Ingredients Vary in Organic Formulas

Marketing messages promoted by formula companies can overwhelm new parents who are concerned about their baby's diet. For example, some magazine ads give parents the impression their baby will have blurred vision if they don't provide a formula that contains DHA fatty acids. There are ads that communicate formula is now more like breast milk if it contains DHA fatty acids. Other ads leave parents with the impression that because the FDA requires all formulas to contain certain nutrient levels, all formulas provide equal nutrition and only price should matter.

In fact, studies demonstrate that when a baby receives higher levels of essential fatty acids, it's not necessary to add DHA fatty acids.¹ Additionally, manufactured formula will never compare to breast milk, which contains 100 live ingredients that are not understood by modern science. Also, formulas may be nutritionally equal, but the quality of ingredients impact price and should matter to parents. Learn more by following the links below that describe the major ingredients used in Baby's Only Organic^® formula and how they compare to other leading brands.

Nature's One^® Formulas Do Not Contain life'sDHA^™

In 2001, US infant formula manufacturers began adding a novel source of DHA and ARA that is manufactured by Martek Biosciences called life'sDHA™. This DHA is derived from strains of algae; the ARA is manufactured using a non-toxigenic soil fungus. In 2006, organic infant formula companies began promoting their use of this same ingredient. The following is the manufacturing process described by Martek:

"The oil is then separated from the dried biomass by hexane extraction and centrifugation and/or filtration, followed by winterization. The hexane phase undergoes additional centrifugation/filtration to remove solids then the winterized oil is heated and treated with acid. Subsequently, the oil is treated with caustic, centrifuged, bleached and deodorized." ²

Learn more at Cornucopia Institute

1. Austed N, et al, "Growth and Development in term infants fed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: A double-masked, randomized, parallel, prospective, multivariate study," Pediatrics, 108; 2:372-381.
2. Sam Zeller, Ph.D. - Martek Biosciences Corporation, Food & Drug Administration Agency Response Letter, GRAS Notice No. GRN 000137

Compare Baby's Only Organic^® Ingredients to Other Brands

Carbohydrates

Baby's Only Organic^® Toddler Formula uses organic brown rice syrup as its carbohydrate source in addition to naturally occurring organic lactose. Rice is known to be a relatively non-allergenic food and well tolerated by infants. This is the reason rice cereal is most often the first food introduced to older infants. Lactose has not been added to the formula; however, the cow's milk used in Baby's Only Organic^® does naturally contain lactose. Earth's Best^® and Wal-Mart's formulas contain added lactose for carbohydrate, which may cause some concern if a baby is sensitive to lactose. Too much lactose can overwhelm the baby's ability to digest the milk-sugar and cause gassiness, bloating and a very unhappy baby. If the parents are milk sensitive, consult with the baby's healthcare professional and a non-dairy formula may be recommended such as Baby's Only Organic^® Soy formula.

Carbohydrates are one of the crucial dietary sources of energy that supports the brain, enables muscular contractions, and provides the fuel necessary for a baby's rapid growth through 24-months of age. So it is important for a child to get plenty of carbohydrates from good sources. Baby's Only Organic^® source of carbohydrate comes from organic brown rice syrup that requires minimal processing and offers the benefits of slower digestion and absorption of complex sugars that provide a steady supply of energy to a baby.

Organic lactose and evaporated cane juice are simple sugars. Simple carbohydrates are quickly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, increasing insulin levels. A more complex carbohydrate, such as organic brown rice syrup used in Baby's Only Organic^® formulas, requires more time for digestion resulting in slower and steadier absorption of the carbohydrates into the blood stream and a more constant production of insulin.

Organic brown rice syrup is slightly sweeter than lactose but significantly less sweet than sucrose (table sugar) or cane sugar. The medical community has expressed concern over using cane sugar in infant formulas because it is five times sweeter than lactose and could pose health or medical issues related to obesity or dental caries. The carbohydrates in Baby's Only Organic^® Dairy Formula consist of 35% naturally occurring lactose from the organic non-fat cow's milk and 65% organic brown rice syrup.

Essential Fatty Acids

Earth's Best^®, the Wal-Mart^® Parent's Choice^® Brand, and Similac^® Organic are lower in the essential fatty acid, Linoleic Acid; the Alpha-Linolenic fatty acid composition is lower or not stated on the formula labels. These precursor fats are important for the body to convert to DHA & ARA and are critical to brain and eye retina development. In fact, the makers of Similac supported a study¹ comparing breast fed infants to three formulas described below:

• A formula containing no added DHA & ARA, but contained higher levels of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid similar to Baby's Only Organic^® Toddler Formula.
• Two formulas supplemented with synthetic DHA and ARA that contained lower levels of linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid.

