Many people are still seeking information about the sudden change of Pregomin (an extensively hydrolyzed formula based on soy and collagen) to Pregomin Pepti (hydrolyzed formula based on cow´s milk whey ).
The Blog of Bahia Association of Parents and Friends of Children With Food Allergy published a newsletter sent by Danone explaining their reasons for the replacement (http://abapaa.blogspot.com/2010/09/substituicao-do-pregomim- per-pregomim.html) here translated:
"Dear Dr (a).,
Danone Baby Nutrition, always thinking in innovation and development of new products that meet the latest dietary recommendations adapted to the special needs of infants, reports the withdrawal of the product and its replacement by Pregomin Pepti. Such a substitution has been done in all countries where the product is marketed.
What are the reasons for replacing Pregomin by Pregomin Pepti?
• Pregomin Pepti meets the recommendations of recent national and international Medical Societies, which did not recommend the use of soy-based formulations due to the high content of phytoestrogens (isoflavones), aluminum and phytate, with possible deleterious effects on neuroendocrine development.
• Pregomin Pepti is the hydrolyzate formula more used worldwide, a product with a history of more than 25 years in the world market and with scientific documentation of its efficacy and safety.
• Because it is produced on a large scale, Pregomin Pepti has lower cost and allows us to sell it as a more affordable product.
• Pregomin Pepti contains MCTs, ARA, DHA and nucleotides, important nutrients for optimal digestion and absorption of fats, best visual and neuromotor development, as well as increased production of immunologically active cells, higher levels of antibodies, a lower incidence of diarrhea and increase in iron absorption.
• By virtue of its greater density, Pregomin Pepti has better performance in relation to the other hydrolysates Pregomin and the market.
• Pregomin Pepti has better flavor, and acceptance, proven in studies to facilitate acceptance to treatment. The reasons for its better taste are the presence of 100% maltodxtrina as a source of carbohydrates, the presence of extensively hydrolyzed protein 100% whey as protein source, as well as advanced production technology.
In order to assure a transition period of patients who are currently using Pregomim, the product will remain available for sale at the Taste of Living program, by calling 0800 727 8027, until the end of August 2010.
We also ensure that there wont be any problems to supply to states and municipalities where there are contracts for Pregomim in its old formulation.
Sincerely,
Claudio J. Sturion
Luis Marcellus Smith "
From now on, I would like to propose some reflections on such information:
1) Pregomin Pepti is equivalent to Nestle's Alfaré and MeadJohnson´s Pregestimil. They are hydrolyzed formulas made from cow´s milk whey. So it does not attend to the same public that is in need of the Pregomin hydrolyzed made from soy and is unable to use the hydrolyzed cow´s milk whey.
2) All the criticisms made about the use of soy, especially by American and European authorities are
well known (high content of phytoestrogens (isoflavones), aluminum and phytate, with possible deleterious effects on neuroendocrine development) - and it still does not justify the withdrawal of only a certain product which uses the hydrolyzed soy (highly fragmented) when there are so many other soy products, including NAN SOY, ADES juice and lots of others food made from soy ... non fragmented soy and that are even known for causing cross-reaction in all children who have an intolerance to cow's milk and beef products in general!
3) Most children dependent on Pregomin (hydrolyzed soy) will be forced to "migrate" to the Neocate, involuting from a semi-elemental formula to an elementary formula, fully hydrolyzed formula. It is known that prolonged use of Neocate (a highly hydrolyzed formula) causes atrophy of the digestive tract. For children that already have progressed from Neocate to Pregomin previously, IT IS A MAJOR AND VERY NEGATIVE HEALTH SETBACK, but, for Danone, it probably means the largest gain since the Neocate is much more expensive and the profit of the company is surely greater.
4) What is the real reason to withdraw a product (Pregomin soy-based) that has no similar product on the market and replace it with a product (Pregomin Pepti -based on cow´s milk whey) that has two other similar competitors like Alfaré of the Nestle and the Nestle's Alfaré and MeadJohnson´s Pregestimil?
5) Considering the well known damages caused by soy... surely everyone that depend on the soy to survive prefer to face the risk of its use than to face death by malnutrition. Therefor, I suggest the use of mandatory consumer information such as those used in cigarettes and in bottles and pacifiers, "Warning: Smoking is harmful to health" and "Warning: The use of bottle, nipple or pacifier affect breastfeeding. "
FINALLY, I would like to remind everyone that if Pregomin formula made of soy is no longer
used by Support/Danone company and so many depend on it, nothing prevents us to
break the patent and produce the a generic formula in Brasil considering:
a) Brazil produces and exports soybeans;
b) Brazil is one of the major importers of hypoallergenic food in the world.
c) We import Pregomin and Neocate, we pay R$ 200.00 to R$ 500.00 per can.
d) We are always stocking up with the fear of a strike in Customs and delaying shipments.
e) To maintain to maintain the life and healthy well-being of our children we need to spend more than R$10,000.00 per month only for purchasing the formula.
f) Does anyone have any idea of how many cans of these special formulas are bought by the government of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro for Public Hospitals and also to obey judicial orders?
g) How did we start to produce generic drugs in Brazil and how many lives have they saved?
h) How did we start producing cocktails for carriers of the HIV virus? By breaking patents and starting to produce generic drugs.
I suggest to all users of Pregomin, all the ones who need the formula to continue living - especially those who live in Brazil, a wonderful country of continental dimensions, where everything can be planted and produced - to unite and to seek for authorities willing to fight for the cause.
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