brendastarr
New Member
Dear Mummies,
I have posted this in the "matters of the heart" because I am new to this forum and am not sure where I should post this..I think this is a more appropriate place to post this.
I have been using Happybellies cereal because it contains choline and DHA which other cereals do not seem to have. I was alerted by my friends in USA who had been helping me buy the cereals that the DHA added to Happy bellies are from a company known as Martek Biosciences Corporation which are famous for their manufacture of DHAs. You can verify this by checking Happybellies FAQs on DHA on their website. In 2010, USDA has raised a legal complaint against Martek Biosciences Corporation due to the fact that their DHAs are derived from GMOs algae or fungi or they extract through using a petrol chemical known as Hexane. These are certainly not organic! Please see extracts from article published yesterday 1 April 2012:
By Dr. Mercola
Last December, the U.S. National Organic Standards Board, an expert panel that advise the USDA Secretary on organic matters, narrowly approved Martek Biosciences Corporation's petition to allow the use of their genetically modified soil fungus and algae as nutritional supplements in organic food.
The product is an omega 3/omega-6 oil (DHA/ARA) synthesized from fermented algae and soil fungus.
The oil is extracted from this biomass using hexane, a neurotoxic byproduct of gasoline refinement that is specifically banned in organics.
The Cornucopia Institute investigated Martek's patent and safety filings at the FDA, and discovered that the product also contains synthetic chemicals, stabilizers, carriers, and some of the ingredients are also genetically modified.
(As it turns out, some of their products were developed by Monsanto before Martek bought the technical rights.)
Martek's formulated oils are added to "organic" milk, infant formula, and a number of different foods. After a formal legal complaint, the USDA announced in 2010 that it had "inappropriately" allowed Martek oils to be included in organic foods.
But enforcement of their removal was delayed for 18 months in an apparent effort to permit corporate lobbyists to petition for review and legal inclusion in organic food. According to the Conucopia Institute:
"Although Martek told the board that they would discontinue the use of the controversial neurotoxic solvent n-hexane for DHA/ARA processing, they did not disclose what other synthetic solvents would be substituted. Federal organic standards prohibit the use of all synthetic/petrochemical solvents".
"Martek's DHA and ARA products are synthetic attempts at omega-3 fats that have been in the U.S. marketplace since 2002, and in organic products since 2006. They are chemically extracted from certain types of algae and fungi that have never before been part of the human diet, and have never been approved by the USDA. Yet they have made their way into your baby's bottle. "
"In fact, it is unlikely that the production process of these agents has been examined at all—and for good reason. The Cornucopia Institute has uncovered an entire list of questions regarding the source, processing, and other ingredients used in the manufacturing of Martek's DHA and ARA, any one of which could result in a ban from their use in certified organic products."
GMOs, Lies, and Petrochemicals
"For starters, Martek's synthetic oils are extracted using a toxic petrochemical solvent called hexane—a process that's just about as NON-organic as you can get. Hexane extraction is widely used in the production of oils, such as fatty acids and vegetable oils, but is banned in organic produce because it's a non-organic material."
So what's their loophole?
Martek Biosciences was able to dodge the ban on hexane-extraction by claiming USDA does not consider omega-3 and omega-6 fats to be "agricultural ingredients." Therefore, they argue, the ban against hexane extraction does not apply. But hexane-extraction is just the tip of the iceberg. Other questionable manufacturing practices and misleading statements by Martek includei:
•Undisclosed synthetic ingredients, prohibited for use in organics (including the sugar alcohol mannitol, modified starch, glucose syrup solids, and "other" undisclosed ingredients)
•Microencapsulation of the powder and nanotechnology, which are prohibited under organic laws
•Use of volatile synthetic solvents, besides hexane (such as isopropyl alcohol)
•Recombinant DNA techniques and other forms of genetic modification of organisms; mutagenesis; use of GMO corn as a fermentation medium
•Heavily processed ingredients that are far from "natural"
Your Body Knows These "Nutrients" are Fake
Although DHA and ARA from real foods are indeed important nutrients, the synthetic versions are not even remotely the same. They are foreign to your body, and to your infant's body, which is why many babies are having terrible adverse reactions. Naturally derived omega-3 fats have important benefits to your baby's eyes and brain. Martek has manipulated this fact into a clever marketing ploy that convinces mothers that this artificial concoction is as good for their babies as breast milk.
