What is Copper Sulfate?
[pronounced: COP-per sul-fate | kü-pər səl-ˌfāt ]
Copper sulfate, copper sulphate, and cupric sulfate are interchangeable names for this infant formula ingredient that provides the mineral copper. Many people are surprised to learn that copper isn’t just for jewelry and pots; it is an essential trace mineral. While we do not need much of it (hence its trace moneral category), we could not survive without it!
Why is Copper Sulfate Added to Infant Formula?
Copper is a truly underappreciated micronutrient. Infants need copper to growth and thrive. It plays many biological roles. Copper helps to:
make energy
grow and maintain connective tissue, especially in the heart and blood vessels
form red blood cells (because it helps process iron)
maintain the health of myelin, the fatty substance found around certain nerves
regulate when genes are turned on and off (gene expression), and
defend against free radicals, by-products of oxygen metabolism that damage cells
Like many trace minerals, copper is not well studied, especially in infants.
A 2018, highly technical review of copper metabolism in newborns argues that it is time to pay greater attention to copper balance in infants because it may be a factor in the observed differences between formula and breast-fed infants, particularly in developing countries. (Theses differences are low in developed parts of the world like North America, Europe, and Australia.) However, much of the research on copper’s role in infant health is extrapolated from rat pups. While rats are a good research model, they are not human babies; therefore, there remains much to learn about copper.
Caution! Do Not Google Copper Sulfate
Searching for this infant formula ingredient on the internet can be scary because you’ll quickly learn that copper sulfate is also a commonplace pesticide and fungicide. How can a pesticide used by both organic and conventional farmers also be in infant formula? The answer has to do with the amount of copper sulfate in formula.
We eat trace amounts of copper every day. It is naturally found in every food group, especially in shellfish, mushrooms, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and chocolate. Extreme amounts of copper sulfate are harmful in varying degrees to humans, birds, insects, pets, fish, and even microbes in the soil.
The amount of copper sulfate in food and infant formula is miniscule, practically microscopic, compared to the amount used as a pesticide. Copper in infant formula is measured in micrograms, which one millionth of a gram. Home gardeners use about 57 grams or 57.6 million micrograms per batch. Infant formula contains about one one-millionth this amount.
Regulations and Safety
In the United States, copper sulfate is generally regarded as safe (GRAS). The European Commission also considers it safe when used as a micronutrient supplement.
Because copper is essential to life, the US FDA requires a minimum of 60 micrograms of copper in infant formula per 100 calories of prepared formula. The European Commission requires 35 to 100 micrograms of copper for the same amount.
Let’s go back to our example about the amount of copper sulfate in formula compared to that found in a pesticide. Infant formula has about 60 micrograms and home gardeners use about 57.6 million micrograms per batch. Million is a hard number to imagine, so let’s change it something we all understand, time. If one microgram were one second, then 60 micrograms is similar to one minute. One the other hand the 57.6 million micrograms used by home gardeners is similar 1 year, 10 months, 6 days, and 40 minutes!
This difference in dose is a good reminder that “more is not always better.” Many nutrients are toxic in large amount. If you’re interested in learning more about the recommended daily amounts and upper limits of specific vitamins and minerals across the life cycle, the National Institutes of Health provides a comprehensive list of consumer fact sheets that cover this key information.
Dietary Restrictions
Copper sulfate is appropriate for vegans, vegetarians, and all religious groups.