Synthetic DHA Oils

VICTORY!


A few months ago I signed a petition to remove synthetic DHA oils in organic infant formula. Yes, can you believe that even with the organic label, they were adding synthetic ingredients in baby food?!


Unbelievable.... but this email I received is half way to good news! There is still some corruption going around, but please sign the petition and spread the word to help our children: http://www.cornucopia.org/ban-bogus-synthetic-additives-in-organics/

Dear h.deux.flo,

Thank you for signing our petition this spring, which opposed a proposal to allow any and all non-organic and synthetic “nutrient” ingredients in organic foods. We are especially concerned about synthetic DHA oils, produced by Martek Biosciences Corporation, which found their way into organics, including organic infant formula, with the help of corporate lobbyists and corrupt USDA officials during the Bush administration.

We delivered the petition, with your signature along with thousands of others, to the staff at the USDA’s National Organic Program and to the members of the National Organic Standards Board.

In response to overwhelming public outcry opposing the plan to allow any and all “nutrient” additives in organic foods, the Committee chair withdrew this outrageous proposal.

Your signature on the petition played an important role in this victory!

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) instead approved a list of minerals and vitamins for use in organic foods, restricted to only “essential nutrients” that are included in the Food and Drug Administration’s official fortification policy (as found in federal regulations, 21 CFR 104.20). This list does not include Martek’s DHA oils. But essential nutrients like Vitamin D, which is commonly added to milk, and calcium, which is commonly added to soymilk, are on this FDA list, and will therefore continue to be allowed in organic foods.

Days before the meeting, government officials made public a statement from the FDA, which specifically stated that ingredients like Martek’s DHA oil are not “essential nutrients” and do not fall under the FDA fortification policy.

We now have statements from two federal agencies—the USDA and the FDA—that support Cornucopia’s position that organic foods should provide a safe haven from risky or unproven synthetic additives like Martek’s DHA oils.

Yet despite public statements from various government officials, supporting our position that Martek’s DHA is illegal in organic foods, the National Organic Program has steadfastly refused to take enforcement action and remove this material from products already on the market.

The NOP is apparently protecting the profits for some of the largest corporations involved in organics (such as Dean Foods, which markets Horizon milk, and The Hain Celestial Group, which markets Earth’s Best infant formula and Spectrum oils). This corruption must end—especially when these ingredients are making some babies sick! (see video)

The petition that you signed also called for immediate enforcement action to remove Martek’s DHA from organic foods. We wanted to thank you again for signing the petition, which we will resubmit to the National Organic Program Director, Miles McEvoy, repeating our request for enforcement action.

Bookmark the Cornupia Institute website: http://www.cornucopia.org/