Strollerderby : baby formula

Rocket Fuel Found in Baby Formula

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:43:00 GMT

Well if this isn't a craptacular study and accompanying news story that is only going to freak people out, I don't know what is. So apparently the Centers for Disease Control studied whether there is perchlorate -- often tied to rocket fuels -- in baby formula.

According to the CDC, yes -- yes there is. But they're not saying exactly how much or which brands.

And the study doesn't even say how dangerous this could be for kids. This news story says no tests have ever shwon the chemical to cause health problems, and yet -- perchlorate in high amounts is known to cause thyroid issues, which could impact metabolism and brain development, and the government makes companies put iodine in formula to counteract the effects.

So which is it? Harmful or not?

"This wasn't a study of health effects," said Dr. Joshua Schier, one of the authors.

Well, gee -- thanks.

Now you've got people wondering if there are harmful chemicals in their baby formula but they can't do anything about it. They can't switch brands, because which one is safe and which one is not? Are any safe at all? Or is this no big deal? They can't gauge whether they think it's an acceptable amount. They can only sit there, wondering -- is my baby going to blast off any time soon?

Rite Aid Says They Will Stop Selling Expired Baby Products

Brett Singer — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:00:00 GMT

Drugstore chain Rite Aid is paying a million dollar fine in order to settle a lawsuit brought against them by New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. This quote (from the New York Daily News) is priceless:

"Rite Aid agreed to pay a $1 million penalty, refrain from stocking outdated merchandise and conduct weekly inspections for the next three years. It could face another $300,000 in fines for noncompliance." (Emphasis added.)

The products that were found on their shelves include "expired over-the-counter drugs, baby formula, milk and eggs."

How nice of them. They agree to stop selling expired eggs! And to no longer stock their shelves with expired medicine and baby formula! And all they have to do is pay a million dollar fine, with the threat of $300,000 if they screw up again? Am I the crazy one here?

New York State AG Cuomo released this gem of a quote: "In today's difficult economic times, consumers should not be spending their hard-earned money on expired products that may be harmful to themselves or their children." So true. Because when the Dow was soaring, it was completely acceptable to feed your kid expired formula. I know that's not what he meant, but it just sounds silly.

This would be a candidate for Greatest News Headline Ever if it didn’t have something to do with expired baby food.

Now, as parents, we all have to pay attention to what we put in our kids' mouths (and our own, and what our kids put in their own mouths, as well as their noses, which is a whole other topic). But even if the expiration dates were clearly marked on these products (that is, not changed or hidden from consumers) knowingly selling expired products, especially baby formula, is completely reprehensible.

Oh, and another chain, CVS, is still under investigation. Fun. If you'll excuse me, I have to figure out how to start a garden in my living room so I can grow my own food.

Source: New York Daily News

Image: Listphile

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Breaking News: Cadbury chocolate made in China recalled

Brett Singer — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:15:00 GMT

The AP is reporting that Cadbury is "recalling 11 types of Chinese-made chocolates after tests found they contained the industrial chemical melamine." This follows the recall of tainted milk powder in China.

AND, according to Newsinferno.com, a specific candy made by Cadbury called "White Rabbit" has been found to contain Melamine, the substance that cause more than 50,000 children to fall ill in China. The candy has been "distributed to California, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington state through wholesale distributors to retail stores."

Before you say what I said ("Newsinferno? What's that?"), here's a link to the FDA's press release about the recall.

Newsinferno also reports that, "Pizza Hut suspended supplying cheese powder found to be contaminated by melamine in Pizza Hut’s Taiwan branch." Unless you happen to be in Taiwan, this one is pretty easy to avoid, but the White Rabbit stuff sounds like it could be in your local candy shoppe. Plus there are 11 other varieties, such as Eclairs (sold in Australia). So be careful.

But wait! There's more! According to Wikipedia, this White Rabbit stuff was recalled last year in the Philippines because it contained formaldehyde. Yum!

Anyone else in the mood for some good news? Like, "Field of unicorns found frolicking in Central Park, film at 11"? Sorry, I made that one up. Sounds good though, right?

Sources: CBS News/AP, Newsinferno.com, Sydney Morning Herald, Wikipedia (also image)

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UPDATE: Tainted Milk Tally tops 50,000

Brett Singer — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 16:00:00 GMT

An update to the tainted milk story from VOANews.com:

China is vowing to stop tainted milk from reaching export markets, amid a growing scandal...Four Chinese infants have already died from drinking toxic milk products and more than 53,000 others have been made sick...The widening scandal has already claimed resignations from several officials, including Li Changjiang, the head of China's top quality inspection agency.

Apparently this was a known problem for eight months before anyone did anything about it.

53,000 kids sick? Nasty.

Original post follows.

*-*-*-*-*

The number of children affected by a dangerous chemical in certain brands of Chinese-made baby formula is going up. CNN is reporting that more than 13,000 children in China have been, "sickened by tainted milk."

The details are even worse: four babies have died, and a 3-year-old girl in Hong Kong was hospitalized after drinking the tainted formula. The little girl was released, but this means that the illnesses are no longer isolated to Mainland China.

