Sir.—I write to take issue with the commentary by Finberg1 in the November 1990 issue of AJDC. I do not agree that all infant formulas should have added iron. I say this for two reasons.
First, Finberg seems to assume that iron-fortified formula is the only source of iron for the infant and small child. All the cereals that I (and many others) have our patients start taking at age 2 months are now fortified. Meats are recommended by many of us at 4 months or even earlier. Many foods such as beans, nuts, and raisins have a high iron content. Most bread, macaroni, and spaghetti products are now iron fortified. So infants and toddlers get enough iron without fortifying their formulas.
Second, based on my experience, I disagree that extra iron gives no problems to a baby. Take an infant at 1, 2, or 3 months of