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FDA grants first-ever qualified health claim in infant nutrition

May 26th, 2011

Today, Gerber Products Company, a part of the Nestlé family, announced that Gerber® Good Start® milk-based formulas are the first and only infant formulas that meet the criteria for a qualified health claim. Specifically, the FDA concluded that current scientific evidence is appropriate for consideration of a qualified health claim relating to a reduced risk of atopic dermatitis.

The official language from the FDA is as follows:
"For healthy infants who are not exclusively breastfed and who have a family history of allergy, feeding a 100% whey protein partially hydrolyzed infant formula from birth up to 4 months of age instead of a formula containing intact cow's milk proteins may reduce the risk of developing atopic dermatitis throughout the first year of life. FDA has concluded that the relationship between 100% whey protein partially hydrolyzed infant formulas and the reduced risk of atopic dermatitis is uncertain, because there is little scientific evidence for the relationship.

Partially hydrolyzed formulas should not be fed to infants who are allergic to milk or to infants with existing milk allergy symptoms. If you suspect your baby is already allergic to milk, or if your baby is on a special formula for the treatment of allergy, your baby's care and feeding choices should be under a doctor's supervision."

Leading allergy and pediatric organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) have affirmed the potential role of certain hydrolyzed protein infant formulas in reducing the risk of developing atopic dermatitis - particularly in infants with a family history of allergy. It is important to note that partially hydrolyzed infant formulas, including GERBER® GOOD START® formulas, are recommended for routine use in healthy infants, but should not be used to treat children with allergy.

Provided by Gerber Products Company

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