increased levels in the infants has cause early puberty symptoms, such as breast development and vaginal discharge.  The infant formula maker, Synutra International Inc , has thus far sought no responsibility for the high levels of estrogen found in the children ages 3-15 months.  “After testing 73 samples of formula from Synutra and other international and domestic brands, the ministry concluded that the milk powder displayed normal levels of the hormones that might have caused the early development.”  ( The LA Times).

The story has also been reported in The Huffington PostInfants in China have been growing breasts, the author John Robbins states;

An extraordinary number of food products sold in the U.S. today come from China. Could some of this tainted formula be making its way to the U.S.?  There is currently no way for consumers to know whether infant formula they might purchase has been made with milk products from China.

Following comments from a former chair of the Chinese dairy association, Wang Dingmian, stated:

“Since a regulation forbidding the use of hormones to cultivate livestock has yet to be drawn up in China it would be lying to say nobody uses it.”  If high levels of estrogen are found in the feed, from my perspective, the dairy industry and the company manufacturing the infant formula need to show some accountability.

While other cases have yet to be reported it has many scared after the 2008 incidences of Deadly Baby Formula in China reported in my previous post, which caused a temporary ban to formula imports from China to the US. While the debate over the source of the high levels of estrogen in the infants continues to be debated, it must also be noted that high levels of estrogen can be linked to premature breast development and are also so be linked with:  increased cancer risk, particularly breast cancer; excessive fat; and other condition’s.

One thing the story has done is raised questions as to the use of synthetic hormones in animal feed.  As a person who has experience an increased sense of health after years of trying to pinpoint my illnesses cause, I found increased health when I went organic and eliminated most of the processed foods from my diet. Now the healthiest version of me ever I personally have to question the use of any such synthetics or chemicals in our food products.

 

Author

Cassandra Clifford

Cassandra Clifford is the Founder and Executive Director of Bridge to Freedom Foundation, which works to enhance and improve the services and opportunities available to survivors of modern slavery. She holds an M.A., International Relations from Dublin City University in Ireland, as well as a B.A., Marketing and A.S., Fashion Merchandise/Marketing from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cassandra has previously worked in both the corporate and charity sector for various industries and causes, including; Child Trafficking, Learning Disabilities, Publishing, Marketing, Public Relations and Fashion. Currently Cassandra is conducting independent research on the use of rape as a weapon of war, as well as America’s Pimp Culture and its Impact on Modern Slavery. In addition to her many purists Cassandra is also working to develop a series of children’s books.

Cassandra currently resides in the Washington, D.C. metro area, where she also writes for the Examiner, as the DC Human Rights Examiner, and serves as an active leadership member of DC Stop Modern Slavery.


Areas of Focus:
Children's Rights; Human Rights; Conflict