Contaminants in growing baby milk. Is the vaccine better?

An analysis by Altromercato warns against the consumption of milk for growth. Would the only alternative be cow's milk?

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After one year of age, if it is not possible to breastfeed the baby, which milk is the best? Artificial milk or cow's milk? Too rich in sugars and aromas and also containing potentially carcinogenic contaminants, Altroconsumo has no doubts: al Formulated growth milk is better to prefer cow's milk. The association has indeed analyzed 12 brands of formula milk coming to a conclusion: the so-called "growth milk" is not only useless for babies, but it can also be dangerous.

What is true is that the growth milk intended for children up to 3 years old is passed off as the "best choice" because it is enriched with substances such as iron, vitamins and mineral salts. But, as EFSA also admits, this is a misleading message: that type of milk actually is too sugary, expensive (about 0.80 euros more per liter than normal milk) and in some cases it can be harmful to health.

From the analyzes carried out by Altroconsumo, in fact, it emerged that many milks for growth contain sugars, aromas and in addition dangerous contaminants, which can be a health risk especially for children.

In these drinks, cow's milk is only one of the ingredients, the rest is made up of sugar, flavors, maltodextrins, emulsifiers and vegetable oils. And it is precisely in these oils, refined (palm oil in primis), that they are contained dangerous substances based on glycerol and glycidol. Notes with the names of "3 MCPD” (3 monocloropropandiolo) e “GE”(Glycidyl esters), these substances are considered potentially carcinogenic and toxic to the kidneys the former, and the latter genotoxic and carcinogenic. In addition, according to the analyzes, with the exception of two products (Plasmon Nutrimune and Aptamil), all milks contain GE, while 11 out of 12 samples contain 3 MCPDs.

Here you will find the complete analysis. E Thu the contaminated brands.

Cow's milk better?

This is the question that consequently arises. Regardless of one's eating style and the choices made at the table and in the family, cow's milk - in the event that, for the most disparate and personal reasons, one does not continue breastfeeding at full term - seems to be better. .

“Growth milk is not necessary to offer children a healthy and complete diet: cow's milk and a balanced diet are sufficient (unless there are special needs). In fact, the best choice, after one year of age, is to use fresh pasteurized milk, the one that is drunk in the family. There is no reason either to dilute milk with water, or to use skim milk: indeed, milk fats are essential for the baby's development ".

It is also true that some elements are missing in cow's milk, but in a varied diet it is not difficult to find them in other sources, such as:

• DHA fatty acid, with fish of different varieties
• iron, with lean meat, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, beans, lentils and cereals to increase their absorption
• vitamin D, with fatty fish and yolk
• iodine

On milk for babies you can also read:

• How profitable formula milk campaigns are discouraging breastfeeding around the world
• Milk: a beneficial food or to avoid?
• Cow's milk: here are the plant alternatives

Germana Carillo