Infant formula
Rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
Infant formula is included in the plan of work of the rolling revision of the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.
Background
WHO Headquarters received a written communication suggesting that WHO should render a rough guidance for the dimensions of acceptable intakes of essential elements in infant formula for the first six months of life. It was noted that for certain chemicals (e.g., manganese, molybdenum), drinking-water may be a significant contributor to overall intake, particularly for formula-fed infants. Reconstitution of infant formula with drinking-water may in some cases lead to “overnutrition” — in other words, the use of drinking-water at the guideline values for various minerals may lead to an exceedance of the nutritional requirements.
Expected end-product(s)
Not known at this time.
Progress to date
This was one of the subjects of an Expert Workshop on Nutrient Minerals in Drinking-water held in Rome in November 2003. The Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Working Group meeting (Geneva, 2004) decided that it would need input from the WHO Nutrition Group before deciding whether to undertake this initiative. The Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality Working Group meeting (Geneva, 2005) agreed on a revised plan of work to begin discussion.