Scientific Opinion on the essential composition of infant and follow-on formulae

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the essential composition of infant and follow-on formula. This opinion reviews the opinion provided by the Scientific Committee on Food in 2003 on the essential requirements of infant and follow-on formulae in light of more recent evidence and by considering the Panel's opinion of October 2013 on nutrient requirements and dietary intakes of infants and young children in the European Union. The minimum content of a nutrient in formula proposed in this opinion is derived from the intake levels the Panel had considered adequate for the majority of infants in the first six months of life in its previous opinion and an average amount of formula consumed during this period. From a nutritional point of view, the minimum contents of nutrients in infant and follow-on formula proposed by the Panel cover the nutritional needs of virtually all healthy infants born at term and there is no need to exceed these amounts in formulae, as nutrients which are not used or stored have to be excreted and this may put a burden on the infant's metabolism. Therefore, the Panel emphasises that maximum amounts should be interpreted not as target values but rather as upper limits of a range which should not be exceeded. There is scientific consensus that breast milk is the preferred food for all healthy infants and provides an adequate supply of all nutrients to support growth and development (with the exception of vitamin K during the first weeks of life and of vitamin D). Whereas the composition of infant formula remains stable over time, breast milk composition changes continuously and therefore infant formula cannot imitate breast milk. © EuropeanAll formulae intended for infants must be safe and suitable to meet the nutritional requirements and promote growth and development of infants born at term when used as a sole source of nutrition during the first months of life, and when used as the principal liquid element in a progressively diversified diet after the introduction of appropriate complementary feeding. Nutrients and substances should be added to formulae for infants only in amounts that serve a nutritional or other benefit. The addition in amounts higher than those serving a benefit or the inclusion of unnecessary substances in formulae may put a burden on the infant's metabolism and/or on other physiological functions, as substances which are not used or stored have to be excreted.The minimum content of a nutrient in formula proposed in this opinion is derived from the intake levels the Panel had considered adequate for the majority of infants in the first half of the first year of life in its previous opinion and an average amount of daily energy intake from formula during this period (500 kcal/day). These minimum amounts should be understood as target values which cover the nutritional needs of virtually all infants born at term for optimal growth and devel...

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