"Certified organic" doesn't necessarily mean healthy

Call It What You Will

Natural, healthy, organic – whatever!

A quick check of nutrition panels reveals that “natural” products may not have much to do with nature, “healthy” products often don’t promote optimal health, and a product labeled “organic” isn’t necessarily healthy or natural or even organic.

A new report about a popular food product reminds us why we should never assume.

Sweeter than sugar

Once again, we learn a lesson from baby formula.

In the e-Alert “IronmanIronmind” (5/27/08), I told you about a study that showed how children who had been fed iron-fortified formula in their earliest years scored, on average, 11 points lower on cognitive tests than children who had been breast fed. The iron supplement kids also had poorer visual-motor skills. (As HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D., explained, the inorganic iron in supplements and fortified foods can actually do more harm than good.)

But the average consumer doesn’t know about this iron problem. So who could blame them for believing that added iron is a good thing? And likewise, who could blame them if they think a formula product that’s certified “organic” is a healthy choice?

An HSI member sent me a link to a recent New York Times article about Similac Organic formula. When this product was first introduced last year, sales topped more than $10 million even though it’s more expensive than non-organic formula.

Just one little problem: Similac Organic is the only major formula brand that’s sweetened with cane sugar – also known as sucrose.

In fact, the Times reports that this is actually three problems:

• Sucrose is much sweeter than other types of sugars, so babies easily get hooked on the sweetness and may resist a change to other formulas or solid foods
• The hyper-sweetness of sucrose may prompt overeating, which promotes rapid weight gain and an increased risk of childhood obesity
• Sucrose is more harmful to tooth enamel than other sugar types

One doctor tells the Times: “The parents in my practice who would use organic formula are the same parents who would be worried about giving sweets to their babies.”

More worries

Socane sugar. But does it get any worse?

Absolutely. Similac Organic formula also contains soy oil.

In a recent InteliHealth article, Claire McCarthy, M.D., of Harvard Medical School writes: “Some research suggests that soy formula may actually cause health problems. It’s certain that premature babies and babies born small shouldn’t get soy formula, because it interferes with their bone growth.

“Other concerns are far less certain. They relate to the high concentration of isoflavones in soy formula. Isoflavones are hormone-like substances that can have beneficial effects in adults. But some studies have raised concerns about effects on the reproductive systems of infants.”

Okaywe’ve got an “organic” product with cane sugar and soy oil. Anything else?

Absolutely. Similac Organic formula also containsiron.

When you spend more for a “certified organic” product, be sure to read the nutrition panel to make sure it’s not also certified junk.

Sources:
“For an All-Organic Formula, Baby, That’s Sweet” Julia Moskin, New York Times, 5/19/08, nytimes.com
“News Review From Harvard Medical School – Report: Few Babies Need Soy Formula” Claire McCarthy, M.D., InteliHealth, 5/7/08, intelihealth.com