Soya Formula for Infants Should Only Be Administered on Doctor's
Advice, Says German Consumer Safety Watchdog
Infant formula and follow-up formula based on cow’s
milk protein or soy protein is for sale in the European Union. Soy
formula should only be administered to infants over a longer period
when this is necessary on medical grounds.
Press Release -- November 19, 2007
-- If a mother is unable to breastfeed her baby, she can fall back
on infant formula from the drug store or supermarket. Products made
from soybean protein and from cow’s milk are on sale.
Soybeans contain high concentrations of isoflavones. They should,
therefore, only be given to infants over longer periods in exceptional,
justified cases. Isoflavones are similar to the female hormone
oestrogen; however, they have a far weaker effect. Furthermore,
soybeans may also contain higher amounts of the plant component,
phytate. Professor Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, President of the Federal
Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), comments, "Infant formula and
follow-up formula made from soy protein should only be administered on
medical grounds and then only under medical supervision."
Soya formula is prevalent in substances which may have hormone-like
effects, the so-called phyto-oestrogens. The two main ones are the
isoflavones genistein and daidzein. They have a similar chemical
structure to the female hormone oestrogen. Compared to breast milk and
to infant formula made from cow’s milk, isoflavones
contain relatively high levels of soy protein. Hence far higher
isoflavone concentrations were found in the blood of infants given soy
than infants given cow’s milk formula or breast milk.
Besides isoflavones, soy formula may also contain phytate. The natural
plant component can influence the intake of minerals and trace
elements.
The impact of the elevated intake of isoflavones on infants has not
yet been fully elucidated. In animal experiments there were signs that
elevated isoflavone intake affects the development of reproductive
organs, the immune system and the thyroid gland. However, the results
of animal experiments cannot simply be transposed to humans. For
precautionary reasons BfR backs the recommendation of the Nutrition
Committee of the German Society for Paediatric and Youth Medicine until
further data become available. According to this recommendation, infant
formula made from soy is no substitute for cow’s milk
products. Babies who are not or not exclusively breastfed should only
be given this formula in exceptional, concrete cases on
doctor’s advice. Soy formula for infants is not intended
for administration to healthy infants.
Possible medical reasons for giving soy formula to infants are, for
instance, rare cases of congenital, hereditary lactase deficiency and
the equally rare metabolic disease galactosaemia. Lactase intolerance -
whether genetic or because of a temporary gastro-intestinal disorder -
is not generally a reason for turning to lactase-free infant soy
formula. In the case of infants with a cow’s milk allergy,
too, the Committee does not recommend soy formula at the start of
treatment. Where appropriate, special protein hydrolysates can be used.
Soy protein itself can trigger allergic reactions and does not prevent
allergic disorders.
If parents reject cow’s milk-based infant formula on
ethical or religious grounds, soy formula is one alternative - but only
after seeking medical advice.
Please direct any questions about the Institute and its range of
services and orders of publications to the Press and Public Relations
Office:
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Press and Public Relations
Office, Thielallee 88-92, 14195 Berlin, Fax: +49-30-8412-4970, E-Mail:
pressestelle@bfr.bund.de
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