Proper nutrition in infants reduces morbidity and mortality, reduces the risk of chronic disease, and promotes mental and physical development. However, according to a recent international study, many of the health and nutrition claims made on infant formula are not supported by science.
Breast milk is known to be the best option when feeding infants. However, some women cannot or should not breastfeed for medical or social reasons and have to resort to infant formula. It is important that the infant formula you choose provides optimal nutritional benefits.
A recent international survey found Australia, Canada, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Researchers examined claims linking the product or ingredients in it to beneficial effects related to infant health, growth and development. has been identified.
Of the products that made one or more claims, 53% claimed to “help/support brain and/or eye and/or nervous system development” and 39% “strengthen/support a healthy immune system.” ‘, with 37% claiming that the formula “helps/supports growth and development.”
Researchers are concerned that 74% of the products lacked scientific evidence to support specific health claims.
Where products provide scientific references, more than half (56%) refer to reviews, opinion sheets, or animal studies, not human studies. Only 14% mentioned prospectively enrolled clinical trials. Prospective enrollment is the process by which researchers publicly specify trial details before enrolling participants. In 88% of cases, the enrolled trials were funded by the infant formula industry or an entity directly related to the industry.
It is easy to see how and why parents and caregivers might reasonably rely on the claims of infant formulas. It is reasonable for them to assume that
In 1981, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a code of conduct for the marketing of breast milk substitutes. The Code seeks to regulate the marketing of infant formula and was created in response to a move by the infant formula industry to favor formula over breastfeeding.
Enforcement of the Code of Conduct is voluntary. Governments around the world are being asked to ensure that they provide “objective and consistent” information on infant nutrition, but they are not required to adopt legislation to enforce the code.
This lack of consistency and oversight appears to be supported by current research, and the results have clear ethical implications. We believe no, and recommend more scrutiny when making specific health and nutrition claims about formulas.
They are urging governments and regulators to consider unsubstantiated health claims such as those seen in the study.
“Based on this research, governments and regulators should take the necessary time and care to review formula dairy claims and the evidence provided, thereby protecting infants and parents from commercial interests.” WHO’s Dr Nigel Rollins wrote: Opinions accompanying the research.
The conclusion of the current research is that when choosing infant formulas, it is important for parents and caregivers to ensure that their health and nutrition claims are substantiated by scientific research.
This research BMJMore.
Source: Imperial College London via Scimex
