The recommendations are included in a scientific opinion on the essential composition of infant and follow-on formulae, which reviews advice provided by the Scientific Committee on Food in 2003, taking into account more recent evidence.
It follows an EFSA opinion published in 2013 on nutrient requirements and dietary intakes of infants and young children in the European Union.
The advice from EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies rests on the principle that formulae must be safe and suitable to meet the nutritional requirements, and promote the growth and development, of infants.
The Panel recommends minimum and maximum levels of energy for infants (up to one year old) of 60 kcal per 100ml of formula and 70kcal per 100ml respectively.
The proposed amounts for fat and carbohydrate do not differ significantly from those in the current regulations. However, the Panel proposes that the maximum for protein be reduced from 3g/100kcal in infant formula and 3.5g/100kcal in follow-on formula to 2.5g/100kcal in formulae (infant and follow-on) based on milk protein, and to 2.8g/100kcal in formulae (infant and follow-on) containing isolated soy protein or hydrolysed protein.
This was because the experts considered there to be no evidence of a physiological need for such high protein intakes, and because current protein intakes are well above requirements.
Source: EFSA
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