FSANZ calls for comment on infant formula trio

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is requesting feedback regarding an application to combine three oligosaccharides for infant formula.

The three oligosaccharides are 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) produced by Chr. Hansen, and galacto-oligosaccharide (GOS) and inulin-type fructan (ITF) made by Nutricia. 2’-FL has recently been approved for use in infant formula, and GOS and ITF have long been used, but their combination in one product is not currently allowed. Luckily, these prior approvals show that there are no health problems and a safety assessment of the combined triumvirate of ingredients did not uncover anything to be concerned about either.

The combination would serve to improve the nutritional quality and developmental benefit of infant formula, with the addition of the ingredients bringing the formula milk closer towards the chemical profile of breast milk.

The GOS and ITF ingredients have a prebiotic effect, while 2’-FL is identical to the most common oligosaccharide found in human milk, and acts to reduce infection and provide bifidogenic effects (that is, it encourages the growth of a particular kind of bacteria) to formula.

FSANZ is taking submissions from interested parties until 6:00 pm 19 August. Go to this page to submit feedback and look at the relevant documents here.

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