Infant formula refers to a food product that
- is designed as nutrition for an infant during the first months, when the baby is not breast fed.
- is sufficient as the only nutrition (except for vitamin D) until the baby starts to eat also solid foods.
Follow on formula refers to a food product that
- is designed as nutrition for an infant over six months of age, when the baby is not breast fed.
- constitutes the primary liquid part of the infant's diet that continuously becomes more balanced, when the baby starts to eat also solid foods
- is not designed for use as a substitute for breast milk for infants under six months of age
The Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127 on infant formulae and follow on formulae prescribes the composition, ingredients, labelling, marketing, sale and other disposal of infant formulae and follow on formulae.
Finnish Food Authority's website provides information about applicable legislation, as well as about requirements for composition and labelling and general safety aspects regarding infant formulae and follow on formulae. Information related to breast feeding and children's nutrition can be found on the website of the National Institute for Health and Welfare (Finland). The website of the National Nutrition Council provides information about nutrition recommendations.
Eating together - food recommendations for families with children