Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. receives scientific endorsement from EFSA

EVANSVILLE, Ind. Mead Johnson Nutrition Company announced Wednesday that it is the first infant formula manufacturer to receive scientific endorsement for a health claim on infant formula by the European Food Safety Authority.

The EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies recently published their favorable opinion for a health claim on docosahexaenoic acid and the visual development of infants. The NDA agreed that the scientific evidence submitted by Mead Johnson supported the statement that “DHA contributes to the visual development of infants.”

To bear this claim, the NDA panel stated that a formula should contain at least 0.3% of the total fatty acids DHA. The EFSA opinion said, “the panel could not have reached this conclusion without considering the studies claimed by the applicant [Mead Johnson] as proprietary.”

To date, this is the only positive EFSA opinion on a Health Claim for infants under the new 2006 European Commission Regulations, which restricts the use of health claims on foods, including foods for infants and young children, without EFSA endorsement of the scientific evidence and adoption by the European Commission. Only health claims compliant with this new regulation will be allowed in the European Union.

“Mead Johnson is extremely pleased with EFSA’s positive opinion,” stated Dirk Hondmann, SVP global research and development for Mead Johnson. “Their opinion recognizes the value and quality of our long-standing strategy of investing in pediatric nutrition research and development, and it exemplifies our mission to create nutritional brands and products trusted to give infants and children the best start in life.”