Poll: Do You Trust FDA's New Standards For Melamine In Baby Formula?

Following reports that FDA tests found trace amounts of melamine in one sample of baby formula made and sold in the U.S., FDA has released new guidelines defining the maximum allowable amounts of melamine and cyanuric acid, a chemical relative of melamine, in baby formulas. FDA's tests showed another baby formula sample contained trace amounts of cyanuric acid. The manufacturers maintain that their baby formulas are safe and that their independent tests do not show the presence of these chemicals in their products.

Manufacturers, concerned parents and watchdog groups pushed for a solid answer from FDA on whether or not any amount of melamine in baby formula could be considered safe. FDA's prior statements on melamine were taken to mean that no amount of melamine would be acceptable in U.S. baby formulas, but after these recent tests, FDA's spokeswoman said those statements were misinterpreted. In their most recent statement, FDA says "melamine is not approved to be directly added to food in the United States. However, melamine is approved for use as part of certain food contact substances. Low levels of melamine are present in the environment and trace amounts may occur in certain food commodities as a result of approved uses."

FDA's new standards allow for levels of melamine alone or cyanuric acid alone, at or below one part per million in baby formulas, saying that these levels "do not raise public health concerns." The trace amounts of melamine in one formula sample and cyanuric acid in another formula sample were well below one part per million. The amounts of these chemicals in the baby formula samples were initially reported as parts per billion.

Many parents are wary of putting their trust fully in FDA when it comes to the safety of their babies, though. Not too long ago, while Canada moved to ban baby products with BPA, and several large U.S. retailers moved to stop selling those products due to safety concerns, FDA backed the plastic chemical's safety, making some parents wonder if the agency's advice could be trusted.

Do You Trust FDA's Assessment That Trace Amounts of Melamine Are OK In Baby Formula?

• Yes
• No