Danger on Tap

The report that manufacturers of infant formula present their products as similar to breast milk is disturbing ('Half of all mothers turn to the bottle after six months', 23/11).

Commercial formulas cannot come close to replicating the complex mix of oils and immunity-promoting nutritional factors in breast milk.

And there is another serious problem with formula feeding. Neither manufacturers nor health authorities give sufficient warnings that formula must not be made with fluoridated tap water.

Tap water in big cities contains added fluoride chemicals, quite toxic to very young infants. Formula made with it contains 100 times more fluoride than nature intended (and than found in breast milk).

The human breast furiously filters out fluoride till almost none remains, for a very good reason: infants up to about six years have a poorly developed ability to excrete or detoxify the noxious fluoride.

Fluoride is a registered poison, listed as similar in toxicity to arsenic and lead. It is well documented scientifically that fluoride is harmful to bone development and the nervous system in adults. The risk is far greater to children.

Formula should display large warnings about using fluoridated tap water.
David McCrae, Geelong West
Letter to Australia's The Sunday Age, 30th November 2003

PHILLIP DAY'S COMMENT: David McCrae is a tireless opponent of fluoridation and, along with his team, triumphed over the City of Geelong (an hour west of Melbourne) to have the practice thrown out. For those wishing to join the Australian Fluoridation Information Network (for free) and become active in ridding Australia of this destructive, toxic and unnecessary practice, please contact Ailsa Boyden on boydens@mrbean.net.au