Every mom wants to provide only the best for their baby—best home, best medical care, and best nutrition. Like most moms, I have always assumed that baby formula is 100% safe to feed, especially since my pediatrician says it’s ok.

But what if that formula most of us are using isn’t so safe, after all? What if it contains a dangerous substance that’s not even listed on the label, let alone being tested for? According to a new study commissioned by Friends of the Earth, many popular baby formula brands contain nanoparticles.

What is a nanoparticle? I honestly had no idea, having never even heard the term previously, so I did some research. The concern about nanotechnology is that it can cause familiar substances to change in ways that scientist don’t expect and cannot predict. These chemically engineered particles are 1,000 times thinner than a strand of human hair and several hundred times smaller than blood cells. Due to their very small size, nanoparticles are more likely than larger particles to enter cells, tissues and organs.

While nanoparticles can present a danger to everyone, babies are especially vulnerable due to their developing immune, central nervous, reproductive and digestive systems. If they consume nanoparticles, it could lead to irreversible damage, increasing their risk of disease later in life. Obviously, this makes feeding nanoparticle-laced formula of great concern!

Think your formula is safe? Gerber, Enfamil, Similac, and Well Beginnings (Walgreen’s store brand) were tested. All six were found to contain nanoparticles! The three types found are “needle-like” nano hydroxyapatite, nano TiO2 (titanium dioxide) and nano silica dioxide.

Nano hydroxyapatite, in particular, is frightening. According to the European Union Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, it’s potentially toxic and should never be used in personal care items like toothpaste, teeth whiteners and mouth washes. (Just compare a minute amount of toothpaste with multiple bottles of formula daily and the risks are truly awful!)

The scariest part of all is that parents have no way of knowing since it’s not included on the product label. (I was horrified to learn that I’d personally fed most to my babies!) Currently, the FDA does not regulate nanoparticles in baby formula, nor does the agency pre-screen or test infant formulas before they enter the market. I think that’s unacceptable and I bet you do, too!

As consumers, we must make our voices heard. One of the ways to do this is by signing Friends of the Earth’s petition, demanding that baby formula companies make these necessary changes:

1. Remove all baby formulas containing nanoparticles from store shelves.
2. Remove nanoparticles from product formulas. 
3. Create nanomaterial policies to avoid the use of engineered nanoparticles in their products. 
4. Manufacturers should refer to the Nanomaterials Policy Recommendations  about potential risks.
5. Ensure transparency in the supply chain by clearly labeling products.
 

You’ll also want to join us for a fun party, sponsored by Friends of the Earth on the Mamavation Facebook Fan Page on Thursday, May 19th at 9:00 pm EST. RSVP to win these great prizes:

• $50 Whole Foods Gift Cards, Dr. Bronners All-One Peppermint toothpaste, Goddess Gardens Organic facial sunscreen & everyday spray (5 winners)
• $25 Whole Foods Gift Card, Dr. Bronners All-One Peppermint toothpaste, Goddess Gardens Organic facial sunscreen & everyday spray (1 winner)
• Grand Prize: $125 Whole Foods Gift Card, Dr. Bronners All-One Peppermint toothpaste, Goddess Gardens Organic facial sunscreen & everyday spray (1 winner)

As someone who is passionate about the health and welfare of children, I’m encouraging everyone to please pass this information around to as many people as possible! We must alert the public about this dangerous nanoparticle formula and keep it far away from babies.