“Infant formulas made and sold in New Zealand and Australia meet all regulatory requirements and are absolutely safe for babies”, said Jan Carey, CEO of INC. “To state or imply otherwise as has been done by GE-Free NZ, is irresponsible and unprincipled.”

Mothers should not follow the advice of GE-Free NZ to avoid infant formula made in Australia but rather, should contact the company that manufactures their infant formula product for further information.

SIDS researchers and the Australian SIDS organisation “SIDS and Kids” regard this study, which involved only 17 infants as highly speculative and misleading.

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Scientist, Dr Paul Brent, agrees, describing the results as ”highly speculative and inconclusive”.

Parents who are formula feeding their infants should not be concerned about the hypothetical and unverified nature of the Wasilewska study.

For information on the known, evidence-based SIDS risk factors, go to http://www.sidsandkids.org/safe-sleeping/

ALTE and SIDS

The study poses an unverified hypothesis that there is a potential link between ß-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), from breastmilk, cow’s milk and infant formula containing casein, and apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) in infants, which the researchers incorrectly labelled “near miss SIDS”.

An apparent life-threatening event is not a specific medical diagnosis, but a description of an acute, unexpected change in an infant’s breathing, which requires medical attention. In early SIDS research, such an episode was thought to be a precursor to SIDS, and the term “near miss SIDS” was coined. However subsequent studies, since the 1980s, have failed to establish a clear association between such an episode and SIDS, and as such, the term “near miss SIDS” is no longer used.

BCM-7

Different types of β-casomorphins-7 (BCM-7) are components of breast milk, cow’s milk and most infant formulas which may be released upon digestion.

In a review in 2009 of the potential health impact of β-casomorphins, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found no clear evidence to support a link with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The Infant Nutrition Council supports the view of the New Zealand Food Safety Authority that there is no reliable evidence to suggest that BCM-7 in infant formula is harmful. This view is based on the detailed review conducted by EFSA of the available scientific literature that addresses possible health effects of beta-casein (particularly a milk protein called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM7) and related peptides in milk and other foods). EFSA states:

“Based on the present review of available scientific literature, a cause-effect relationship between the oral intake of BCM7 or related peptides and aetiology or course of any suggested non-communicable diseases cannot be established. Consequently, a formal EFSA risk assessment of food-derived peptides is not recommended”.

Infant Feeding and SIDS

Breastmilk is the best food for babies and is recommended as the preferred option for infant nutrition. However if a baby is not being breastfed, the only safe alternative that will supply all the baby’s nutritional requirements is infant formula. There is no evidence that babies fed infant formula are at an increased risk of SIDS.

SIDS has occurred in both breastfed and formula fed infants and many scientific studies have been undertaken about SIDS and breastfeeding.

There is no doubt that breastfeeding is an important element in baby’s health and nutrition but neither SIDS and Kids nor the International Society for the Study and Prevention of Perinatal and Infant Death (ISPID) believe the evidence permits a clear statement that breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS.

The SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping health promotion program is responsible for reducing the incidence of SIDS in Australia by 85%. To reduce the risk of SIDS and fatal sleep accidents SIDS and Kids says:

1. Sleep baby on the back from birth, not on the tummy or side
2. Sleep baby with face uncovered (no doonas, pillows, lambs wool, bumpers or soft toys)
3. Avoid exposing babies to tobacco smoke before birth and after
4. Provide a safe sleeping environment (safe cot, safe mattress, safe bedding)
5. Sleep baby in their own safe sleeping environment next to the parent’s bed for the first six to twelve months of life

To ensure that samples are used properly under the terms of the marketing codes, the Infant Nutrition Council has worked with both the Australian and New Zealand governments to develop a policy for the distribution of infant formula samples to health care professionals. All members of the Infant Nutrition Council adhere to this policy and will only provide samples at the request of health care professionals.

Before receiving the requested samples, health care professionals are required to sign an Infant Formula Sample Request Form stating that it is understood that the samples will only be used in accordance with the definitions of ‘professional evaluation’ or ‘research’. The form also has information about the responsible use of samples including the condition that samples must never be left in public view.

A copy of the Infant Nutrition Council’s policy for the distribution of infant formula samples to health care professionals is available for download as a PDF.

Templates of the samples request form for the MAIF Agreement in Australia and in New Zealand the Infant Nutrition Council Code of Practice for the Marketing of Infant Formula are also available.

