Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the nutrition quality of the commercial infant formulas and to seek the solution to the establishment of the standard of nutrient requirements for infant formula in Korea. Nutrition informations were obtained from the labels of nineteen commercial infant formulas manufactured by 3 different companies, and the actual amounts of some nutrients were analyzed and compared to the labeled amounts. In addition, the nutrient composition of the commercial infant formulas was compared to the composition of breast milk, RDA for infants, and Codex standard for infant formula. The kind of minerals, vitamins and special components added to the commercial infant formulas were the major differences among 3 manufacturers. For some nutrients, the analyzed amounts were lower than the labeled amounts. In addition when different batches of the same kind of infant formula were analyzed, the large variations in the amounts of certain nutrients were noted. These data suggest that the nutrition labeling informations need to be validated, and nutrients added to the formulas are to be homogenized thoroughly. In order to solve these problems, therefore, like other countries, we need to establish the standard of nutrient requirements for infant formulas. Considering the available data on breast milk composition, RDA for infants and coordination with the international standard, we suggest the adoption of the Codex standard for infant formula may be the best way to manage the nutrition quality of commercial infant formulas at the present time.

• Keywords: infant; infant formula; codex; nutrient requirements; nutrition labeling;