’Growing-up’ formula: No additional value to a balanced diet, says EFSA

The European Food Safety Authority, on 25 October 2013, issued a Scientific Opinion on nutrient requirements and dietary intakes of infants and young children in the European Union.

EFSA's Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)concluded that the use of milk-based 'growing-up' formula did not bring additional value to a balanced diet in meeting the nutritional requirements of young children in the European Union.

The Panel also provided advice on how dietary requirements of infants and young children evolve during the first three years of life and established the levels of nutrients which it considered adequate for the majority of healthy, normal-weight infants and young children.

EFSA will follow up its opinion with a second opinion – to be published in 2014 – that will provide advice to the Commission on the essential composition of formulae.