AND: "In addition, nearly 40,000 other infants and young children have received outpatient medical treatment and consultation as a result of the tainted milk," according to Xinhua, China's state-run news agency.

The issue, according to published reports, is that the formula contains a chemical called melamine, which is a "key ingredient in most fire retardant materials." In other words, not something anyone should be eating.

Full details are on CNN.com.

A reader emailed to ask if we knew whether or not any U.S. formula brands were affected. We do not. That's not to say that there is any reason to think that there IS a problem with any U.S. baby formulas; as far as I know (the key words there are "as far as I know") there have been no recalls or reports of infants becoming sick from baby formula in the United States. Still, I would be very careful with any formula that you buy, especially if you have any reason to believe it was manufactured in China. To clarify: we are NOT saying that you should avoid any brand of baby formula, we are only telling you what CNN has reported. There has been some concern that boxes of Sanlu-brand formula may be on store shelves in Chinese grocery stores in the United States; more details are here.

Source: CNN
Image: china.org.cn

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They say: Chinese baby formula is dangerous

Brett Singer — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 16:30:00 GMT

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a waning about baby formula made in China. These products are illegal in the U.S., but the FDA fears that some bottles may have found their way onto store shelves in Chinese neighborhoods.

Before I start a worldwide panic, let me point out that the FDA also said, "There is no threat of contamination in the domestic supply of infant formula." So you can give your little one good ol' U.S. baby formula (provided there are no La Leche people nearby – ba dum bum.)

According to Chinese officials, "contaminants were found in Sanlu-brand milk formula," which, "killed one baby and caused kidney stones in dozens of others who may have drunk the same product." A recall of the product was issued in China on August 6.

The FDA...said agency officials were concerned the Chinese formula may be tainted with melamine, the contaminant found in pet food ingredients from China and linked to the deaths and illnesses of hundreds of cats and dogs in 2007.

Bad stuff. If this formula is on sale in the U.S., or anyplace else, I hope it gets pulled from the shelves.

Source: Reuters
Image: china.org.cn

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Bank Fights Over...Baby Formula?

Karen Murphy — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 22:29:00 GMT

Baby formula: it's the new currency of choice for discriminating thieves.

Here's the scene: Wells Fargo Bank lent a whole lot of money ($6.5 million) to a grocery wholesaler in Wisconsin that had the ~~balls~~ misfortune to sell a rather embarrassing amount of bootlegged baby formula.

Whoa! Hold on a minute there! "Bootlegged baby formula"?? When did baby formula become a commodity? Sure, the stuff costs, what, $40, $80 a can now? But it's not like it can get you high or anything (can it? because I used to have some around here somewhere and I'd totally be open to experimentation. you know, in the name of journalism and all). So what's up with that? Or is there some nefarious connection between formula-babies-Teletubbies? Right? Am I right?

Yeah. So. And now Wells Fargo has seized like 81,000 cans of this chemical baby-crack and says they will use it to ~~extort~~ get their money back from the grocery wholesaler. The formula is worth a cool $750,000 and the bank wants it released before it spoils.

Wait a sec. That stuff goes bad?? Lemmee check my expiration date. Damn! (Hey! Who's that at the door? The feds??! Damn! Quick! Pour it down the toilet! And, uh, I was never here, got that? You never saw me!)

So, I guess those hospital swag bags are worth some serious cash. Cool.

Formula Sold Behind the Counter: How Sad is That?

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 22:59:00 GMT

I noticed yesterday that if you go into a drug store and you want disposable razors you have to ask the clerk. They keep them behind the counter. I found this strange, but fine, I am not embarrassed that I shave on vacation. You know what else was behind the counter? Baby formula.

Apparently professional shoplifting rings have gotten so bad that more and more things have to be locked up. But formula?

Formula is expensive and in great demand, especially in communities where people can't afford to pay $24 per can. Don't even get me started, yes I know breast milk is free. I also realize that not everyone is able to breastfeed. These crime rings end up making baby formula more expensive for everyone.

When it is only razors or power tools the behind the counter thing is annoying. When it comes to stuff like formula and teething rings it is just sad.

Baby Formula Smuggling? Yes, Really.

Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 21:18:00 GMT

I had never heard of this before: baby formula smuggling. I guess it is a big thing on the black market. As any parent who has had a child on formula knows, the stuff gets expensive. A ring of formula thieves were caught inside a Publix in Stuart, Florida. The Miami Herald reported that that this group had stolen over $48,000 worth of baby formula.

I'm just picturing myself in a pair of dark sunglasses in a bad neighborhood pushing my double stroller up to my dealer and saying "Yeah, gimme two cans of Enfamil LIPIL. What $40? You're breakin' my balls man, I can get Lacto Free from Jimmy for $35."

This isn't just going on in Florida either, people have been busted in Massachusetts and South Africa too. I hear there is a huge market for it in Honduras. Keep an eye out for this people. It could be one of your neighbors. Come on - I watch "Weeds", I know how it is.