Media Release

Ministry of Health's infant formula fluoride reference contradicts the Ministry's claim

The Ministry of Health has claimed the ADA's warning that infant formula NOT be made up with fluoridate water is not applicable in NZ because, in part, "Infant formula is regulated under Standard 2.9.1 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. When the Standard was developed, consideration was given to the fact that fluoridated tap water would be used in the reconstitution of powdered infant formula in New Zealand." This statement was part of the Ministry's official press release.

In fact the background report to this standard, obtained under the Official Information Act, states that the standard was set based on not just unfluoridated water, but on fluoride-free (distilled) water. "The Ministry has simply told the public a blatant bare-faced lie. It is absolutely appalling. Heads need to roll over this" proclaims Mark Atkin, of Fluoride Action Network (NZ). The report even states essentially the same warning as the ADA, for an even lower level of exposure:

"[The advisory] statement on infant formula labels [to consult a doctor about the risk of dental fluorosis if the set level (0.17mcg/100KJ) was exceeded] was proposed for infant formula powders containing levels above 0.5 mg/L when reconstituted with fluorine free water." (emphasis added) "At the levels given the formula may not cause dental fluorosis if prepared with water that has been distilled. However, if used with fluoridated water it may cause fluorosis."

The report goes on to reiterate the point:

"Sources of products that may contribute to excess fluoride ingestion in infants are fluoridated water, infant formula (reconstituted with optimally fluoridated water), "

"The Ministry is obviously determined to tell the NZ public any lie it has to to cover up its fundamentally flawed policy - one that it is politically committed to protecting at any cost. Both National and Labour have been committed to perpetrating the great lie about fluoridation for 50 years. Obviously they won't stop lying until they are forced to" observes Mr Atkin.

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