New regulations on iodine in infant formula

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is amending the Food Regulations 1985 to include recommended minimum and maximum iodine content for infant formula.

Health Ministry senior director for Food Safety and Quality Noraini Othman said that currently, there was no minimum level of iodine specified for infant formula under the regulations.

She, however, added that the regulations on infant formula was being amended, involving the current Re­-gu­­lation 389 (Baby Formula) and the new Regulation 389B Baby For­mula for the Purpose of Treatment.

Regulation 389 Baby Formula will recommend an amount of 10 microgramme/100kcal as the minimum level of iodine while the maximum will be set at 60 microgramme/100kcal.

“The recommendation is in line with the Codex Alimentarius/Stan­dard for Infant Formula,” she said.

Regulation 389B Baby Formula for the Purpose of Treatment will be divided into five categories – baby formula for anti-regurgitation, baby formula without lactose, soy-based baby formula, completely dehydrolysed protein baby formula and baby formula for premature babies.

The recommended level of iodine for this category will be the same as Regulation 389, except for premature baby formula, where the recommended minimum level is 10microgramme/100kcal and maximum 50 microgramme/100kcal.