How much can you trust food labels? When a product label states that an item is organic, should you expect anything less than what the label says? The division between organic and conventional foods was heightened recently after the Obama administration banned two additives from organic baby foods and formulas. These two additives, omega-3 fatty acid DHA and omega-6 fatty acid ARA, are present in 90 percent of baby foods and formulas. These synthetic fatty acids are often added to promote brain and eye development, much like breast milk does. Nevertheless, when you add a synthetic substance to food that’s otherwise natural and pesticide-free, can you still call the product “organic”?
Going organic has been a common trend over the past 20 years with food but not only clothing. As adults purchase organic foods and fabrics for themselves, having the same quality items for your children makes sense. But, while many organic items are consistent with production, this doesn’t appear to be the case for baby foods and formulas with an “organic” label.
This isn’t the first time the standards for organic food have been addressed, however. The USDA ruled that adding synthetic fatty acids to otherwise organic foods violates federal standards. In the present, the current administration is revising its guidelines on organic foods to phase out these baby products and to make sure that baby foods and formulas in the future no longer contain these additives.
What can you do in the time being? One option is to settle for conventional baby foods and formulas, while going organic in every other aspect with your child. But, short of going conventional, you can research which brands or types of organic baby food are actually organic and don’t contain these synthetic additives, and, until your child is old enough for solid foods, choose from that small pool of organic baby foods.