Template of the samples request form for the MAIF Agreement in Australia

Template of the samples request form in New Zealand for the Infant Nutrition Council Code of Practice for the Marketing of Infant Formula

The Infant Nutrition Council appreciates and fully supports the fact that everyone will be doing their utmost to assist breastfeeding mothers during this time as breast milk provides the best nutrition for infants. We stress that donations of infant formula will be provided through health care professionals for those babies who are not currently being breastfed and who rely on infant formula. For those breastfeeding mothers who need assistance, information and advice can be obtained from the Ministry of Health’s Healthline 0800 611 116 or through their website at www.moh.govt.nz.

It is very important that carers using infant formula are advised about ensuring that the water used in the formula preparation is safe. A copy of the Infant Nutrition Council Guideline for the Safe Preparation, Storage and Handling of Powdered Infant Formula is available on this website.

Health Care Professionals working with the National Health Emergency Centre who need supplies of infant or follow-on formula should contact the Infant Nutrition Council at info@infantnutritioncouncil.com or by telephone on 09 354 3272. Your request will be processed as quickly as possible.

Breastfeeding provides babies with the best nutrition and is preferred whenever possible. Professional advice should be followed before using an infant formula. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breast feeding. Good maternal nutrition is ideal for breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed may be difficult. Infant formula should be used as directed. Proper use of an infant formula is important to the health of the infant. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of feeding.

The federal Department of Health and Ageing and the Advisory Panel on the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formula (APMAIF) have endorsed company donations of infant and follow on formula when these donations are requested by health care professionals.

The Infant Nutrition Council appreciates and fully supports the fact that everyone will be doing their utmost to assist breastfeeding mothers during this time as breast milk provides the best nutrition for infants. We stress that donations of infant formula will be provided through health care professionals for those babies who are not currently being breastfed and who rely on infant formula. For those breastfeeding mothers who need assistance, information and advice can be obtained from the Australian Breastfeeding Association on 1800 686 268.

It is very important that carers using infant formula are advised about ensuring that the water used in the formula preparation is safe. A copy of the Infant Nutrition Council Guideline for the Safe Preparation, Storage and Handling of Powdered Infant Formula is available on this website. Information about ensuring safe drinking water can be found on the Queensland Health website.

Health Care Professionals working with Queensland Flood relief agencies who need supplies of infant or follow-on formula should contact the Infant Nutrition Council at info@infantnutritioncouncil.com or by telephone on 02 6273 8164. Your request will be processed as quickly as possible.

Breastfeeding provides babies with the best nutrition and is preferred whenever possible. Professional advice should be followed before using an infant formula. Introducing partial bottle feeding could negatively affect breast feeding. Good maternal nutrition is ideal for breast feeding and reversing a decision not to breast feed may be difficult. Infant formula should be used as directed. Proper use of an infant formula is important to the health of the infant. Social and financial implications should be considered when selecting a method of feeding.

Read more

Companies supplying soy or maize-based ingredients to Infant Nutrition Council members provide either identity-preserved certification or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing that is conducted independently and renewed on a biennial basis.

Identity preserved certification is a rigorous process by a third-party that traces the ingredient from being a seed to a finished product. This process ensures segregation of non GM ingredients during all phases of the farming, handling and processing cycle.

PCR testing detects sequences of DNA that are specific to genetically modified organisms and is highly sensitive.

Health authorities acknowledge that products grown without genetic modification may unintentionally contain traces of genetically modified organisms, due to cross-pollination during cultivation, harvesting, storage, transport or processing despite all rigorous processes that ingredients suppliers put in place. This is a well-recognised phenomenon and is why countries around the world allow a varying amount to be present without requiring a finished product to be labelled as a GM food.

The regulations in Australia and New Zealand are among some of the strictest. All genetically modified foods intended for sale in Australia and New Zealand must undergo a safety evaluation by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).   FSANZ will not approve a GM food unless it is safe to eat.

FSANZ regulatory limits permit amounts of no more than 1% of genetically modified material per ingredient that is unintentionally present, without requiring a product to be labelled as a GM food. The Infant Nutrition Council members comply with these labelling laws.

Further details on GM food labelling, including a full explanation of the exemptions and the results of a 2004 review of GM labelling, can be found at the FSANZ website  http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/gmfoods/.

