In one more reason why mothers should breastfeed their babies as long as possible, scientists in UK have found that formula milk contain 40 times more aluminium than breast milk, potentially putting the toddlers’ health at risk. Researchers at the Keele University, Staffordshire, who examined 16 of the UK’s leading formula milk brands meant for children up to the age of one, found that traces of the metal in those products are much higher than is legally allowed in water.
One formula made by Cow & Gate — specifically marketed for premature babies — had the highest level of all, with more than 800 micrograms per litre, the researchers said. European law states water can contain no more than 200 micrograms of aluminium per litre, the Daily Mail reported. Dr Chris Exley, who led the study, said: “We’ve known about the high aluminium content in infant formula for many years and there is evidence to show it is potentially quite dangerous.”