Labelling must include the amount of each mineral and vitamin listed in annexes to the regulations. However, the expression of nutrition information on the energy value and the amount of nutrients of infant formula as a percentage of daily reference intake values could mislead consumers and therefore is not allowed.1

For follow-on formula the case is different as it is intended to form only part of an infant’s nutritional intake. For that reason, and to ensure comparisons with other foods that can be included in the diet of such infants, the expression of nutrition information for follow-on formula as a percentage of daily reference intake values is allowed.

This is not the standard levels used for general foodstuffs as infants have different nutritional needs to adults. Instead, follow-on formula labelling is only allowed to express nutrition information as a percentage of specific reference intakes that are appropriate for the intended age group.