Printable PDF of this statement

INC’s CEO, Jan Carey said, “All mothers should be supported to provide the best nutrition for their infants. There is no question that breast milk is best and improving breastfeeding rates is an important aspect in maximising Australia’s infant health and wellbeing”.

However, when an infant is not breastfed the only suitable and safe alternative is a scientifically developed infant formula product. The INC is concerned that a prescription requirement to obtain infant formula may lead to inappropriate feeding choices such as unmodified cow’s milk. This could lead to an increase in infants with inadequate nutrition.

“The INC understands that social and other issues may make it difficult for new mothers to provide breast milk exclusively. We reject the suggestion that the removal of breast milk substitutes from the market will increase breastfeeding rates.”

Ms Carey said when a baby is not being breastfed it is important that their mother has ready access to the only product that will meet all their baby’s nutritional requirements; infant formula.

In order to help improve breastfeeding rates the Marketing in Australia of Infant Formulas: Manufacturers and Importers Agreement (MAIF Agreement) was introduced in Australia in 1992. Under this agreement, providers of formula do not advertise or in any other way promote infant formulas (for babies under 12 months) to the general public.

The Australian government monitors and enforces strict compliance with this industry’s ethical practices via the MAIF Agreement. The MAIF Agreement is Australia’s official application of The World Health Organization’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes (the WHO Code).

“Health care professionals, governments and infant formula providers have a responsibility to not only protect the critical role of breastfeeding but also to ensure the continued nutritional welfare of each and every Australian baby”, Ms Carey said.

The Infant Nutrition Council supports both breastfeeding and infant formula and represents the major companies manufacturing, importing and marketing their own brands of infant formulas in Australia.

Printable PDF of this media release

As part of World Breastfeeding Week 2010, the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) and the Infant Nutrition Council today urged members to allocate designated areas in their workplaces to increase the number of women who breastfeed their babies.

Infant Nutrition Council CEO Jan Carey said the establishment of breastfeeding rooms would allow mothers to continue to give their babies the vital nutrition that breastfeeding provides after they return to the workforce.

According to Ms Carey, a quarter of women return to work before their baby is six months old and around 40 per cent when their baby is aged one.

“Many women would like to continue to breastfeed once they go back to work but wean their babies early as their workplaces don’t have suitable areas to either breastfeed or express,” Ms Carey said.  “Research shows that mums who are able to express at work manage to breastfeed for longer than mothers who don’t have the same opportunity.”

Ms Carey said the wider vision of both the Infant Nutrition Council and AFGC was to not only encourage their members to make it easier for women to continue to breastfeed, but to call on other industries to follow.

Ms Carey said the Infant Nutrition Council – whose members include infant formula manufacturers – had already endorsed the proposal and were working towards establishing breastfeeding-friendly areas in their workplaces.

AFGC Chief Executive Kate Carnell said Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing industry was leading the way on many health and workplace issues including having appropriate facilities for mothers to breastfeed.

“Breastfeeding is the most nutritious and healthiest feeding method for babies and it should be encouraged,” Ms Carnell said.

“Evidence shows that by supporting employees to breastfeed at work, companies not only assist in increasing the nutritional benefits to the baby but provide benefits to the business include reduced absenteeism, increased productivity and better employee engagement.”

Printable PDF of this media release

This year the theme is ‘Breastfeeding: Just 10 steps – the Baby-Friendly Way‘ which recognizes the vital role that health care facilities play in the establishment of breastfeeding. The joint WHO/UNICEF statement outlines the Ten Steps as follows:

10 Steps to Successful Breastfeeding

Every facility providing maternity services and care for newborn infants should:

1. Have a written breastfeeding policy that is routinely communicated to all health care staff
2. Train all health care staff in skills necessary to implement this policy
3. Inform all pregnant women about the benefits and management of breastfeeding
4. Place babies in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers immediately following birth for at least an hour and encourage mothers to recognise when their babies are ready to breastfeed, offering help if needed.
5. Show mothers how to breastfeed and how to maintain lactation even if they should be separated from their infants
6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk, unless medically indicated
7. Practise rooming-in, allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
8. Encourage breastfeeding on demand
9. Give no artificial teats or dummies to breastfeeding infants
10. Foster the establishment of breastfeeding support and refer mothers on discharge from the facility.

www.worldbreastfeedingweek.org