Composition requirements of follow-up formula for 6-12-month-old infants: recommendations of a Chinese expert group.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The Chinese national standard of formula for 6-12-month-old infants (GB 10767- 2010) requires review and revision because it does not correspond to current scientific knowledge and data. The aim of this paper was to summarize the formula composition recommended for 6-12-month-old infants by a Chinese expert group.

METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN

Formula composition recommendations for 6-12-month-old infants were devised by a Chinese expert group based on a detailed systematic review, which included nutrient intake, nutrient content of Chinese women's breast milk, and the latest adequate intake and tolerable upper intake levels, also referencing the Codex Alimentarius recommendations and those of other countries and considering the practice in products on the market.

RESULTS

Compared with current standards, it was recommended that most compositional requirements be modified, including decreasing the maximum energy density from 85 to 75 kcal/100 mL, decreasing the protein content in milk-based formula from 2.9-5.0 g/100 kcal to 1.8-3.5 g/100 kcal, increasing the minimum content of lipids from 2.9 g/100 kcal to 3.5 g/100 kcal, providing the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals (including vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid, vitamin C, biotin, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and iodine), and changing the content of optional components such as taurine, docosahexaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

These nutrient standard modifications based on recent evidence are expected to enhance feeding practices and further guarantee the health of 6-12-month-old infants in China.