Industry commitment to providing high quality, safe and age appropriate nutrition for infants and young children

It is essential that infants and young children receive the necessary nutrients at appropriate levels to help set them on a path to a long, healthy life.

For more than a century, the infant and young child nutrition industry has supported proper nutrition during this crucial period of life. Our industry provides high quality, safe and age appropriate nutrition for infants and young children, along with providing resources needed to support healthy growth and development.

While breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for infants, the World Health Organisation recognises that when mothers are unable or choose not to breastfeed, a scientifically-developed formula product is the only suitable and safe alternative.

Specific legislation covering the age appropriate composition, production, labelling and marketing of foods for infants and young children has been set at European level by the European Commission. As a result of this legislation and other UK regulation, the infant formula sector is one of the most tightly regulated food sectors in the world.

Regulatory authorities enforce these legislative requirements, with strict and continuous oversight of all production and marketing activities.

Infant formula manufacturers take great pride in offering a wide range of products that cater to infants and children with different nutritional needs. These products are based on the most up to date scientific research and understanding of infant nutrition, enabling healthcare professionals and parents to choose the most appropriate product for each infant.

Product pricing is affected by many factors, including the extensive research behind infant and toddler nutritional products, the quality of ingredients, as well as the cost of production processes, packaging and ingredients. Likewise, operating and overhead costs impact product pricing. All of these may change from market to market and therefore prices across different countries may vary.

The infant nutrition industry is committed to acting in a responsible, ethical, and professional manner. Our purpose is to provide safe and adequate nutrition for infants. When marketing follow on-formula and young child formula we provide the information necessary to support their safe and proper use.

For more information about the regulation of formula milks, please visit our Infant Nutrition page.