Celebrity Chef’s ‘Paleo for Babies’ Book On Hold Over Infant-Death Fears

The publication of a paleo cookbook for babies, co-authored by Australian celebrity chef Pete Evans, has been delayed after health professionals expressed grave concerns over some of the recipes.

Bubba Yum Yum: The Paleo Way features a DIY baby-milk formula made from chicken liver and bone broth, reports the Australian Women’s Weekly. Health experts have slammed the formula, which contains no milk products, saying it could seriously harm a child’s development.

“In my view, there’s a very real possibility that a baby may die if this book goes ahead,” said Heather Yeatman, president of the Public Health Association of Australia.

The formula reportedly contains more than 10 times the safe maximum intake of vitamin A and unsuitable levels of other nutrients for babies. Experts are concerned that parents will falsely believe it is a safe alternative to breast milk.

“That’s the really troubling thing: the infant is totally at the whim of their parents when it comes to feeding,” says Yeatman. “If the wrong decision is made, they may be seriously affected.”

In a paleo diet, dairy, grains and pulses are banned and only organic meat and vegetables are eaten. Health officials concerned over the nutritional value of some of the dishes warn about the ramifications of limiting a child’s diet.

Other recipes for young children in the book fail to meet national health guidelines as they contain runny eggs and added salt.

Bubba Yum Yum does feature a disclaimer saying, “although we in good faith believe that the information provided will help you live a healthier life, relying on the information contained in this publication may not give you the results you desire or may cause negative health consequences.”

Australia’s Department of Health is scrutinizing the book.

[Australian Women’s Weekly]