Organic Baby Blog – News & Tips on Organic Parenting

Breastfeeding Yoga Mom

October 20th, 2009

We highly encourage practicing yoga with your baby as well as breastfeeding, but this mother (and opportunistic baby) take them to a new level! *Warning: Brief, non-sexual nudity*

Tags: baby, food, formula, humor, video, yoga
Posted in Organic Baby Yoga | 2 Comments »

Baby Formula, Why Take Chances

September 19th, 2008

The recent recall on baby formula distributed through out several provinces in China through the Sanlu Group, one of the larger producers of baby formula, has re-introduced the questions on the standards set by the Chinese government on product safety.

Three babies have passed due to the chemical melamine addition to the formula. The chemical is added to create a higher protein levels in milk that does not meet the standards for protein consistency. Melamine, which is found in plastics and fertilizers, has created over 1000 cases of severe kidney stones in infants.

The Sanlu Group partners with a New Zealand company, Fonterra, alerted New Zealand government officials early last week of the repetitive complaints and findings of the chemical addition. The New Zealand contacted the Chinese officials who then called for a full recall. This includes over 10,000 tons of formula, as well as a question of what other dairy products could be tainted with the chemical, Fonterra is currently testing all items with Chinese ingredients.

There have been six arrests made and twenty-two people are currently being questioned. The perpetrators include the chairwoman/General manager of the Sanlu Group and officials connected to the Hebei province where the company is based.

The first reports of problems were filed as early as March, but in early August several infants were admitted with the problem. Unfortunately there was not a public statement and recall until the second week of September. This leads people to wonder when the Chinese government was going to make this public, if it was not prompted by the New Zealand Government.

The general public is disgusted by the consequences and actions of these companies it also resurrects the argument that breast milk is the wisest solution for infant feeding. The female body produces a high protein, rich in antibody food for infants and there are not worries about strange chemical additions to increase the vitality of the milk.

Tags: baby, formula
Posted in General, Organic Baby Food | No Comments »

Toxic Melamine in Chinese Baby Milk Formula

September 12th, 2008

China currently is recalling a baby formula milk substitute due to the toxin melamine positively testing in the powder. As early as March cases of kidney stones in infants were reported. When more than a dozen cases were reported recently action had to be taken by the government. The Shijiazhuang Sanlu Group who is the manufacturing company of this product has issued 8,000 tons of powder be recalled. Last year, this brand was the 7th top selling formula by revenue for China. It is currently illegal to sell in the United States, although there is concern by US officials that ethnic grocery stores in larger cities with Chinese populations carrying it with out governmental approval. The toxin is commonly used combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a durable plastic. Melamine is used in the make up of fertilizers and cleaning products. Between the late 1950s and mid-70s there was testing done on the affects of ingesting the chemical and the results were it caused reproductive changes, bladder and kidney stones. Again, this was the primary symptom that alerted health officials of the common problem with the infants, kidney stones. In recent years, the use of melamine has been connected to artificially increasing protein levels in pet foods, but after several reports of animal fatality all pet food with the chemical was recalled. This is not the first, just the most recent, example of the standards set by the Chinese government on product requirements and testing procedures prior to release for commercial use. This also serves as a reminder why the healthiest solution for baby’s nutrition is good, ole fashion mothers’ milk. Breast milk is the ideal source for baby’s, it contains the vitamins, anti-bodies and nutrients to nurture and foster healthy growth.

Tags: china, food, formula, melamine
Posted in General, Organic Baby Food | No Comments »