CRI听力:China Bans Bovine Colostrum in Infant Formula

Bovine colostrum is the milk produced by healthy cows during the first seven days after they give birth.

According to industry insiders, China is the world's largest bovine colostrum consumer, although the health benefits of formula made with the material have yet to be determined.

One parent says she often sees advertisements about bovine colostrum.

"These advertisements say bovine colostrum is good for newborns, because it may strengthen their immunity. However, as far as I know, doctors usually don't suggest babies have bovine colostrum, because nothing is better than breastfeeding."

Expert says it's okay if people with low immune systems take bovine colostrum as a health supplement, because it works to some extent. In many other countries bovine colostrum is sold as a health food supplement to enhance immunity for adults.

However, whether bovine colostrum should be added to infant formula has long been controversial.

Expert Yu Hong from the Chinese Medical Doctor Association talks about her opinion.

"We tend to simply pay attention to the protein contained in bovine colostrums. However, there is also a hormone in bovine colostrum, which will probably have side effects for some babies; for example, babies who have abnormal sexual development the hormone contained in bovine colostrum will make the situation worse because it can cause sexual prematurity."

Experts add that there is also very large difference in the amounts of lactose, protein and fat between regular milk and bovine colostrum. So it is hard for babies to digest bovine colostrum, because their digestive systems are still far from fully developed.

Bao Xiulan, a doctor at Peking Union Medical College Hospital explains.

"I have been objecting the use of bovine colostrum in infant formulas. Bovine colostrum is perfect for calves, but it's not necessarily good for human babies. Different proteins contained in bovine colostrum may cause allergies. And it won't work to enhance immune systems because the antibody it contains is killed in the processing."

With the ban on bovine colostrum, the Ministry of Health urged manufacturers of bovine colostrum-based dairy products to manufacture their goods in accordance with national and industrial standards.

For CRI, I am Zhang Wan.