Soy Baby Formula Safe for Babies

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Statement Safety of Soy

Statement Safety of Soy

IFC STATEMENT: Soy Formulas Continue to be a Safe Feeding Option for Infants

In response to the draft NTP-CERHR Expert Panel Reports on the Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity of Genistein and Soy Formula, and subsequent March 15-17, 2006 meeting, the International Formula Council* offers the following comments.

There is no evidence of negative effects on babies fed soy-based formulas or on adults who were fed soy-based formulas as babies. Scientists have known for decades that phytoestrogens like genistein, the compound studied in this recent research, occur naturally in many foods of plant origin, such as wheat, rice, and soybeans. Phytoestrogens have some similarity in structure to the hormone, estrogen, but are thousands of times weaker in activity. Estrogen compounds are also present in human milk.

Because many babies are given soy formula for medical reasons, it is essential that parents not change feeding practices without consulting with their baby’s doctor. For over 60 years, millions of babies have been fed soy-based infant formulas containing these substances, and they have grown and developed normally. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined soy-based infant formulas are safe.

The Academy of Pediatrics has determined that “isolated soy protein-based formulas are safe and effective alternatives to provide appropriate nutrition for normal growth and development.”

If parents choose or need to formula-feed their infant, it is important that there are high quality alternatives to support growth and development and meet infant nutritional needs. Physicians and other health care professionals are best qualified to help parents decide when a soy formula may be appropriate for their infant and should be consulted on any changes in an infant's feeding regimen.

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*IFC is an international association of manufacturers and marketers of formulated nutrition products (e.g., infant formulas and adult nutritionals) whose members are predominantly based in North America. IFC members include all major U.S. manufacturers: Mead Johnson Nutrition; Nestlé Infant Nutrition; Abbott Nutrition Division, Abbott Laboratories; Solus Products; and Wyeth Nutrition.