FDA issues warning about homemade infant formulas

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about homemade infant formula after reports of babies being hospitalized. An FDA spokesperson said the agency recently received reports of infants suffering from hypocalcemia, which is a rare condition in which there is extremely low calcium in the blood.

Since 2006, the FDA has stated that the agency does not recommend that consumers make infant formula at home. Infant formula, in liquid and powder forms, is strictly regulated by the FDA.

“The FDA has requirements for certain nutrients in infant formulas, and if the formula does not contain these nutrients at or above the minimum level or within the specified range, the infant formula is adulterated,” said the FDA alert. The agency explained that homemade infant formula recipes have not been evaluated and may lack nutrients vital to an infant’s growth.

The Texas Department of State Health Services said it hasn’t received any similar reports.

The FDA said symptoms of hypocalcemia in infants include: Seizures; General and/or neuromuscular irritability; Vomiting; Lethargy.