Its okay folks, the NZFDA knows best.

A toxic nanoparticle, traditionally associated with dental products and used to re-mineralise teeth, has been discovered in infant milk powder sold in New Zealand.

According to a report in Stuff.co.nz…

Tiny needle-like nanoparticles have been found in baby formula sold in New Zealand.

A study from Arizona State University in the US tested seven off-the-shelf baby formula products and found two — Nestle’s NAN HA 1 Gold, and Australian-owned Nature’s Way Kids Smart 1 — contained needle-shaped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles. Nestle’s NAN HA 1 Gold, is stocked in Countdown supermarkets throughout the country.

The European Union’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) concluded these “fully synthetic” nanoparticles were potentially toxic and shouldn’t be used in oral care products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. European countries are considering eliminating the particles from oral care products such as toothpaste because of the potential dangers… more here

But Food Standards Australia New Zealand dismissed the study’s findings, saying they do not believe there is a risk to infant health and safety, and that they would “dissolve in the stomach“. This is despite evidence that the nano-particles may cause cardiac and respiratory arrest, and that survivors may experience lung congestion and fatty liver.

The SCCS published a research report into the nano-substance in Oct 2015, revised in March 2016. Among other things it said…

Nano-hydroxyapatite is used as a drug delivery material and as a bone defect filling material.

Oral care products containing nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite are intended to be used for teeth remineralisation and apparently are already on the market.

Products listed in the dossiers are either in the form of paste or suspension. All products listed in the dossiers are intended for oral application. All products are listed as rinse off – except 3 mouthwash products that are listed by Company A as leave on.The material is intended for use in toothpaste, tooth whitener and mouthwash products.

Based on the explanation provided by one Applicant (Company C) the concentration of hydroxyapatite of 3- 15% refers to the concentration in the raw material 1, which contains 15.5% nano-hydroxyapatite. Therefore, the 3 -15% of the raw material 1 corresponds to 0.465 – 2.325% nano-hydroxyapatite in the final product.

The submission also describes the use of 90% of raw material 1 which corresponds to 13.95% of nano-hydroxy apatite (w/w) in the final product.All materials are described as having no surface reactivity or photoreactivity.

Toxicokinetics

The available information points to the fact that some forms of nano-hydroxyapatite might exert systemic effects after administration by the dermal and oral route. Further, nano-hydroxyapatite might be taken up by mucosal–like corneal epithelial cells.

These indications mainly stem from studies performed with needle-shaped nano-hydroxyapatite. Apart from one study demonstrating uptake in human buccal cells [cheek cells, Admin] of spherical lyshaped nano-hydroxyapatite (see section 3.3.12.2), no information is available on the systemic effects or systemic uptake (absorption) of nano-hydroxyapatite in non-needle-like shape.

Based on the available information, systemic effects or systemic uptake of orally administered nano-hydroxyapatite cannot be excluded. This is supported by the observed cellular uptake in in vitro studies performed with nano-hydroxyapatite. From the limited information available it can be supposed, that if systemically available, nano-hydroxyapatite will be distributed to liver, kidneys and lungs. Nano-hydroxyapatite particles have been assumed to be converted into Ca2+ and PO43 – and excreted afterwards…