Animal products is found in baby food

RESEARCHERS at Almeria University found traces of medical products given to cattle in baby food. Although the amounts of anti-parasite substances and antibiotics used on animals which have been detected are very low and “not alarming” they say that controls should be increased to prevent them from reaching the food chain.

They were found while analyzing meat-based baby foods with a system designed to do so quickly and precisely.

The head of the Project, Antonia Garrido, pointed out that only 12 samples of baby food and eight of powdered milk had been analysed, and that to speak of conclusive results, at least 30 to 50 should be tested.

Five medical products were found in the milk and 10 in the meat-based food which suggests that some farms do not have strict controls on the administration of medicine to animals.

There is currently no EU legislation regarding the permissible trace amounts of such substances in meat-based baby and child products.

The researchers say that there should be zero tolerance to such substances, as they can cause allergies, build up resistance to antibiotics and lead to health problems.

By Jennifer Leighfield