Infant formulae and follow on formulae shall be nutritious and safe.
- The composition shall meet the nutritional needs of the infant.
- They may not contain any substance in an amount that would cause a health hazard to the infant.
- All the substances used in the manufacture of the formulae shall be suitable for infants and utilisable by infants, and shall have a nutritional or physiological effect.
Strict criteria for quality and purity have been specified for the raw materials used in the manufacture of infant formulae and follow on formulae. For example, the permissible levels of pesticide residues and chemical contaminants, such as heavy metals, in infant formulae and follow on formulae are laid down in legislation.
In order to protect the health of infants, the vitamins, minerals and certain other substances that may be used in infant formulae and follow on formulae are specified in the regulations.