American baby formula organic regulatory agency is the Food and Drug Administration. Unlike European organic standards, the FDA policies do not specifically exclude the use of lab-made nutrients and preservatives from eligibility in baby formulas.
Unfortunately, these weak standards allow for certain unethical formula manufacturers to include these ingredients in their products. You will often see these ingredients labeled as healthy and needed in our body, but the sourcing of those ingredients are not natural and therefore cannot be considered truly organic.
Some of synthetic ingredients that are allowed in American baby formulas, but have been banned by the EU are:
X Ascorbyl palmitate
X Beta carotene
X Lutein
X Lycopene
X L-methionine
The very basic FDA guidelines fall short when it comes to laying out exactly what is allowed during the manufacturing process. Restrictions on the way carbohydrates, proteins, and fats can be included in products are very vague and allow for more unwanted toxic ingredients in American baby formulas.
The FDA does have limits on heavy metals in baby formula, as well as set limits for chemicals, fillers, and unnatural preservatives used during the manufacturing process. Unfortunately, we have seen a blatant disregard of these rules, which have led to a dangerous level of poisonous ingredients into American baby formulas.