August 14, 2001 – After five years of research and debate, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the enrichment of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid) in infant formulas. These two essential fatty acids from the omega-3 family are naturally present in breast milk, but not in formulas currently sold in North America. However, these two components play an important role in the development of the brain and the vision.
The FDA therefore clearly asked more questions than the World Health Organization (which has recommended this addition since 1993) and several European and Asian countries which have allowed it for several years. In fact, American experts remain divided on the question, because, according to many, the scientific evidence for the benefits of such an addition is not conclusive. Others, like Eileen Birch 1, from the Retina Foundation of the Southwest, and a group of international researchers 2 believe that babies fed these formulas fortified with DHA and AA will benefit. Several studies have, in fact, shown that newborns who received an enriched preparation had a head start over their “non-enriched” boyfriends, visually and neurologically. Unfortunately, nothing for the moment allows to affirm that the first will not be joined by the second during growth.
The issue of the safety of DHA and AA supplements has of course been one of the concerns of the FDA. Last May, the organization recognized that DHA and AA, produced by Martek Biosciences, were safe ingredients. These are extracted from plant sources (algae and fungi) and are expected to increase the price of infant formula by 10 to 20%. Some companies could introduce an enhanced version of their products as early as the end of 2001.
Still, even the fortified preparations are not close to damaging breast milk. Experts are unanimous on the question: it remains the food par excellence for newborns during the first months of their life, because it protects them against infections, reduces their risk of suffering from certain chronic diseases and seems to promote development. of their brain. However, breastfeeding rates are low in North America and improving the composition of infant formula is a step forward.
Françoise Ruby – PasseportSanté.net
According to The Associated Press, July 31, 2001
1.Birch EE, Garfield S, Hoffman DR, Uauy R, Birch DG. A randomized controlled trial of early dietary supply of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and mental development in term infants. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2000 Mar; 42 (3): 174-81.
2.Koletzko B, Agostoni C, Carlson SE, Clandinin T, Hornstra G, Neuringer M, Uauy R, Yamashiro Y, Willatts P. Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) and perinatal development. Acta Paediatr 2001 Apr; 90 (4): 460-4
