Lipids can be added to increase calorific content, but sesame seed oil or cotton seed oil must not be used. In addition, the trans fatty element should be no more than 3 per cent of total fat content in infant formula or follow-on formula.1

The legislation now makes it mandatory for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid, to be added to infant formula and follow-on formula. It had previously been included in formulas on a voluntary basis under the 2006 Directive, and manufacturers were permitted to include this as a nutritional claim on the label.

As all formula will now contain DHA this claim will be phased out, but those manufacturers continuing to include this on labelling in the interim must make it clear that DHA is mandatory for all infant formula products on the market.

In addition to DHA, linoleic acid, alpha-linoleic acid, and other long chain fatty acids (20 or 22 carbon atoms long) may be added, but the maximum level of linoleic acid has been reduced under the new regulations. In addition, the content of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids should be under 2 per cent of the total fat content for n-6 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (1 per cent of the total fat content for arachidonic acid).

Phospholipids are also are limited, as is erucic acid, a monosaturated omega-9 fatty acid. Concern that the upper limit for erucic acid had been set too high in the 2016 regulations has meant the permitted maximum level has now been lowered to 0.4 per cent of total fat content in all formula.1,3