Baby Foods Too High in Fluoride
Some baby foods contain such high levels of
fluoride that babies, who eat the food, risk dental fluorosis (white
flecks, brown or yellow irreversibly stained permanent teeth, according
to the Journal of the American Dental Association (Heilman, et al.,
July 1997)
The authors conclude, "Any infants who regularly eat more than
a couple of ounces of infant foods containing high-fluoride-content
chicken would be at elevated fluorosis risk." Infants who eat large
quantities of dry infant cereals reconstituted with fluoridated water
could ingest substantial quantities of fluoride from this source, this
study shows "Children should also be monitored to make sure that
they do not ingest too much fluoride from other sources such as fluoride
dentifrice, dietary fluoride supplements or fluoridated water...."
"Fluoride consumption in the United States is out of control.
Our children are paying the price with smiles that embarrass them,"
said lawyer Paul Beeber, President of the New York State Coalition Opposed
to Fluoridation. "Organized dentistry has lobbied for fluoride,
unchallenged, for years. Now we have a glut of fluoride in our water,
foods, and beverages, along with fluoridated dental products,"
said Beeber.
One ppm (part per million) fluoride is added to over half of US water
supplies (approximately 1 milligram per quart of fluoridated water),
the amount dentists claim as optimal to prevent tooth decay without
causing unsightly dental fluorosis. However, "The actual 'optimal'
fluoride intake has not been determined," according to this study.
"Chicken is processed using a mechanical deboning method that
can leave skin and residual bone particles in the food." (Chicken
skin has been found to contain about 1 ppm fluoride, according to the
study.) Fluoride stores in animals' bones and teeth.
The FDA now requires fluoride toothpaste to carry a warning label:
"WARNINGS: Keep out of the reach of children under six years of
age. If you accidentally swallow more than used for brushing, seek professional
help or contact a poison control center immediately."
"What is the recommended daily dose of fluoride from all sources?
Where does it come from? In what amounts?" asked Beeber. "These
are the questions the media should be asking."
On July 25, 1997, Beeber was presented with a "Pen Certificate"
by New York State Senator Owen H. Johnson for Beeber's efforts, and
that of the New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation members,
in the passage of the Home Rule Bill on fluoridation. The bill was signed
into law on July 2, 1996 by Governor Pataki in spite of intense lobbying
by the New York State Dental Society.
NYSCOF is a volunteer, non-profit coalition of individuals, professionals,
lawmakers, and organizations. They assist communities and supply current
information to all who request it.
Correspondence:
New York State Coalition
Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc.
P.O. Box 263
Old Bethpage
New York 11804 USA
Carol Kopf 516-796-5336
Evelyn Hannan 516-378-7309