Infant formula can only be described as such if it complies with the compositional requirements as set in in Annex 1 to the 2016 regulations. This specification for infant formula has been designed to satisfy all the nutritional requirements of infants in their first months of life if breastfeeding is not happening, until the introduction of appropriate complementary feeding, such as solid foods.1

The compositional requirements for follow-on formula are set out in Annex 2. Many of the nutrient parameters are the same for infant formula, but there are differences for some specific ingredients.

Formula can be based on proteins derived from animal milks (cow or goat), soya protein isolates (alone or in combination with an animal milk), or from protein hydrolysates.

The principle protein source determines what the product is called:

·       those made purely from cows’ milk and/or goats’ milk proteins can be described as ‘infant milk’ and ‘follow-on milk’

·       products which use other sources of protein (whether or not any animal milk proteins are present) should be called ‘infant formula’ and ‘follow-on formula’.

Energy content levels must be within the range 250kJ to 293kJ/100ml (60 to 70kcal/100ml) for both infant formula and follow-on formula.