Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition Requirements
Requirements for iron and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of infant formula varies by country. Powdered full-term infant formula purchase data from all major physical stores in the US between 2017–2019 were obtained from CIRCANA, Inc. Iron and DHA composition and scoop sizes for each formula were...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-04-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/8/1812 |
| _version_ | 1797604038127124480 |
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| author | Alexander Strzalkowski Grace Black Bridget E. Young |
| author_facet | Alexander Strzalkowski Grace Black Bridget E. Young |
| author_sort | Alexander Strzalkowski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Requirements for iron and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of infant formula varies by country. Powdered full-term infant formula purchase data from all major physical stores in the US between 2017–2019 were obtained from CIRCANA, Inc. Iron and DHA composition and scoop sizes for each formula were obtained from manufacturers. The equivalent liquid ounces of prepared formula were calculated. Average iron and DHA content were compared between formula types and to both US and European formula composition requirements. These data represent 55.8 billion ounces of formula. The average iron content of all formula purchased was: 1.80 mg/100 kcal. This iron concentration is within the FDA regulations. However, it exceeds the maximum allowable iron concentration of infant formula (Stage 1) set by the European Commission of 1.3 mg/100 kcal. A total of 96% of formula purchased had an iron concentration of >1.3 mg/100 kcal. DHA is not a required ingredient in US formulas. The average DHA content of all formula purchased was: 12.6 mg/100 kcal. This DHA concentration is far below the minimum required DHA concentrations of infant formula (Stage 1) and follow-on formula (Stage 2) set by the European Commission of 20 mg/100 kcal. These are novel insights into the iron and DHA intake of formula-fed infants in the US. As international infant formulas have entered the US market due to the formula shortage, parents and providers need to be aware of regulatory differences in formula nutrient composition. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:40:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-92fcb493ab6f4bf196c65aa29fd3b9e4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T04:40:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-92fcb493ab6f4bf196c65aa29fd3b9e42023-11-17T20:44:49ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432023-04-01158181210.3390/nu15081812Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition RequirementsAlexander Strzalkowski0Grace Black1Bridget E. Young2Department of Pediatrics, Complex Care Service, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USADepartment of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Breastfeeding and Lactation Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY 14642, USARequirements for iron and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of infant formula varies by country. Powdered full-term infant formula purchase data from all major physical stores in the US between 2017–2019 were obtained from CIRCANA, Inc. Iron and DHA composition and scoop sizes for each formula were obtained from manufacturers. The equivalent liquid ounces of prepared formula were calculated. Average iron and DHA content were compared between formula types and to both US and European formula composition requirements. These data represent 55.8 billion ounces of formula. The average iron content of all formula purchased was: 1.80 mg/100 kcal. This iron concentration is within the FDA regulations. However, it exceeds the maximum allowable iron concentration of infant formula (Stage 1) set by the European Commission of 1.3 mg/100 kcal. A total of 96% of formula purchased had an iron concentration of >1.3 mg/100 kcal. DHA is not a required ingredient in US formulas. The average DHA content of all formula purchased was: 12.6 mg/100 kcal. This DHA concentration is far below the minimum required DHA concentrations of infant formula (Stage 1) and follow-on formula (Stage 2) set by the European Commission of 20 mg/100 kcal. These are novel insights into the iron and DHA intake of formula-fed infants in the US. As international infant formulas have entered the US market due to the formula shortage, parents and providers need to be aware of regulatory differences in formula nutrient composition.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/8/1812infant formulahuman milkirondocosahexaenoic acid |
| spellingShingle | Alexander Strzalkowski Grace Black Bridget E. Young Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition Requirements Nutrients infant formula human milk iron docosahexaenoic acid |
| title | Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition Requirements |
| title_full | Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition Requirements |
| title_fullStr | Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition Requirements |
| title_full_unstemmed | Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition Requirements |
| title_short | Iron and DHA in Infant Formula Purchased in the US Fails to Meet European Nutrition Requirements |
| title_sort | iron and dha in infant formula purchased in the us fails to meet european nutrition requirements |
| topic | infant formula human milk iron docosahexaenoic acid |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/8/1812 |
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