ABSTRACT
Most healthy infants in the UK who are not fully breastfed need a first infant formula throughout the first year of life as their breastmilk substitute (BMS). The majority of infants in the UK will be given a BMS in the first year of life, and some will continue to be given these in the second year and beyond. The World Health Organization defines BMS as any milks that are specifically marketed for feeding infants and young children up to the age of 3 years, including infant formula, follow-on formula, specialist milks and toddler milks. BMS also include any foods marketed to infants during the first 6 months of life, feeding bottles and teats. Infant formula can be made from cows’ milk or goats’ milk protein, soya protein or hydrolysed proteins. Foods for special medical purposes are also regulated under separate legislation, and this specifies that all products in this category should use under medical supervision.
