European Parliament Fails to Block Infant Formula Health Claim

The European Parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety
Committee has reportedly failed to block approval for an infant formula
manufacturer’s claim that adding the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)
to baby food “contributes to the normal visual development of infants up to
12 months of age.” Although the application to include the health claim had
already received favorable opinions from the European Food Safety Authority
and European Commission, the committee MEPs last month voted against
authorization, arguing “that there is no scientific consensus on the effect that
DHA-fortified formula have on infants, that more research is needed on the
possible effects, both beneficial and harmful, of DHA supplements, and that
the health claim could be misleading.” But this resolution did not gain enough
support in the April 4-7, 2011, plenary session of Parliament, which ultimately
approved the DHA health claim by a margin of eight votes.

Meanwhile, The Telegraph has reported public “anger” at the outcome, citing
concerns raised by the World Health Organization (WHO), Royal College of
Pediatrics and Child Health, and other health groups about synthetic DHA,
as opposed to the version that naturally occurs in breast milk. According to
the April 6 news article, WHO has found no solid evidence “to be able to say
that adding DHA to infant formula will have important clinical benefits.” The
organization has also warned that “general promotion of these products may
induce mothers to use infant formula in the first six months of life and/or stop
continued breast feeding after this period.”