The results of this study did NOT support adding synthetic DHA & ARA to formula that contained the higher levels of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. However, Nature's One^® recognizes that some babies may not be as efficient at converting linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid and supplementation with Baby's Only Essentials^® DHA & ARA may be a better option than use of a product with synthetic DHA & ARA. The synthetic DHA & ARA used to supplement Earth's Best^®, Wal-Mart's Parent's Choice^®, and Similac^® Organic infant formulas are treated with hexane solvents, acid and bleach during the manufacturing process.

It is best to compare pediatric formulas using a 100-calorie serving, which is approximately 5-ounces of formula. So over the course of a day of feedings totaling 28oz, a baby consuming Baby's Only Organic^® would receive 1,400mg MORE linoleic acid and 380mg MORE alpha-linolenic fatty acid when compared to Earth's Best^® infant formulas. Remember, just because a formula is organic does not necessarily insure it is nutritionally advanced. Baby's Only Organic^® takes advantage of modern nutritional science.

1. Austed, N. et al, "Growth and development in term infants fed long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: A double-masked, randomized, parallel, prospective, multivariate study," Pediatrics (108); 2:372-381.

DHA & ARA Fatty Acids

Earth's Best^®, Similac^® Organic, and the Wal-Mart^® Parent's Choice^® brand use a novel synthetic source of DHA and ARA for their infant formulas. Our company does not prefer the source or the extraction process for vegetarian fatty acids. The fatty acid derived from C. cohnii oil (algae) and M. alpina oil (fungus) used in the organic and conventional infant formulas are treated with hexane solvents, acid and bleach during processing.¹ This is a common extraction process for conventional oils, but is prohibited for organic vegetable oils. We also know that these vegetarian sources, called life'sDHA™, are a relatively new/novel source of fatty acids and there may be much to learn on the efficacy of the fatty acids. For these reasons, Nature's One^® developed its DHA & ARA product using egg phospholipid, which has been naturally derived and consumed by humans long before the first "chicken or the egg" riddle was posed.

1. Sam Zeller, Ph.D. - Martek Biosciences Corporation, Food & Drug Administration Agency Response Letter, GRAS Notice No. GRN 000137

Vegetable Oils

Some formulas, such as Earth's Best^®, the Walmart^® Parents Choice^® brand, and Enfamil^® use palm olein oil as part of the fat blend in their formulas. Palm olein oil is made from palm oil. Unfortunately clinical studies have proven the use of palm olein oil as a predominant fat source in infant formulas causes some babies to poorly absorb calcium resulting in lower bone mineralization.^1,2 When palm olein oil is provided in the formula, calcium soaps (calcium in fat) are formed in the gut. These calcium soaps prevent the absorption of fat and calcium in the gut and can also result in harder stool formation or constipation.³

Almost 90% of all palm oil is produced in Indonesia and Malaysia at oil-palm plantations. This has resulted in widespread deforestation, destruction of rain forests, and putting the survival of some animals at risk. The razing by burning of tropical rain forests to make way for oil-palm plantations also results in the release of large amounts of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere.4

Baby's Only Organic^® Toddler Formulas contain no palm olein oil and no palm oil. Instead, Baby's Only Organic^® formulas contain a blend of organic oils: Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Organic Soybean Oil and Organic Coconut Oil. Baby's Only Organic^® vegetable oils are expeller-pressed, which is a squeezing process to extract the oil from the organic plants. No harsh chemicals are used to produce the vegetable oils.

1. Koo, W.W.K., et al, "Reduced bone mineralization in infants fed palm olein-containing formula: A randomized, double-blinded, prospective trial." Pediatrics 2003; 111:1007-1023.
2. Kennedy, K. et al, "Double-blinded, randomized trial of a synthetic triacylglycerol in formula-fed term infants: Effects on stool biochemistry, stool characteristics, and bone mineralization." Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 70:920-927.
3. Nelson, S.E. et al, "Absorption of fat and calcium by infants fed a milk-based formula containing palm olein." J Am Coll Nutr 17: 327-332.
4. Brown, Ellie and Jacobson, Michael F. Cruel Oil. Washington, D.C.: Center for Science in the Public Interest, May, 2005.

