Call for comment on use of a nutritive substance in infant formula

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is calling for comment on an application to permit the use of a nutritive substance in infant formula products.

Bovine milk fat globule membrane-enriched whey protein concentrate (MFGM-WPC) contains lipids and proteins found in both human and cow milk, which support healthy infant development.

The application proposes using MFGM-WPC as a source of phospholipids in formulas and FSANZ has found it sufficiently similar to human milk for this purpose.

MFGM-WPC is claimed to provide potential health benefits, such as anti-pathogenic effects, immune support and gut microbiome development.

FSANZ’s safety assessment concluded MFGM-WPC poses no safety risk to infants. While breastfeeding is recommended, a safe and nutritious substitute for breast milk is needed for infants who are not breastfed.

All commercially produced infant formula products available in Australia must comply with the composition and safety requirements outlined in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. These regulations are no longer bi-national and the New Zealand Government is responsible for maintaining infant formula product regulations in New Zealand.

To have your say about this proposal, visit the FSANZ Consultation Hub. Submissions close at 6 pm (AEDT) on 6 February 2025.

Image credit: iStock.com/AlasdairJames