Y'know, maybe it's time to demand higher standards.

I didn't blog about the Similac recall when it first happened, 'cause really, what was there to say?  Beyond, you know, "What the fuck?  BEETLE PARTS?"

I will say that I, and several other people, were rather gobsmacked by this little tidbit in the recall notice: 

The United States Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract.

 (Emphasis mine, natürlich.)

Then today I come across this article on Time.com titled "Similac Recall Outrages Parents: Are Beetles Bad?"

And that contained this little gem:

In any case, he also points out that powder formula is never sterile. Heat sterilization still allows a certain amount of bacteria in the form of tiny insects to remain in the powder. “Beetles,” he allows, “are not supposed to be in formula. Usually you find microscopic bugs.”

(You know the routine.)

OK, I know that the FDA supposedly allows a certain amount of critters in all our prepared food, but perhaps it's time for parents to demand higher standards for what they're putting in their babies' tummies.  Because I'm getting a distinct "oh, foreign objects in powdered formula is perfectly normal" vibe from this article.  And really?  That's not okay.




(And just because I cannot leave well enough alone, a link in reference to the whole "flame retardant in breast milk" thing: http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/88/i26/8826news1.html   Money quote: "Bennett's study also linked elevated PBDEs with having been fed infant formula rather than breast milk, with consuming pork and poultry, and with recent purchases of upholstered furniture and mattresses."  Which is to say, that shit's everywhere.)