Ingredients

Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Non-Fat Dry Milk, Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Organic Soybean Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Tricalcium Phosphate, Calcium Ascorbate (Vit. C), Organic Soy Lecithin, Calcium Citrate, Choline Bitartrate, Organic Vanilla Flavor, Taurine, Ferrous Sulfate, Inositol, Natural Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vit. E), Zinc Sulfate, Niacinamide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vit. B1), Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin (Vit. B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit. B6), Folic Acid, Phylloquinone (Vit. K1), Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Biotin, Vitamin D3, Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12).

Kosher

Baby's Only Organic^® Toddler Formula is certified Kosher by Orthodox Union. The kosher symbol, (circle U) O-U, is located on the front portion of the label. A current Kosher Certificate is available upon request.

Allergen Information

Contains soy ingredients

Contains no wheat or wheat gluten, no Martek's DHA & ARA fatty acids, no palm olein oil, no corn or corn syrup, no sucrose, and no peanut.

Organic Ingredients

Numerous research studies have documented the nutritional superiority of organic foods.¹ including a recent study from the United Kingdom that reported on the benefits of consuming organic foods.² Of particular interest is the finding that organic milk can contain up to 60% more antioxidants than found in conventionally produced milk. Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E are molecules that help to prevent damage to the body's cells. We can anticipate many more studies and scientific reports being published soon that further document the benefits of organic eating. It is reasonable to believe that future studies will support theories that the human body must work harder to rid itself of chemicals and hormones used in conventional farming and food manufacturing.

Parents should be aware that there is growing confusion between the terms "natural" and "organic." Don't be fooled by the term "natural" when reading food labels. A "natural" or "all natural" product is not an organic product that meets rigorous standards and certification.³ The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) presently defines "natural" rules for only the meat and poultry industry.⁴ No other foods are covered and, in fact, other food manufacturers can create their own definition of "natural" for the foods they produce.

Consumers may also be under the false impression that "natural" foods are "greener" than their organic counterparts. For example, "natural" milk may come from dairy herds where hormones are not used. However, these cows are usually fed in factory farm feedlots rather than roam on chemical-free pastures as required for organic dairy farms. With more large corporations looking to the "heath food" industry as an avenue to increase profits, parents need to become better informed shoppers.

1. Benbrook, C, et al. New Evidence Confirms the Nutritional Superiority of Plant-Based Organic Foods. Boulder, CO: The Organic Center, 2008.
2. Butler, G, et al. "Fatty acid and fat-soluble antioxidant concentrations in milk from high- and low-input conventional and organic systems: seasonal variation," Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2008; 88(8): 1431-1441.
3. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/ofp/ofp.shtml Sourced July 13, 2009.
4. http://www.fsis.usda.gov/FactSheets/Meat_&_Poultry_Labeling_Terms/index.asp Sourced July 13, 2009 .

% Whey and Casein

Baby's Only Organic^® dairy formula contains naturally occurring casein and whey proteins. Our organic non-fat milk consists of 18% whey and 82% casein.

Taurine, Selenium & Iron

Baby's Only Organic^® formulas do contain taurine, selenium and iron, similar to conventional formulas.

Taurine, an amino acid normally present in breast milk, has been shown to play a role in retinal development, among others. Cow and soy milks do not contain adequate amounts of the amino acid.

Selenium is a mineral important for proper formation of red blood cells, development of skeletal muscle and proper growth. Selenium, too, is normally present in breast milk, but lacking in cow and soy milks. Baby's Only Organic^® contains added taurine and selenium.

Iron is added at the level recommended by the Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition. Inappropriate dietary iron could result in anemia, weakness, muscle fatigue, abnormal gastrointestinal motility, and a reduction of cognitive ability. This reduction in cognition has been shown to be irreversible, even once a normal iron level is retained.

Nucleotides

Baby's Only Organic^® Dairy Formula contains naturally occurring nucleotides found in organic dairy protein. Nature's One^® believes this is adequate to meet the growth and development needs of children. These organic nucleotides are not declared on Baby's Only Organic's label because it is not an ingredient addition - instead they occur naturally as mentioned.

Nutritional science and the medical community have not determined if there are any added benefits for added nucleotides - especially since all are synthetically derived. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition weighs-in on this subject as well commenting that "...additional studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action, confirm clinical endpoints, and monitor the long-term effects of adding nucleotides to infant formula." ¹

Most importantly, nucleotides added to conventional and organic infant formulas are derived by synthetic, non-organic methods. There are presently no organic or natural sources for nucleotides. We are therefore concerned about the harmful effects of the chemicals used to process nucleotides and the synthetic source of nucleotides; especially since the benefits of their addition have not been clearly demonstrated.

1. Reference: Committee on Nutrition, Pediatric Nutrition Handbook, 6th edition, American Academy of Pediatrics, pg 810.