Food Additives in Infant Formula
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Food Additives in Infant Formula
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Interesting Topics
Food Additives in Infant Formula
Table of Content
- Emulsifiers
- Additives
- What emulsifiers are permitted in infant formula and at what levels?
- What acidity regulators are in infant formula?
- Are Starch based thickener's permitted in infant formula?
- What antioxidants are allowed in infant formula?
- Can phosphate salts be added to infant formulas?
- What are the Conditions for labeling a product as infant milk food?
EMULSIFIERS
Definition:
Substances which help the formation of stable mixtures of two immiscible liquids such as oil and water are called emulsifiers. They reduce the surface tension between the liquids and allow them to form a uniform mixture, called an emulsion. Common emulsifiers include lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, and polysorbates.
Why they are added:
Emulsifiers are added to enhance the stability, texture, and consistency of a product and to avoid separation of the ingredient while increasing shelf life and providing smoother textures in food products like salad dressings, mayonnaise, and ice creams. [1]
ADDITIVES
Definition:
Substances that are added to foods and drinks during their processing to maintain or improve their safety, freshness, taste, and appearance, and nutritional value are termed additives. It includes preservatives, colorants, and flavor enhancers, sweeteners, and stabilizers.
Why they are added:
Additives are added for a myriad of reasons, such as extending shelf-life, improving taste and texture, enhancing appearance, maintaining consistency in quality, and conforming with the regulatory requirements concerning food safety and nutritional quality. [2]
What emulsifiers are permitted in infant formula and at what levels?
Permissible emulsifiers and their limits:
Additive | INS No. | Max Level (per 100 ml Ready-to-Drink) | Reference |
Lecithin | 322 | 0.5 g in all types of infant formula* | Page 11 |
Mono-/Diglycerides | 471 | 0.4 g in all types of infant formula* | Page 11 |
Citric & fatty acid esters of glycerol | 472c | 0.9 g (liquid), 0.75 g (powdered) | Page 11 |
*If both INS 322 and 471 are used, each level must be adjusted proportionately.
Reference: FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. (2024, January 4). Infant Formula Additive List – Page 1, Additive Table (Version-II).
Which acidity regulators are allowed in infant formula?
Additive | INS No. | Max Limit | Reference |
Sodium hydroxide | 524 | 0.2 g (combined with others) | Page 11 |
Sodium hydrogen carbonate | 500ii | Combined limit applies | Page 11 |
Sodium carbonate | 500i | Combined limit applies | Page 11 |
Potassium hydrogen carbonate | 501ii | Combined limit applies | Page 11 |
Potassium carbonate | 501i | Combined limit applies | Page 11 |
Potassium hydroxide | 525 | Combined limit applies | Page 11 |
Calcium hydroxide | 526 | Combined limit applies | Page 11 |
L(+) Lactic acid | 270 | GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) | Page 11 |
Citric acid | 330 | GMP | Page 11 |
Sodium dihydrogen citrate | 331i | GMP | Page 11 |
Trisodium citrate | 331iii | GMP | Page 11 |
Potassium citrate | 332 | GMP | Page 11 |
All are allowed within sodium, potassium, calcium limits under provision (g) of sub-regulation 7(1).
Reference: FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. (2024, January 4). Infant Formula Additive List – Page 11, Additive Table (Version-II).
Are starch-based thickeners permitted in infant formula?
Starch Type | INS No. | Formula Type | Max Limit/100 ml | Reference |
Distarch phosphate | 1412 | Soy-based formula | 0.5 g | Page 10 |
|
| Hydrolysed/amino acid-based formula | 2.5 g | Page 10 |
Acetylated distarch phosphate | 1414 | Same as above | As above | Page 10 |
Phosphated distarch phosphate | 1413 | Same as above | As above | Page 10 |
Hydroxypropyl starch | 1440 | Same as above | As above | Page 10 |
Carrageenan | 407 | Regular/soy liquid formula | 0.03 g | Page 10 |
|
| Hydrolysed protein/amino acid formula (liquid) | 0.1 g | Page 10 |
Reference: FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. (2024, January 4). Infant Formula Additive List – Page 10, Additive Table (Version-II).
What antioxidants are allowed in infant formula?
Antioxidant | INS No. | Max Limit/100 ml | Reference |
Mixed tocopherol concentrate | 307b | 1 mg (singly or combined) | Page 12 |
Ascorbyl palmitate | 304i | 1 mg (singly or combined) | Page 12 |
Reference: FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. (2024, January 4). Infant Formula Additive List – Page 12, Additive Table (Version-II).
Can phosphate salts be added to infant formulas?
Phosphate Type | INS No. | Limit | Reference |
Sodium phosphates (mono, di, tri) | 339 i, ii, iii | 45 mg phosphorus per 100 ml | Page 12 |
Potassium phosphates (mono, di, tri) | 340 i, ii, iii | 45 mg phosphorus per 100 ml | Page 12 |
Must comply with sodium, potassium, phosphorus limits under sub-regulation 7(1)(g).
Reference: FSSAI – Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. (2024, January 4). Infant Formula Additive List – Page 12, Additive Table (Version-II).