But there is no scientific evidence to substantiate Martek's health claims. Martek claims that their formula is "proven in independent clinical studies to enhance mental development." According to the Cornucopia Institute, this claim is based on one single study involving just 19 infants. Martek neglects to mention the numerous other clinical studies that fail to show any advantage in brain development.
The Perfect Formula for Diarrhea, Vomiting and Gastrointestinal Pain
The Cornucopia Institute has compiled a summaryii of hundreds of adverse reports submitted to the FDA about possible intolerance to DHA/ARA-supplemented infant formula. Of those reports, 98 are said to be "confidently linked" to intolerance to the DHA/ARA oils. Many hundreds more are highly suspect. The reported gastrointestinal symptoms include:
•Severe gas
•Diarrhea and vomiting
•Gastric reflux
•Constipation and bowel obstruction
•Agitation, fussiness, crying, and severe distress
The adverse reaction reports filed with the FDA represent only the tip of the iceberg, as most parents are unaware that Martek's additives may be the cause of their infants' problems. Some parents and their babies have endured these symptoms for weeks or months before identifying the cause, believing it was simply colic or unexplained fussiness.
A few companies have made a conscious decision to not use Martek's additives in their baby food products, in order to protect the organic integrity of their foods. Cornucopia has published a list of "USDA Organic" products containing Martek's additivesiii. Shockingly, ALL organic infant formulas with the exception of ONE (Baby's Only Organic) contain Martek's DHA! Some baby foods also contain it, so it's a good idea to get in the habit of reading ALL of your labels.
Please be careful. I will stop using Happy Bellies cereal.
I have posted this in the "matters of the heart" because I am new to this forum and am not sure where I should post this..I think this is a more appropriate place to post this.
I have been using Happybellies cereal because it contains choline and DHA which other cereals do not seem to have. I was alerted by my friends in USA who had been helping me buy the cereals that the DHA added to Happy bellies are from a company known as Martek Biosciences Corporation which are famous for their manufacture of DHAs. You can verify this by checking Happybellies FAQs on DHA on their website. In 2010, USDA has raised a legal complaint against Martek Biosciences Corporation due to the fact that their DHAs are derived from GMOs algae or fungi or they extract through using a petrol chemical known as Hexane. These are certainly not organic! Please see extracts from article published yesterday 1 April 2012:
By Dr. Mercola
Last December, the U.S. National Organic Standards Board, an expert panel that advise the USDA Secretary on organic matters, narrowly approved Martek Biosciences Corporation's petition to allow the use of their genetically modified soil fungus and algae as nutritional supplements in organic food.
The product is an omega 3/omega-6 oil (DHA/ARA) synthesized from fermented algae and soil fungus.
The oil is extracted from this biomass using hexane, a neurotoxic byproduct of gasoline refinement that is specifically banned in organics.
The Cornucopia Institute investigated Martek's patent and safety filings at the FDA, and discovered that the product also contains synthetic chemicals, stabilizers, carriers, and some of the ingredients are also genetically modified.
(As it turns out, some of their products were developed by Monsanto before Martek bought the technical rights.)
Martek's formulated oils are added to "organic" milk, infant formula, and a number of different foods. After a formal legal complaint, the USDA announced in 2010 that it had "inappropriately" allowed Martek oils to be included in organic foods.
But enforcement of their removal was delayed for 18 months in an apparent effort to permit corporate lobbyists to petition for review and legal inclusion in organic food. According to the Conucopia Institute:
"Although Martek told the board that they would discontinue the use of the controversial neurotoxic solvent n-hexane for DHA/ARA processing, they did not disclose what other synthetic solvents would be substituted. Federal organic standards prohibit the use of all synthetic/petrochemical solvents".
