PUBLIC HEALTH
INFANT AND FOLLOW-ON FORMULA: NEW REGULATIONS The regulations for infant formula (IF) and follow-on formula (FoF) are changing and will apply from February next year, which means that formulations are likely to change. HCPs should make themselves familiar with the new regulations so that they can help and support parents.
Naomi Brown Scientific and Regulatory Manager, British Specialist Nutrition Association Ltd (BSNA) Naomi has a First Class Honours degree in Nutritional Science and an MSc in Public Health Nutrition. She has worked in the nutrition industry for several years. www.bsna.co.uk
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Detailed regulations are in place for specialist food products including IF, FoF, food for special medical purposes (FSMPs) and complementary weaning foods. These regulations ensure the safety, quality and high nutritional standards, safeguarding the vulnerable consumers for which these products are intended. Since 2016, IF and FoF have been regulated by the ‘Foods for Specific Groups’ (FSG) framework, specifying the nutritional composition, labelling and health claims. Under the FSG framework, the specific specialist Directive 2006/141/EC on IF and FoF has been updated and will be replaced by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127. This will apply from 22nd February 2020 (except in respect of IF and FoF manufactured from protein hydrolysates to which it shall apply from 21st February 2021). To ensure compliance by 22nd February next year, manufacturers are beginning to implement the required changes with some reformulated products already present in the market. Changes, based on the latest scientific research1 into IF and FoF, are mainly compositional. The addition of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is now a mandatory requirement and a range of 20-50mg/100kcal has now been set. DHA, along with arachidonic acid (ARA), is a long-chain fatty acid present
INFANT NUTRITION INDUSTRY CODE OF PRACTICE
in breastmilk that plays an essential role in early infant development, particularly in the neural tissues of the retina and brain.2 Both DHA and ARA are preferentially transferred to the foetus across the placenta3, their accumulation in the foetal brain mainly takes place during the third trimester and continues at very high rates up until two years of age. Intervention studies have shown the role of DHA supplementation in benefiting cognitive function, visual acuity and immune response.4 Other nutritional changes coming into force include an introduction of a maximum level for alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and small increases in the minimum levels of copper, iodine, selenium, sodium, potassium, chloride, vitamin A and vitamin D. Some nutrients, such as vitamin B6, biotin, vitamin C and vitamin K, had lower minimum levels set. These changes may result in updated nutritional declarations on product labels. Small labelling changes will also occur, such as folic acid to be declared as folate, while the units for niacin and pantothenic acid have changed from μg to mg. Parents may notice a slight difference in the smell, appearance or taste of the products due to these changes. Settling issues may also be noticed, but these should only be temporary and minimal.
The British Specialist Nutrition Association (BSNA) has launched a new Code of Practice for the manufacturers of formula milks in the UK. The Infant Nutrition Industry (INI) Code is designed to shed more light on how the UK infant nutrition industry operates and the high standards that can be expected. For more information on the Code, please visit: www.bsna.co.uk 8
www.NHDmag.com December 2019 / January 2020 - Issue 150
Click here to read the Dec/Jan issue Articles include: • Weaning preterm babies
• Nasogastric tube feeding • Fussy eating in toddlers • Constipation and treatment • Popular liquid diets
• Plant-based diets • Care caterers in social care • Follow-on formula new regulations