All infant formulas, whether ready-to-feed, concentrated or organic, contain fluoride at levels which can discolor developing teeth, reports the October 2009 Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA)(1).
Fluoride, added to some bottled and public water supplies ostensibly to prevent cavities, is also in many foods and beverages, including infant formula. Excessive fluoride discolors and/or weakens permanent teeth (moderate fluorosis).
Researchers measured fluoride content of 49 infant formulas. See: http://www.freewebs.com/fluoridation/infantformulafluoride.htm
The research team concludes, "Most infants from birth to age 12 months who consume predominantly powdered and liquid concentrate formula are likely to exceed the upper tolerable limit [of fluoride] if the formula is reconstituted with optimally fluoridated water (0.7 - 1.2 ppm)."
Surprisingly, the study reveals that all 6-month-olds and younger will also exceed the lower "adequate intake" (0.01 mg/day) from all formulas (concentrated or not) risking moderate dental fluorosis from formula, alone.(2)
Breast milk contains about 250 times less fluoride than "optimally" fluoridated water and isn't linked to fluorosis.
"Babies don't need fluoride, and fluoride ingestion doesn't reduce tooth decay," says attorney Paul Beeber, President, New York State Coalition Opposed to Fluoridation, Inc. "So why are U.S. babies still exposed to unnecessary fluoride chemicals via the water and food supplies, and why aren't parents informed of the consequences?" asks Beeber.
Up to 48% of school children have fluorosed teeth - 4% severe, reports the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)(3).