"Martek's DHA and ARA products are synthetic attempts at omega-3 fats that have been in the U.S. marketplace since 2002, and in organic products since 2006. They are chemically extracted from certain types of algae and fungi that have never before been part of the human diet, and have never been approved by the USDA. Yet they have made their way into your baby's bottle. "
"In fact, it is unlikely that the production process of these agents has been examined at all—and for good reason. The Cornucopia Institute has uncovered an entire list of questions regarding the source, processing, and other ingredients used in the manufacturing of Martek's DHA and ARA, any one of which could result in a ban from their use in certified organic products."
GMOs, Lies, and Petrochemicals
"For starters, Martek's synthetic oils are extracted using a toxic petrochemical solvent called hexane—a process that's just about as NON-organic as you can get. Hexane extraction is widely used in the production of oils, such as fatty acids and vegetable oils, but is banned in organic produce because it's a non-organic material."
So what's their loophole?
Martek Biosciences was able to dodge the ban on hexane-extraction by claiming USDA does not consider omega-3 and omega-6 fats to be "agricultural ingredients." Therefore, they argue, the ban against hexane extraction does not apply. But hexane-extraction is just the tip of the iceberg. Other questionable manufacturing practices and misleading statements by Martek includei:
•Undisclosed synthetic ingredients, prohibited for use in organics (including the sugar alcohol mannitol, modified starch, glucose syrup solids, and "other" undisclosed ingredients)
•Microencapsulation of the powder and nanotechnology, which are prohibited under organic laws
•Use of volatile synthetic solvents, besides hexane (such as isopropyl alcohol)
•Recombinant DNA techniques and other forms of genetic modification of organisms; mutagenesis; use of GMO corn as a fermentation medium
•Heavily processed ingredients that are far from "natural"
Your Body Knows These "Nutrients" are Fake
Although DHA and ARA from real foods are indeed important nutrients, the synthetic versions are not even remotely the same. They are foreign to your body, and to your infant's body, which is why many babies are having terrible adverse reactions. Naturally derived omega-3 fats have important benefits to your baby's eyes and brain. Martek has manipulated this fact into a clever marketing ploy that convinces mothers that this artificial concoction is as good for their babies as breast milk.
But there is no scientific evidence to substantiate Martek's health claims. Martek claims that their formula is "proven in independent clinical studies to enhance mental development." According to the Cornucopia Institute, this claim is based on one single study involving just 19 infants. Martek neglects to mention the numerous other clinical studies that fail to show any advantage in brain development.
The Perfect Formula for Diarrhea, Vomiting and Gastrointestinal Pain
The Cornucopia Institute has compiled a summaryii of hundreds of adverse reports submitted to the FDA about possible intolerance to DHA/ARA-supplemented infant formula. Of those reports, 98 are said to be "confidently linked" to intolerance to the DHA/ARA oils. Many hundreds more are highly suspect. The reported gastrointestinal symptoms include:
•Severe gas
•Diarrhea and vomiting
•Gastric reflux
•Constipation and bowel obstruction
•Agitation, fussiness, crying, and severe distress
The adverse reaction reports filed with the FDA represent only the tip of the iceberg, as most parents are unaware that Martek's additives may be the cause of their infants' problems. Some parents and their babies have endured these symptoms for weeks or months before identifying the cause, believing it was simply colic or unexplained fussiness.
A few companies have made a conscious decision to not use Martek's additives in their baby food products, in order to protect the organic integrity of their foods. Cornucopia has published a list of "USDA Organic" products containing Martek's additivesiii. Shockingly, ALL organic infant formulas with the exception of ONE (Baby's Only Organic) contain Martek's DHA! Some baby foods also contain it, so it's a good idea to get in the habit of reading ALL of your labels.
Please be careful. I will stop using Happy Bellies cereal.
