Celebrity chef Pete Evans has spoken out about a controversial baby formula recipe from his cookbook 'Bubba Yum Yum: The Paleo Way for new mums, babies and toddlers', which sparked widespread criticism earlier this year. The recipe, a do-it-yourself formula made from liver and bone broth, was branded as potentially dangerous by health experts.
In an interview on Channel Seven's Sunday Night program, Evans addressed the backlash that delayed the book's publication. 'The delay was our publisher got nervous,' he told journalist Mike Willesee. 'They were nervous about how the big retailers would respond to negative publicity.'
Professor Heather Yeatman, president of the Public Health Association of Australia, had warned that the recipe could 'cause the death of an infant'. However, Evans refuted these claims, stating: 'There's no recorded case of harm from that one recipe.' He also noted that the recipe had been in print in America for over 20 years without issue, and that they had halved the amount of liver from the original.
The broth reportedly contains ten times the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A for infants, while lacking other essential nutrients. Further concerns were raised about the inclusion of runny eggs and added salt, which contradict national health guidelines.
The controversy comes as veteran journalist Mike Willesee, who suffered from pulmonary embolisms, embarked on a 10-week Paleo program under Evans' guidance. Willesee admitted his previous diet was irresponsible, saying: 'Three cans of coke most days and ice cream was compulsory.'
